Busan's BEST Hotel? Ramada Encore Haeundae Review! (You WON'T Believe This!)
Busan's BEST Hotel? Ramada Encore Haeundae Review! (You WON'T Believe This!)
Busan's Best Hotel Hunt: Did the Ramada Encore Haeundae Blow Me Away? (Spoiler: Kinda!)
Okay, folks, buckle up because I'm about to tell you my unfiltered, slightly chaotic, and definitely opinionated take on the Ramada Encore Haeundae in Busan. I went in expecting your standard, reliable hotel experience, and… well, let's just say it was a rollercoaster. Prepare for rambling tangents, hot takes, and the kind of honesty you usually only find scribbled in a travel journal after glass (or two) of soju.
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Metadata: Hotel Review, Travel, Busan, Haeundae, Ramada Encore, Accessibility, Spa, Pool, Dining, Safety, Cleanliness.
Let's Dive In: The Good, the Bad, and the "Wait, What?"
First off, the location: Haeundae Beach. You cannot beat it. The hotel is practically on the beach. That's a massive win right out of the gate. Waking up and seeing that expansive, shimmering ocean? Priceless. Literally, because I paid for it. 😉
Accessibility: This is where things started to get interesting. Because let's be real, accessibility is a HUGE thing for many travelers. The hotel boasts Facilities for disabled guests, and an Elevator is a given. Nice. However, navigating the lobby felt a little…clunky. Not like it's a maze, but I could see it potentially being a mild inconvenience for someone with mobility issues. More specifically, the distance from the registration to elevators was a little too long. The hotel is also very close to the beach, which is very helpful to access it, the hotel is accessible.
Internet, Internet, Internet (and the Wi-Fi Saga):
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hooray! And you know what? It mostly worked. I say "mostly" because there were a couple of times where I had a mini-meltdown trying to upload those stunning beach pics (it was worth it, though, right?). Internet access – LAN is also available, which, let's face it, is a relic of the past for most of us, but hey, options are good. Wi-Fi in public areas was also solid, which is crucial. Seriously, in the modern age, bad Wi-Fi is a travel deal-breaker. It's right up there with a leaky faucet and a lumpy mattress.
Cleanliness and That Whole "Pandemic" Thing:
Okay, I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge!), so the emphasis on Cleanliness and safety was critical for me. They went HARD on this. Hand sanitizer everywhere, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. I felt pretty confident that they were taking things seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products and Professional-grade sanitizing services were a comforting touch. The Staff trained in safety protocol seemed genuinely aware and vigilant. They've got a Hot water linen and laundry washing system. Now, would I sniff the sheets to verify? Maybe not. But the impression was good.
Rooms: A Tale of Two Worlds
My room? Decent. Clean, comfortable bed, Blackout curtains (a GODSEND for beating jet lag), and the View was… well, it was a partial ocean view. Let's just say you could see the ocean if you leaned just so. Which I did. A lot. Air conditioning was a must–I did appreciate it. They also provided Bathrobes and Slippers, which I always appreciate. Coffee/tea maker was present, which is crucial for that morning caffeine hit. Free bottled water, too. Points for the basics done right. The Shower pressure was good-- I love a good shower!
Here's where it got a little weird: the Room decorations were…sparse. Minimalist. Basically, functional with little "personality" on display. It wasn't bad, just…lacking. If you're looking for "Instagrammable," this ain't it. But if you want clean, quiet, and a place to crash? Nailed it.
Dining, Drinking, and the All-You-Can-Eat Adventure:
Breakfast. Breakfast [buffet] was included, so naturally, I went full-on buffet-beast mode. They had an Asian breakfast selection, a Western breakfast spread, and enough Coffee/tea in restaurant to jumpstart a small nation. The Buffet in restaurant was pretty standard but fine. There was a Snack bar, which I regrettably did not utilize (too busy stuffing my face at breakfast, I guess!). The Coffee shop also looked good, and I took advantage of that too. The Poolside bar definitely caught my eye -- and I might have partaken in a Happy hour. (Don't judge the vacation life!)
The Spa, the Sauna, and the Pursuit of Bliss:
Okay, this is where I hit peak relaxation. The Spa/sauna was glorious. Stepping into that Sauna after a long day of beach-bumming was pure heaven. A Massage was also an option – and I'm still dreaming about it. There's a Gym/fitness center if you're into that sort of thing. I, however, took the "exercise" as sunbathing.
Amenities and Conveniences: The Good, the "Meh," and the "Huh?"
Services and conveniences were pretty standard. Daily housekeeping kept things spick and span. Laundry service (thank goodness for the travel-sized Tide pods!). There was Luggage storage, which was helpful. The Concierge was friendly. They also have a Convenience store and Cash withdrawal available.
However, there was one minor thing. The Smoking area looked a bit… forlorn. Out in the parking lot, away from everything. I feel bad for smokers--they're always exiled to the back.
Accessibility
Now, as a wheelchair user, the Ramada Encore Busan Haeundae is a godsend! The staff is really kind.
The "Things to Do" Factor:
The hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring Haeundae. Things to do are literally at your doorstep. Obviously, the Swimming pool [outdoor] is a huge draw. Getting to the beach is exceptionally easy.
The Verdict: Would I Stay Again?
Okay, here's the honest truth: yes, I would. Despite my minor quibbles, the Ramada Encore Haeundae offered great value, a fantastic location, and a solid overall experience. It's not a five-star luxury resort, but it's a comfortable, well-managed hotel that's perfect for a beach vacation. The good outweighs the small imperfections. It may not be the most "memorable" hotel in the world, but it's a reliable, comfortable, and clean base from which to explore the wonders of Busan. Just pack your own personality, because the rooms might need a little pep!
Escape to RI's Coast: Unbeatable Holiday Inn Deals!Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to dive headfirst into my masterful (read: slightly chaotic) Busan adventure, centered around the lovely, cough, cough, Ramada Encore by Wyndham Busan Haeundae. Prepare yourselves, because precision is NOT my strong suit!
Pre-Trip Panic & Packed Luggage Purgatory
Okay, first of all, packing. The hardest part of any trip, right? I swear, I spent three hours staring at my suitcase, wrestling with the existential dread of not knowing if I needed three pairs of bright yellow socks. Spoiler alert: I did. And, of course, I forgot my phone charger. Standard.
Day 1: Arrival, Beach Vibes, and Kimchi Catastrophe
- Morning (ish) - Arrival & Hotel Hustle: Landed in Busan! Woo! The airport… well, it was an airport. Got a taxi to the Ramada. The lobby? Kinda bland. But hey, the AC was working, and that's a win in my book. Checking in? A breeze, surprisingly. The room? Small, yeah, but hey, it had a window. A small one. But a window!
- Afternoon - Beach Bliss (Mostly): Haeundae Beach, here I come! The sand was glorious, golden and inviting. I took a selfie with a seagull. It did not go well. Apparently, they’re not fans of my aesthetic. Got my toes in the ACTUAL ocean. That's right. Ocean. This gave me a feeling. A sense of freedom. A sense of "oh my god, did I bring enough sunscreen?". I didn't.
- Evening - Dinner Disaster & Emotional Breakdown (Almost): Okay, so, Korean food. Amazing, right? Wrong. Not my Korean food. I ventured (read: stumbled blindly) into a tiny restaurant. The waitress, bless her heart, did not speak English. I tried to order something that wasn't spicy. Ended up with a mountain of kimchi. Which, let's be honest, tasted like fermented fire. I choked. My eyes watered. I seriously contemplated just moving back to the hotel, ordering room service, and sobbing into a pint of ice cream. Eventually, I managed to find a 7/11 (bless their convenience store hearts) and drowned my kimchi sorrows in a giant bottle of milk after getting some very delicious and very NOT spicy gimbap.
- Quirky Observation: The constant scent of seaweed. Everywhere. Like, everywhere. It’s oddly comforting and also slightly concerning, like the ocean is trying to claim me. I think I'm getting used to it. Maybe.
Day 2: Cultural Clash & Culinary Redemption (Maybe)
- Morning - The Gamcheon Culture Village: It Was Like the Lego Box of Cities: So, Gamcheon Culture Village. Pretty colourful. Very instagram-able. I got lost immediately. Wandered around for hours, taking pictures, buying useless souvenirs, and feeling utterly overwhelmed by the sheer number of stairs I'd had to climb. My calves were screaming. The colours were nice, though.
- Afternoon - Jagalchi Fish Market (Smelly, But Cool): The Jagalchi Fish Market. Whoa. Fish. Everywhere. Live fish. Dead fish. Fish being filleted. Fish eyes staring at me. The smell was intense, a pungent mix of brine and… well, you get the idea. It was honestly a bit… much. But I'm kind of glad I saw it.
- Evening - The Quest for Authentic Korean Food: Determined to redeem myself from the previous night’s kimchi debacle, I did some research (read: googled "best non-spicy Korean food near me"). Found a place! Ordered bibimbap. Success! It was actually delicious! Felt a surge of pride, like I’d finally achieved something… monumental.
- Emotional Reaction: The sheer resilience of these tiny, colorful homes in Gamcheon Culture Village. Something about people living in this space gave me hope.
- Minor Detail: Those little tourist maps that they sell at the entrance of the village? Buy them. Trust me.
Day 3: Temple Tranquility, Shopping Spree, & Hotel Hiccups
- Morning - Beomeosa Temple: Buddha Bliss (and Mosquito Bites): Beomeosa Temple. Beautiful. Just beautiful. The architecture was stunning, the atmosphere peaceful. I wandered around the grounds, feeling… zen. Until a swarm of mosquitos decided I looked delicious. Swore under my breath, quite loudly. Managed to regain my composure. Contemplated the meaning of life. Admired the architecture again. Still itching.
- Afternoon - Shopping Spree (or, My Bank Account Weeps): Nampodong shopping street. A chaotic, glorious mess. I may have overspent. A LOT. My suitcase is now heavier, my bank account lighter. Zero regrets.
- Evening - Hotel Horror Story: Back at the Ramada. My key card didn't work. Went down to the front desk. It wasn't working for anyone. Everyone was staring at me. They were staring at everyone else. They just gave up. There was a lot of eye-rolling. We were all the same and we had to laugh. Eventually, they managed to get us into our rooms. But… the elevator got stuck. For a very brief moment, I thought I might be trapped forever.
- Rambles: The sheer volume. The number of people. The sound just makes. You lose track of yourself.
- Opinionated Language: The elevator fiasco at the Ramada? Unacceptable. I needed a nap after my shopping spree, not a potential claustrophobic panic attack!
- The Deep Dive: The Bibimbap Redemption (Again): It was so good. I made sure everyone around me could feel my joy.
Day 4: The Seafood Saga (and the Journey Home)
- Morning - Another Seafood Adventure: Decided to give the Busan's seafood vibe one last try, and that fish market, that was it. I got myself some fresh sashimi and a bottle of local soju to kick off the day.
- Afternoon - Airport Anxiety & Departure: Headed to the Gimhae International Airport to take my flight home. The usual airport chaos: long security lines, overpriced coffee, and the crushing realization that my vacation was ending. Goodbye, Busan!
- Emotional Reaction: A mix of relief (because I really missed my bed) and sadness (because I’ll miss the energy, the food… and even the kimchi!).
- Messy Structure: Okay, so the airport was a mess. Delayed flights, frustrated people, crying babies… total sensory overload. I swear I almost missed my flight because I was too busy staring at a particularly shiny piece of luggage.
- Quirky Observation: Why are airport seats always so uncomfortable? It’s like they’re designed to make you miserable.
- Stream-of-Consciousness: Did I pack enough? Did I forget something? Argh, the passport! Always the passport! Is that someone from the Korean dramas? Why did I pick so much sunscreen? I should have learned more Korean.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: *Goodbye, Busan! I'll be back, I swear! (And next time, I'm bringing anti-itch cream!) *
And that, my friends, is my slightly warped, totally authentic account of my Busan adventure. It wasn't perfect. It was messy, hilarious, and at times, utterly exhausting. But, damn, it was unforgettable.
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