South Korea Hotel Tips by Hmmmm Top 5 Page for this destination

-Generic-: Accomodation in Korea

Unique Qualities: People often seem to get mixed up considering hotels in Seoul. This is mainly because in Korea Hotels are expensive and a foreign concept. Korean Hotels are similar to the Inns and Guesthouses of Japan. In Japan Minshuku are Minbak in Korea and in Japan Ryokan are Yagwon in Korea.

These days Yagwons have turned in to modern style private hotels. Some are very very nice indeed. These always charge by the room. So should most modern Hotel chains. You don't pay per person when you rent a room at the Hyatt or Hilton hotels. The only place where you pay by the person in Korea is at a Minbak (Korean style Inn - Bed and breakfast.

Directions: Yogwans are everywehere in the city.. Minbaks are everywhere in the country.. Well thats how I perceive it

Theme: Other

Seoul Backpackers - Downtown Seoul: Slap, Bang in the Middle of it all.

Good sound accomodation: dormitory, single rooms and double rooms with a bathroom and air-conditioning for each room and floor heating system for winter. We also offer 24 hour hot and cold showers, public phone, LCD projector for movie screening, private lockers, fully equipped kitchen, cable TV and VCR.

Breakfast is available as well as internet access, pick-up service, self laundering, coffee and tea. These are all free. The hostel is located in the heart of Downtown Seoul and only a short walk to all the major facilities. The airport bus, subway station, post office, movie theatres, museums, art galleries, markets and the main shopping areas, all major consulates.

Unique Qualities: Breakfast Included
Internet Access
Laundry
Linen Included
Curfew
Security Lockers
Luggage Storage
Guest Kitchen
Travel Desk/Travel Info

A Dorm room is 20,000 KRW or $15-$16 USD

Address: 30-1, IkSun-Dong,Jongno-Gu, Seoul, South Korea

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Anguk Station. (Line 3 - Orange) North end of Insadong

Really really Close to Insadong. Just take the first major right when you are walking north on Isa dong.

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Inn

Kims' Guest House - Seoul: Cheap and Clean

Family-run friendly guesthouse (hostel) for backpackers, travellers, businessmen, etc.

Located in the heart of Seoul. Brand-new facilities. Free breakfast, laundry, ironing and so on. Free tour infomation. Bathrooms with hot water available all the time. Free High speed internet available. Nearby old market. Nearby Hangang(river) park and matyre's museum. Nearby Sinchon region (famous youngsters' street) full of pubs, restaurants, bars, clubs, etc.

Nearby famous universities such as Yonsei, Ewha, Hongik University areas.

Management speaks good English, Japanese, and even a little bit French.

Hmmmm Gives one two thimbs up.

Unique Qualities: Breakfast Included
Restaurant
Car Parking Available
Internet Access
Laundry
Bicycle Hire
Wheelchair Friendly
Linen Included
Credit Cards Accepted
Security Lockers
Luggage Storage
Children Friendly
Guest Kitchen
Telephone/Fax Facilities
Travel Desk/Travel Info
No Curfew
Free Internet Access

Rooms: Singles (Including twins) and and a rather progressive 6 bed mixed dorm. Prices are great (Korean Won).

Twin Private 25000
6 Bed Mixed Dorm 20000

Address: 443-16 Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu. Seoul.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Hapjeong Station. Line #2 (Green). Or walk from Hongik Station exit #6 and go straight.

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Pension/Guesthouse

Anguk Guesthouse - Seoul: A Taste of Yesteryear.

This guesthouse, in the beautiful old town of
Bukchon, was built in a traditional Korean style.

A dormitory Room is offered but it is in a totally different place and not traditional Korean house.

Unique Qualities: Breakfast Included
Internet Access
Laundry
Towels
Guest Kitchen
Telephone/Fax Facilities
No Curfew
No Smoking

Rooms on offer are a little stonky, with only Singles, a 2 bed share n(female only) and 5 bad dorm (male only) Room rates below in Korean won.

Single Private 30000.00
2 Bed Female Dorm 15000.00
5 Bed Male Dorm 15000.00

Address: 72-3 AngukDong JongnoGu, Seoul, South Korea

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Anguk Subway Station - line number 3(Orange). After getting off you can see the Anguk subway station Gate 1 across the road. Cross over the road to Gate 1 and just walk to north .

Price: US$20-40

Theme: Inn

The Westin Chosun Beach Hotel: Swanky and a Landmark

Another Hotel on Haeundae Beach that is cool.

This is a 4 star hotel that stands alone on the North Eastern part of the beach. Once you get to the beach there are deck chairs and drinks that can be bought. ANd usually this part of the beach is usually quieter. THe only 'Downer' is that its too far from all teh action. Something that the New Beach and the Haeundae/Busan Mariott has going for it.
Still it has great weekenders during the quieter times, and the girls love that. ^.~

Unique Qualities: Has good of season deals. Like $100 a night. Or weekends for $180.

Okay the Guff: The hotel is the best place for business and vacation tips because it’s Thirty minutes away from the city center and forty minutes from kimhae Int’l Airport. Its close to the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center(BEXCO) (Where we saw Yogi Spin some great tunes).

But the best thing is it has a Swimming pool ( like gold in Korea) and it has a SH%$#y little Casino, that I didn't even try.

The Hotel has two restaurants (both a little steep): Dongbaek - A Korean style Buffet & Steak house, and Kuromatsu , a Japanese Restaurant. They have a pretty good pub, O’Kims - Irish Pub & Sports Bar That closes early and has ordinary Irish music and western food.

Address: Heaundae Beach Road, Haeundae Beach. Busan

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Heaundae Beach Road, Haeundae Beach. Busan.

Take the Subway, to Haeundae or catch a cab to the Haeundae Westin Chosun Hotel. The New Beach is next door.

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

New Beach Hotel Busan: Beachside, Nice and well Priced

I've stayed here a few times now. I have too memorable times however.

One time I travelled down to Busan to see Yogi (an enigmatic Japanese Trance DJ). After venturing around the Haeundae Beach Area we found a place that sold Tanqueray Gin for only $24 dollars a bottle, and other fancies... Before the Yogi Gig (Which was spectacular by the way) we had a huge Cocktail party in my Room. Fantastic. And the staff did nothing save Grin.... ^.~

My second time was very memorable. My Girlfriend and I planned to go to Tsushima ( agroup of japanese Islands just out from Busan City, But with the incoming super typhoon Maemi, we had to Buckle up and see out the storm. The Typhoon hit around 9pm.. and Oh was a storm it was. The Sea which is the other side of the road and then another 50 metres, was on the road lappy the Lobby Doors. The 200km winds had debris wooshing airborne around the city. The restaurant next door, was totalled when they lost their windows, the fierce winds wipped into the Hotel. The hotel staff helped the elderly couple nest door move things, and gave them sanctuary inside the hotel.

The next Day Busan was a mess, the beach front was destroyed, part of the raod and restaurants had fallen into the sea.... The hotel was fine. After the experience we all had a kinda bond. I will always stay there now.

Unique Qualities: The hotel is around $40 a night, and $50 for a seaview room. The sea views are spectacular. They have a private safe carpark (Our rental was fine during the Typhoon). Two restaurants..

But what's great is that its right on Haeundae Beach. And close to all the restaurants and bars. Its a great place. Give it a burl. The staff are great, really. And this isn't often the case in Korea.

Address: Heaundae Beach Road, Haeundae Beach. Busan

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Heaundae Beach Road, Haeundae Beach. Busan.

Take the Subway, to Haeundae or catch a cab to the Haeundae Marriott Hotel. The New Beach is next door.

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel