Our first overnight trip with Sojung, our baby, took us to An Island Pension Anmyeondo in February 2018. For a baby who had never slept away from home, mom and dad were the excited ones.
The pension sits in Anmyeondo, a bit away from the beach on purpose: we figured the winter sea would be freezing, and we had heard this place had plenty to do.
It shares the grounds with the Artica Resort, so finding the entrance took some wandering. This is what the entrance looks like, so you will not get lost like we did.
For the price, it was generous: a pool inside and huge rooms. A weekend rate this cheap, even off-season, felt unreal. It called itself a pension but felt like a resort. It was cold, so we hurried inside and saw the pension buildings through the window.
With a baby, we skipped the big rooms and beds and took the ondol duplex.
The ondol floor was toasty, almost burning our bottoms. A heating panel let us turn the temperature up and down, which was convenient.
The bathroom was small but fine for three. The duplex could sleep four without trouble.
It had everything: rice cooker, induction stove, microwave, fridge.
Bowls, frying pans, plates, even soju glasses, thoughtfully.
There were baskets and trays too.
A Rinnai unit I did not recognize turned out to be the hot water supply, according to my husband.
Upstairs had its own boiler, so the second floor was warm too. Duplexes are usually cold upstairs, but here the heating panel kept it toasty.
The second-floor wall had a TV and an air conditioner. Summer visits would be cool and comfortable.
The view down to the first floor from the second. I slept upstairs with Sojung.
My husband slept alone downstairs.
The bathroom was small but clean, with shampoo, rinse, body wash, a dryer, and plenty of towels. We arrived after 5, just in time for dinner. We wanted to grill meat, but it was cold outside. No worries, though.
There was an indoor grilling spot with ducts so you could grill without freezing. But on our visit they were replacing the ducts, so we grilled elsewhere. On a normal day you could grill right next to the room building.
No worries again: just up the hill there was a tent-like winter shelter. It blocked the wind and vented the smoke, with a huge stove in the middle. We grilled there.
The owner brought a torch and charcoal and lit the fire. Time to grill for real.
My husband had smartly brought vegetables and pajeon.
And pork ribs. He always handles the prep when we travel, which makes my life easy.
As the fire caught, it was time to grill.
We had only brought pork ribs, but the owner served us samgyeopsal on the house. Turns out the owner is my age. A young couple with a baby one year older than Sojung. Instant warmth.
Charcoal-grilled meat is the only real way.
Oh, no kimchi? They brought kimchi too. The owner’s service was amazing.
A dinner full of kindness.
Dinner itself was pure happiness. My husband was in a good mood and drank I lost count of how many soju bottles. We came to play, so I let him be. Day one was eating and playing, and the real fun started the next day. The biggest reason we chose An Island Pension Anmyeondo was the mountain biking and horse riding. All free. In summer you could use the pool too. Behind the pension building is the activity area.
Oh, a mini zoo too? What is this pension? An Island Pension Anmyeondo really has it all for a family getaway.
We saved the zoo for later. Around it were rocking chairs and swings for little kids.
Time to ride the bikes. There were so many bikes. I could not ride because of Sojung, so only my husband rode. I like bikes too, though.
These were not flimsy bikes but the real thing. Helmets were ready for safety, and riding helmets and gear were ready too.
And get this: all of it free.
First, the bikes. Helmets on properly. The pension owner and the bike boss, the instructor, rode along for safety.
Every piece of gear got a safety check.
Four bikes were set to depart. “Ride safe, honey!”
I waved them off from behind, taking photos and wishing them a safe ride.
Off went the four bikes. From here, the photos are my husband’s. I did not go.
He said the course was unreal, the best mountain bike course he had seen. Thrilling and fun, he raved afterward. I believed it when I saw the photos.
Riding on, they reached a spot with a wide-open sea view.
I wish I could have followed along if not for Sojung. Such a shame.
The course twisted and turned, with cliff-like drops, and even serious mountain bikers come here satisfied, he said. He said it felt like a video game. I waited at the pension cafe with Sojung, preparing photos for a stroller post. After a long while, the four riders reappeared. Then more exploring.
There was a trampoline, the bouncy kind from our childhood. Kids would lose track of time here. The owner offered free horse riding too, but we said we would ride next time and just looked around.
Horse riding is taught by a pro instructor, not an amateur.
This is where the horses practice, and outside is the real riding course.
There is a pool too. It was not cleaned up yet, but from May it opens for summer. They said it would be cleaned by then.
A summer visit would be lovely too. Really lovely.
And finally, the mini zoo.
Baby animals and cute animals inside.
Cute goats, rabbits, birds, cats, and dogs. You can even feed them. Great for families with babies. We had a wonderful stay at An Island Pension Anmyeondo, and the free activities made An Island Pension Anmyeondo feel like great value.
We told the owner we would come back in summer, and he said anytime. Thank you to the kind owners of An Island Pension and Artica Resort. Our family of three had a happy time. We would happily return to An Island Pension Anmyeondo in summer.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in February 2018 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.