I was recently invited to stay a night at Obladi Pool Resort, in Paju, South Korea. Overall, I had a great evening, and look forward to returning for another stay in the future!
About Obladi
Obladi is what is often referred to as a ‘pension’. These are vacation rentals in Korea, and they come with everything you need for a relaxing stay. These places are great for family gatherings, a weekend away with friends, or even a romantic getaway.
Obladi can be reached in under an hour from the center of Seoul. With the completion of the Seoul Munsan Expressway in 2020, you’ll be able to travel from Gangnam to Paju in just 30 minutes.
Obladi has a number of different room types, each with a different rate, but many commonalities. Each room has a different Beatles-themed name, including the Ringo, the Lennon, the McCartney, the Harrison, and the Liverpool.
The resort has everything travelers need, including a cafe, a convenience store, a communal pool, and 2 KM walking trail around the grounds of the villa. The convenience store is self-service, and has basic snacks, drinks, ramen, beer, and ice cream.
I stayed in January 2020, when the weather wasn’t the greatest. I was told that the grounds of the resort boast some great flowers and trees in Spring and Summer. However, since I visited in the Winter, I wasn’t able to see these.
The Room
For this stay, I was housed in a Ringo room (room 11). This room is huge! It is a 2-story private villa, and is a whopping 60 pyeong (200 square meters!). It can comfortably sleep at least 8 humans (and a few canines as well!)
I stayed in a dog-friendly room (though not all rooms are set up to accommodate dogs, so be sure to reserve the desired room). What’s especially great is that Obladi provides all the necessities for your dogs to have a great time, including a dog bed, water/food bowls, pee pads, and even a dog hair drying machine! They also supply dog life vests to make sure your dogs are safe while swimming.
Speaking of swimming – that’s the highlight of the resort! Each room comes with its own private, heated pool! It is directly attached to the bathroom, as well as the outside terrace. The pool is a decent sized, and is covered in the winter, to ensure you can enjoy it all year around. The water is specially treated so that it is safe for dogs.
The room also has a nice sized Jacuzzi on the second floor, with a smaller balcony (suitable for smokers, as well as offering great views of the nearby area).
The BBQ terrace is another key feature of the pension. Be sure to bring your own meats and veggies, and enjoy a lovely cook out. Call the front desk, and they will deliver charcoal. The kitchen provides all the utensils, rice cookers, and dishes that you need for a great meal.
The Verdict
Overall, I had a fantastic time staying at this hotel. It is easy to reach from Seoul, yet far away enough from the hustle and bustle of the city so you can relax comfortably.
The fact that you’re able to bring your dogs is another huge plus! There aren’t many places in Korea where you’re able to bring your dogs for a day of bonding and fun. Even if you don’t have a fur baby, don’t worry, as you’ll still be able to have a great time hanging out with the human companions of your choice!
To see a vlog of my time at Obladi, click here to watch on YouTube!
Disclaimer – I was invited to stay at Obladi for the purpose of creating the YouTube video. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
Tastes Seoul Good 