Stay at Around Follie. The best camping in Jeju

Last Updated on October 8, 2024 by Laura

If you are a reader of this blog, you know that I am not really a “camping person”. I mean, I’ve had my good dose of camping when I was younger, and I still do it if this is an an experience that can enrich my trip. But, growing up, the idea of staying too close to the ground did no longer appeal me and I felt like camping wasn’t my “thing” anymore. BUT, camping is somehow something that people need to do when visiting South Korea. Particularly Jeju, a camping destination in its deep soul. There is a place that was on my bucket list since I saw it online a few years ago. Around Follie a unique camping site in the Eastern side of Jeju Island surrounded by nature. In this blog, you will discover our stay in the best camping in Jeju!

Around Follie. A special camping place in Jeju

“Around Follie“ means “gather people around the foliage”. An original concept that breaks the boundaries of camping, by mixing this with comfortable lodges in a unique location. Focused on sustainability and respect of the Jeju’s territory and traditions, Around Follie’s peculiar architecture is inspired by Jeju’s traditional bangsatap. These are ritual doldam pilled stones that are are meant to ward off evil spirits. In Around Follie, their peculiar shape has been reinvented in their lodges architecture. People who decide to spend the night at Around Follie, can choose between different types of accommodations: lodges, airstream, cabins and camping. The site is also equipped with self-cooking facilities and a small pub.

Around Follie Lodges

The Best camping in Jeju

As said before, the Lodges at Around Follie respect the traditional shape of Jeju’s bangsatap. There are 4 type of different lodges that are available to host from 2 to up to 6 people. I will share more about these below since it’s the accommodation we stayed during our trip in Jeju. Lodges are perfect to experience camping without giving up any comfort.

Around Follie Airstreams

The Best camping in Jeju – View of the Airstreams

I really loved the idea of converting pre-loved Airstream vans from the 1960 and 70 into cosy accommodations. Airstreams can host from 2 to 4 people and they have all the amenities needed for a lovely camping experience. This includes a private BBQ deck, outdoor camping table and chairs and even an open bath (in the largest of the Airstreams).

Around Follie Cabins

Cabins are a more minimalistic stay within Around Follie. They are designed for a maximum of 2 people and the interior design is completely curated by Nordisk. Similar to the Airstreams, cabins have also their own private BBQ deck and camping equipment. A lovely choice that combines the joy of outdoor camping with the comfort of an indoor comfy bed.

Around Follie Camping

The Best camping in Jeju – Tent

For those who are really passioned about camping in the most traditional way, Around Follie has provided several spaces where guests can bring their own tent and use the camping site facilities. Indeed, there are 8 family decks for up to 6 people and 2 Auto Home decks for up to 6 people. Guests using the camping decks can make use also of the allocated Camping Station. This includes shared showers, cooking station, coin laundry, refrigerators etc.

Experiencing Around Follie on a summer night

The Best camping in Jeju – Lodges at Around Follie

Our stay at Around Follie came from one of my oldest bucket lists where I saved a photo of the camping, wishing one day to visit. This happen about 3 years ago. When I saved that picture into my “bucket list” collection on IG, I would have never imagined that I would have been able to visit for real. When it came to plan my trip to South Korea, and after having the privilege of agreeing a partnership with Stayfolio, I asked them if it was possible to stay at Around Follie. And here I am writing about this amazing experience!

To be honest, it was one of my most “looking forward” moments of my trip to Jeju and the camping is even better in presence than in the pictures! We arrived early in the afternoon to have the most of our stay. I REALLY, REALLY loved every single moment of it!

Our check-in was very smooth, the guy at the reception was very kind and explained us everything in detail.

Lodge Suite B

The Best camping in Jeju – Kitchen and Bedroom in our Lodge Suite B

We spent our (unfortunately) very brief stay at Around Follie in the Lodge Suite B. This is a fantastic two-stories lodge at the edge of the camping site, that is able to host up to 6 people. The lodge has an ample private space on the back of the accommodation. This features a BBQ deck (with possibility of indoor BBQ too!!!), a table with chairs and even a hammock!

The Best camping in Jeju – Lounge of Lodge Suite B – Around Follie

The ground floor of the lodge features a spacious kitchen equipped with everything you need for your stay, a very large lounge, a bathroom and the first bedroom. On the upper floor you can find a second bedroom, a bathroom and a small terrace with an outdoor bath. As I wanted to enjoy an upper view of the camping, we settled for the night in the upper floor bedroom.

We had a restful night and the bed is very comfortable!

BBQ at Around Follie

The Best camping in Jeju – BBQ at our Lodge

Each accommodation at Around Follie comes with its own BBQ deck. You can pre-order in advance the BBQ set and even some meat/vegetables to cook during your stay. Note that you can pre-book this only at booking stage, and everything will be ready for you on arrival.

For our stay, I pre-booked only the BBQ set because I wasn’t sure we really wanted to do a BBQ that night or just wander around. Moreover, weather could be rainy during summer in Jeju. So, I left this decision to the last minute. As far as we got the BBQ set we were OK for different plans. Luckily, the weather was absolutely perfect and we decided to opt for the BBQ night. Since we didn’t order the meat at booking stage, we had to go to the closer town to pick-up some grocery nearby.

The Best camping in Jeju – Around Follie at Night

I honestly enjoyed this trip to the supermarket as part of the experience. We took advantage of the great options to get also snacks, ice cream and breakfast for the morning after. The kitchen has a lovely fridge/freezer so we can store everything perfectly.

With the BBQ set, guests receive also some very clear instructions on how to turn the fire on. Explanations were both in Korean and English and was very easy to use.

We grilled sausages, cheese and vegetables. It was very fun and the night passed very quickly. Not before taking a little stroll around the beautiful campsite full of night lights!

The best camping in Jeju

The Best camping in Jeju – Around Follie

To be honest, Around Follie is the perfect combination for each type of traveller. Families, couples, friends even solo. Accommodations are very spacious and they have their own private space giving them privacy. The camping itself it’s beautiful, with lots of facilities and even a swimming pool to use in the summer!

The lovely small pub/cafe’ is perfect for an afternoon coffee or ice cream. Guests can even order food if they don’t feel like cooking. If you have a car, you can also explore the surrounding areas, full of incredible places. We truly had one of the best stays of our trip to South Korea and I hope to return with my little twins one day!

Video of our stay at Around Follie

How to book your stay at Around Follie with Stayfolio

Around Follie is available exclusively via Stayfolio. This is a platform with an incredible portfolio of carefully curated and unique stays. These properties share a common and defined sense of aesthetic that is combined with promotion of local culture.

This is something I really liked of the Stayfolio’s manifesto which focuses on small, local owners rather than big, corporate hotel chains. Indeed each of these accommodations are full of character, history and local culture.

Booking Around Follie with Stayfolio

You can book Around Follie via Stayfolio here. Members who book their stays at Stayfolio can unlock also exclusive discounts, hidden properties and before release access to exclusive properties in all the destinations curated by the platform.

Please note that after booking, the check-in instructions for each place will be emailed to you on the day of your arrival.

Rates for Around Follie start at $179 per night for a Lodge.

Practical Information

Getting to Around Follie from the Jeju International Airport

Around Follie is located close to the the village of Nansan-ri at 433 Seoseongil, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju. This is at about 1 hour and 10 mins from Jeju International airport. You can reach it both by car or with public transport. However, for this particular stay, I would recommend using a car since the public transport options are a little limited for the area.

If renting a car is really impossible for you, here below you can find some information on how reach Around Follie by bus. However, consider this will be a lenghty trip.

Getting to Jocheonmasil by bus

Take note the public transport will take about 1 hour and 4 mins and involve taking 3 buses. I warmly recommend you to download Naver App because bus stops names are only in Korean and you need to know in real time where to stop! Naver will give you this information. To note that Around Follie is registered on Naver as “Around Poly” (not sure why!).

From the airport you’ll need to take bus 121 or 131 and ride 4 stops (25 mins). The second bus you need to take is the 211. You’ll stay here for 34 stops (38 mins). The last bus is 721-3. Ride for 5 stops (8 min). You have to get off at Yugeoni Oreum and from there walking another 8 mins.

Reaching Around Follie by car

If you rent a car in Jeju from the airport, you’ll likely collect this from the Jeju Auto House that is out of the airport area. This is at 1 hour and 10 mins from Around Follie. After passing through Jeju city, you’ll cross a central mountainous area with some stunning scenery. Be prepared for taking lots of pictures! I recommend you downloading Naver App. This is easy to use and will give you the best directions to get around Jeju.

READ MORE: The best apps to get around South Korea.

You can eventually reach Around Follie also by taxi. This would cost around KRW 38,000 circa.

Parking at Around Follie

Guests at Around Follie can take advantage of the complimentary parking right in front of the camping entrance. People with electric cars have also their allocated spaces to recharge the cars.

Explore the surroundings: Seogwipo

Around Follie’s location is particularly ideal to explore the eastern side of Jeju. Even if you have one day, you can fit a lot of sights! The closest big city is Seogwipo. Here you can find similar vibes to Jeju City and a lot of nice cafes and restaurants. My favourite area, however is close to the eastern coast. Here you can hike the Ilchulbong Peak of the Seongsan Mountain, take a ferry to the small island of Udo or see Hydrangea in bloom at the lovely Honinji Pond (only in summer). If you are a Welcome to Samdal-ri fan, here you can also check-out where the filmed the drama and have a picture in front of Yong-pil and Sam-dal house!

If you have an extra day, why don’t you visit the lovely Snoopy Garden and the nearby picturesque Bimirui Forest.