Deux Crèmes at Garosugil (가로수길), Seoul

We had a hard time looking for this tart cafe since it has moved to a new location, but still located within Garosugil. I have read good reviews from blogs and traveling articles, raving about their tarts and sweet potato latte therefore it made it into my MUST GO list. 

Probably our moods were dampened by the tedious journey we took before finding this cafe but we felt that there was nothing to rave about their tarts. They have a wide range of tarts which you can see from my picture above (that's only 1 section of the tarts display). Other than that, there were nothing special about their tarts and drinks, and the prices are really steep. If I could recall, we spent our SGD40 dollars for 2 slices of tarts (mango tart and green velvet tart), 1 sweet potato latte and lemon water. 

I always feel to each has its own, so I would still recommend people to try out this cafe. 

Deux Cremes Tarts Seoul
강남구 신사동 533-11 (533-11 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu)
+82 2 545 7931
Opening hours: Daily, 10am - midnight
How to get there: Sinsa Station (신사역) Line 3, Exit 8 - Garosugil 가로수길

MMMG Cafe at Anguk 안국, Seoul

MMMG at Anguk Station is possibly one of my favorite cafe in Seoul. The first time we visited MMMG at Anguk Station in 2010, it was raining heavily. After 3 years, we were still not spared by the rain. 

MMMG is conveniently located at Anguk Station (안국역) Seoul Subway Line 3 - Exit 1. Just exit from the long flight of stairs and turn left. 

서울시 종로구 안국동 153 우110-240 | 51, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-240, Korea | t. 02 3210 1604 | AM 11 to PM 10 from MON to SAT / AM 11 to PM 9 on SUN | FACEBOOK PAGE| GOOGLE MAP

126 Mansion at Samcheongdong, Seoul

126 Mansion Room 205

Cosy Cafe on the 1st Floor of  126 Mansion

Traditional Korean Breakfast that were included in our style 

Key to Room 205

American Style Breakfast on Sunday

Complimentary Late Night Snack from the Guesthouse! 수제비

Overall, we really enjoyed our 5 nights stay in 126 Mansion! Except for my serious phobia for their little dog at the 1st floor cafe, everything went pretty well!

**** Recommended****

For more information on the reservation details and locations, please refer to their website: http://126mansion.com/eng/1-1.html

Home Made Breakfast #1

Thick Toast + Sliced Cheese + Maple Baked Ham + Tomato + Cheddar Cheese. 

Leah's Seoul Accommodation Choice : 126 Mansion

126 Mansion B&B (Guesthouse) In Seoul
Address: 126 Palpan Dong (aka Samchung-dong), Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
Website: http://126mansion.com/eng/index.html
Nearest Subway: Anguk Station
Rates: 110,000KRW for a Standard Twin Room for 2. http://126mansion.com/eng/1-2.html

I immediately fell in love with this guesthouse, which also is a cafe and a gallery. The daily room rate includes homemade breakfast - whereby you can choose between korean style or american breakfast. It's open by a pair of sisters and their mother whom I read makes very delicious korean food. From their Facebook photo gallery, their korean style breakfast looks mouthwatering delicious! Can wait to try it out myself in July!

The price seems a little bit steep for a guesthouse and it's comparable to a 3 stars hotel. However, the service of a hotel can never be as personalized and warm as the guesthouse (through my past experience). The owner of the guesthouse is very sweet and accommodating. FYI, they keep their pet Shih Tsu in the Mansion. This is a very bad piece of news for me  (terrible case of dog phobia). In my reservation email, I've informed the guesthouse owner on my phobia and their response as below :D

// Quote //

Ha ha no worries. He is just little boy, is staying with us, but during the day he goes out to stay at my sister's shop 
and at night sleeps with my mother and sister.  I will remember the fact, and will be careful. Hope you are ok with that as well.^^  

// Unquote //

I guess the rest is up to me on how to overcome my phobia during the stay in 126 Mansion.

I will be doing a full review on the 126 Mansion after my trip to Seoul in July :)

<Picture credits to 126 Mansion>

Leah's shortlisted accommodation in Seoul

Note: In no particular order

1. SS Guesthouse
Address: # 99-34 Seogye-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. 140-827
Website: http://www.ssguesthouse.co.kr/en/ssguest/overview.php
Nearest Subway: Seoul Station
Rates: Dormitory (for 4 person) 25,000KRW/Pax, Dormitory (for 6 person) 22,000KRW/Pax, Luxury Dormitory (for 2 person) 30,000KRW/Pax, Double Room 60,000KRW/Rm, Double Room (Studio Apartment) 80,000KRW/Rm, Twin Room 70,000KRW to 90,000KRW/Rm
Remarks: Opened in January 2013 and located only 5 mins walk from Seoul Station.

2. Hotel the Designers 
Address: 144-7, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Gangnam - Coex, Seoul, South Korea
Website: (Agoda) http://www.agoda.com/asia/south_korea/seoul/hotel_the_designers.html
http://hotelthedesigners.com/main/ko/intro.html
Nearest Subway: Samseong Station
Rates: Last checked on Agoda (Early May'13) - Deluxe Double Room is about SGD123.78/Night (Excl. 10% Tax) 
Remarks: Very pretty boutique hotel. 4 stars hotel.

3. Hi Seoul Youth Hostel
Address: 200 Yeongsin-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 150-037, Korea
Website: http://www.hiseoulyh.com
Nearest Subway: Yeongdeungpo Market Station / Yeongdeungpo-gu Office Station
Rates: http://www.hiseoulyh.com/eng/space/reservation_sub01.asp?pageNum=5&subNum=a1
Remarks: I read very good review about this Youth Hostel thus it should be worth to check it out

4. Sutton Hotel Myeong Dong
Address: 95-7 Euljiro 3(sam)-ga (20 Chungmu-ro 9-gil), Myeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea 
Website: http://sutton.co.kr/myeng/main/main.php
Nearest Subway:  Euljiro 3-ga Station
Rates: Last checked on Agoda (Early May'13) Standard Single Room is SGD113.74/Night, Standard Twin Room is SGD133.39/Night (Exclude 10% Tax)
Remarks: 3 stars hotel near Myeong Dong

5. Hotel Irene
Address: #122, Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea. 100-080
Website: http://www.hotelirene.co.kr/en/index.php
Nearest Subway: City Hall Station
Rates: last checked on Agoda (Early May'13) Standard Room SGD90.55 (Excl. 10% Tax & 10% Service Charge), Deluxe Room SGD100.85 (Excl. 10% Tax & 10% Service Charge)
Remarks: Not very good review on this 3 stars hotel

6. Nox Boutique Hotel
Address: 677-13, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul
Website: http://www.noxboutiquehotel.com
Nearest Subway: Yeok Sam Subway
Rates: Last checked on Agoda (Early May'13) Superior Double SGD138.09/Night (Excl. 10% Tax)
Remarks: 4 Star Boutique Hotel. However the hotel looks old...

7. Sky Park Hotel, Myeong Dong 1
Address: 24-23, Chungmuro 1ga, Jung-gu, Myeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Website: http://www.skyparkhotel.com/eng/html/main/main.asp
Nearest Subway: Myeong Dong
Rates: Last checked on Agoda (Early May'13) 138,000KRW/Night 
Remarks: Premium location! Right smack in the middle of shopping paradise!

8. Crib 49 Guesthouse
Address: 49-28 Namsandong 2ga Jung-gu Seoul Korea 
Website: http://www.crib49.com
Nearest Subway: Myeong Dong
Rates: range from 60,000KRW to 100,000KRW per night
Remarks: Very new guesthouse near Namsan. The beds are tatami style... 

9. Studio 41st 
Address: 561-41, Yeonnam dong, mapo gu, Seoul, Korea 
Website: http://www.studio41st.com
Nearest Subway: Hong-Ik University Station
Rates: Range from 90,000KRW to 150,000KRW per night
Remarks: From the pictures, it looks very homely and comfortable. Comes with private bathroom. 

10. Guesthouse The Hill
Address: 8-80, Yejang Dong, Jung Gu, Seoul 
Website: http://www.hillguesthouse.com/
Nearest Station: Myeong Dong
Rates: 70,000KRW/ Night for Double Room
Remarks: All Rooms come with private bathroom and it's fairly new guesthouse near Namsan