Affordable Jeonju Hanok Village stay: Gukhwa room, Haetsalgadeuk

Haetsalgadeuk at a glance: a hanok stay in Jeonju Hanok Village

Haetsalgadeuk, an atmospheric hanok stay in Jeonju Hanok Village, is located at 97-24 Hyanggyo-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk. The room I stayed in this time was the Gukhwa room.

Jeonju stay, Jeonju hanok heartfelt stay, Jeonju guesthouse

Today I wanted to introduce a place to anyone looking for a stay in Jeonju Hanok Village. It's Haetsalgadeuk, famous for its heartfelt hanok lodging! If you've ever visited Jeonju Hanok Village, you've probably thought at least once that you'd love to spend a night in a hanok. I felt the same way, but once I actually started looking, prices varied so much that it was hard to decide where to go.

So this time I wanted to write a really thorough review of staying in Jeonju Hanok Village. A hanok feels quite different in photos versus staying there in person, right? So I tried to take in everything, from the moment I walked in to the moment I left. That might make today's review a bit long, but I'd appreciate it if you read all the way through.

The courtyard and old country-house door down the Hyanggyo-gil alley

Haetsalgadeuk sits right inside Jeonju Hanok Village, so even walking down the alley toward it felt like being on a trip. The pretty eaves line, so distinctive of a hanok, made a warm first impression.

As soon as I walked in, the courtyard caught my eye! It was really neatly maintained. The whole stay felt lovingly cared for, so I felt good from the moment I stepped in. The door was memorable too.

It was exactly like the doors you'd see in an old country house, so I found myself staring at it for quite a while! "Heartfelt" is really the word for that door. A lot of people also worry about bathrooms in a hanok, but this place has a private bathroom in each room, which made things easy.

I felt like this would suit couples or friends on a heartfelt trip, or people coming with their parents for a hanok experience. If you love taking photos, the courtyard and the old door are also great spots for a keepsake shot. This time, the room I stayed in was the Gukhwa room.

What is the Gukhwa room like for one night?

What struck me most during my night in the Gukhwa room at Haetsalgadeuk was that you can have both atmosphere and value here. Stepping into the Gukhwa room, I could feel the cozy character unique to a hanok right away. A lot of stays these days are clean but lack personality, so I appreciated that the charm of a hanok was still alive here. I think it's this kind of feeling that keeps drawing me back to hanok stays.

Honestly, I had assumed a heartfelt stay like this would come with a high price tag. Haetsalgadeuk broke that assumption. Getting both the atmosphere and saving on budget meant I could spend more of my travel money elsewhere, which was nice.

Room prices can vary by date and season, so be sure to check before booking! From what I found in other reviews, they also have things like hanbok rental and yoga mats available. Stopping by the stay to rest partway through a walk around the village would also suit this place well.

Planning your day around Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Jeondong Cathedral

Jeonju Hanok Village has a lot of walkable sights nearby, like Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Jeondong Cathedral. If you plan your day around walking the alleys during the day and coming back to rest at the stay in the evening, I think you'd get an even better feel for the charm of a hanok stay.

To sum up, if you're considering a stay in Jeonju Hanok Village, the Gukhwa room at Haetsalgadeuk is worth a look. I'd especially recommend it to people who want to enjoy a heartfelt hanok stay at good value, or who want to rest quietly somewhere with a pretty courtyard.

The three things that stuck with me most from this stay were the courtyard, the door, and the private bathroom. If you're looking for a heartfelt stay, I think these three things alone would be enough to satisfy you. I'd recommend taking a slow look around the courtyard first when you arrive.

What to know before booking Haetsalgadeuk

I looked around the courtyard before even unpacking, and it made the start of the trip feel much more relaxed. One tip: car access to Jeonju Hanok Village may be restricted during weekend or holiday daytime hours.

• If you're coming by car, it's much more convenient to check parking and access hours in advance
• Because it's a hanok, small bugs or humidity can occur in summer
• Weekends and holidays tend to book up quickly, so reserve early once your dates are set

On my way out, I was a bit sorry I'd only stayed one night.

Next time I'd love to stay two nights or so and walk the hanok village at a slower pace. If I look for a stay in Jeonju Hanok Village again, I think I'd choose this kind of heartfelt hanok once more.

Is Haetsalgadeuk worth it? Final verdict

For anyone who wants a heartfelt hanok stay with good value for one night, I'd recommend Haetsalgadeuk. Its biggest strength is that the well-kept courtyard and the nostalgic door let you really feel the atmosphere of a hanok.