As the culture of non-face-to-face activities has spread due to COVID-19, the number of people enjoying camping has significantly increased. According to a survey on camping users conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of domestic camping users in 2022 reached 5.83 million, an 11.6% increase from the previous year (5.23 million). During the same period, the number of registered campsites also rose by 8.6% to 2,935. The appeal of camping lies in the ability to enjoy the open outdoors, experience nature, have barbecues, and participate in various leisure activities such as 'bulmeong' (staring blankly at a bonfire). It is ideal for families or groups of friends seeking 'healing' away from daily routines. On the other hand, for beginners, setting up equipment such as tents, tables, and chairs, cleaning up afterward, and preparing food and other necessities can feel overwhelming. There is a place where you can enjoy the romance of an overnight camping trip without such burdens: Paradise Spa Dogo Cabin Park, operated by Paradise Group in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, a region known for its hot springs.

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According to the industry on the 4th, Paradise Spa Dogo underwent a three-month renovation starting in March, creating a new accommodation facility called Cabin Park. The 50 caravans (mobile homes towed by vehicles) that had been used as lodging for over 10 years since 2012 were removed and replaced with 'cabins'?container-type structures reminiscent of forest lodges. On a 12,000㎡ (about 3,630 pyeong) site, the area was divided into zones A to H, and 50 cabins were arranged to ensure privacy. The white exterior of the cabins harmonizes with the wide, green lawns.

Park Yeonho, PR and Marketing Manager at Paradise Spa Dogo, said, "The old caravans had become quite worn out inside and out after more than 10 years of use, and they were cramped and inconvenient for multiple users. With the creation of Cabin Park, the facilities have become much more comfortable, and it is now easier to change the interior or maintain and repair the facilities for long-term management."

The most significant change is the expansion of the interior space. Previously, the caravans came in two types: rooms for up to four or six people. With the establishment of Cabin Park, all units have been standardized to accommodate six people. With an additional fee for more than two guests, up to six people can stay. On one side of the cabin interior, there is a bunk bed for four people (two double bunks), and on the opposite side, a single bunk bed for one person. The cabin also features a kitchen area equipped with tableware, an induction stove, microwave, refrigerator, and electric rice cooker, as well as a living room-style space with chairs and a table. The attached bathroom includes a shower and basic toiletries. An indoor shoe rack has been added to prevent shoes from getting wet with morning dew, an improvement over the previous caravans.

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The stairs leading up and down the wooden bunk beds felt stable, and windows in the bed walls and living area provided views of the natural scenery, preventing any sense of confinement. The floor-to-ceiling height is well above an adult's height, making it comfortable to move around or sleep in the upper bunk. Most notably, while the old caravans showed their age with worn or damaged bedding, interiors, and basic furnishings, the newly renovated cabins felt fresh and pleasant, from the lighting to the various interior details. The replaceable bed covers and white bedding also looked clean, without stains or dampness.

Another joy of camping is the food. Here, Cabin Park offers barbecue sets for guests for an additional fee. The basic sets feature pork or beef and are available for two or four people. The pork set for four includes 800g of pork belly, shrimp, sausage, and 'sotteok sotteok' (skewered sausage and rice cake), all portioned per person. These are provided in an icebox along with lettuce, kimchi, basic condiments, a retro-style lunchbox, and cup noodles. The amount is sufficient not only for families with children but also for four adults. Guests can choose between charcoal grills or electric grills. If you want to enjoy the romance of 'bulmeong,' you can order a bonfire set for an extra charge.

Through this renovation, each cabin is equipped with an indoor 'living shell' area furnished with a large dining table and chairs, allowing guests to grill meat or dine regardless of the weather. For additional food, drinks, or snacks, guests can visit a 24-hour convenience store near Cabin Park. Breakfast options such as pork cutlet lunchboxes, seaweed soup, and seolleongtang are also available for purchase by advance reservation. The facilities are designed so that guests do not need to bring any camping supplies and still feel completely comfortable.

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The Cabin Park room rate is 200,000 KRW on weekdays and 300,000 KRW on weekends, except during the peak summer and winter seasons. If you add the 120,000 KRW pork barbecue set for four and the bonfire set, you can experience camping for a total cost in the mid-300,000 to 400,000 KRW range. According to a survey by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization of 3,079 adults aged 19 and over with camping experience, the average expenditure per camping trip was 465,000 KRW in 2021 and 403,000 KRW in 2022, which is not much different from the Cabin Park rates. Park added, "Not only do we have many family and group visitors, but local governments, organizations, and clubs often book as a group, so both weekend and weekday reservations are often fully booked in advance."

Another advantage that Paradise Spa Dogo offers is its spa and hot springs. Cabin Park guests can use the spa, which features indoor and outdoor pools, free of charge until check-out on the day of arrival. On the day of departure, guests receive a complimentary voucher for the large hot spring bath, where they can enjoy a sauna in sulfur hot spring water.

Opened in 2008, Paradise Spa Dogo aims to be a wellness hot spring for three generations, featuring a bade pool for hydrotherapy, a large hot spring bath, and various water play facilities. Not only the hot spring bath but also all indoor and outdoor pools use sulfur hot spring water. Sulfur hot springs are known for their effectiveness in relieving muscle pain, fatigue, and stress, and for alleviating atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

You can enjoy 'bulmeong' with a campfire set sold for a fee.

Paradise Group renovated both the interior and exterior of the spa last year. The detailed facilities include an indoor bade pool, outdoor lazy river, event spa, outdoor spa, kids' land, wave pool, aqua play and regular pool, large hot spring bath, and open-air bath. Among these, the outdoor lazy river is a 150-meter-long course with water flowing at 1 meter per second and operates year-round. Following the lazy river leads to a space connected to the indoor bade pool. The interior was modeled after the Badehaus, Germany's oldest marine healing facility, and is spacious and comfortable. This year, additional renovations were made to some facilities, including the waterslide and dining area.

Drawing on Paradise Group's expertise from over 50 years in the hotel and resort business, new menu items such as seolleongtang, Gijang seaweed soup, beef brisket bean sprout ramen, and yuni jjajangmyeon have been introduced to the spa's dining options.

Among these, the Gijang seaweed soup recipe was provided by Paradise City in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, and Paradise Hotel Busan, and uses fresh ingredients sourced directly from Gijang-gun, Busan, an area famous for seaweed. For rice, an organic variety grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers at Paradise Spa Dogo is used, considering customers' health. In addition, an aqua bar is available for ordering simple snacks, alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks.

A Paradise Spa Dogo representative said, "With premium spa hot springs, natural retreats, and delicious food, we offer a variety of pleasures in a private healing space."