Chungcheongnam-do
Comfortable cottages, with fridges, facing the sea. Find it by walking past the motels to the northern end of Mallipo Beach, stopping only when you see a…
Must-see hotels in South Korea
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Billing itself a ‘sanctuary for the senses’, the Banyan Tree occupies a hilltop tower designed by feted local architect Kim Swoon Guen, and offers just…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Opened in 2016, this boutique hotel was founded by veteran actor Shin Young-kyun and takes on a Korean cinema theme. Each room has stills of films that…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
In the guesthouse enclave that's sprung up along the hill to Namsan, Zaza is one of the best with its contemporary building full of design touches and…
Jeollanam-do
This guesthouse in a renovated traditional home has thoughtful modern design touches and cozy beds. There are bikes available to borrow, a rooftop lounge…
Gwangju
Park Sung-hyun, one-time curator of the Gwangju Biennale, restored this 60-year-old hanok himself and opened it as a guesthouse. The three rooms (two with…
Mokpo
Located along the waterfront Peace Park promenade in Hadang, this hotel is refreshingly understated. Rooms aren't big, but they have picture windows and…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Here's the business-class hotel that engineers, technicians and ship-industry professionals choose when visiting Geojedo. Not far from the Samsung…
Busan
The Hound Hotel is a boutique hotel that combines design with beautiful views. The Hound's prices are reasonable considering its prime waterfront location…
Ibis Ambassador Busan City Centre Hotel
Busan
Towering over Bujeon Market, Ibis wins for location (a five-minute walk from Seomyeon), cheery staff and understated, chic rooms, which have LCD TVs…
Jeollanam-do
This modern hostel has ensuite bathrooms in the 4-person dorms and ample cooking and lounging facilities. The young staff speak some English. It's a…
Mokpo
The best of the cluster of motels between the train station and the ferry terminal is this dark high-rise. Modern, clean rooms have sofas, heated toilet…
Gangwon-do
One of the cheaper twin-turreted High1 Ski Resort accommodation options, High1 Hotel has a sparkling lobby and spacious, contemporary rooms with views…
Daegu
This love motel enjoys a fantastic location in central Daegu, alongside a church a stone's throw north of the Daegu Modern History Museum. Rooms are…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
A four-room, upmarket guesthouse facing the river and blending seamlessly with the surrounding thatched-roof hanok (traditional wooden homes). The name in…
Gyeongju
Going since 1977, this hostel is all about its friendly English-speaking and easy-going owner Clint Kwon, a mine of local info who shares excellent local…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
A boutique hotel located in the heart of Ikseon-dong, Nagwonjang Hotel is the result of a collaboration between several artists. Originally a love motel…
Chuncheon
Hidden away uphill and down an alley, this secluded guesthouse and cafe is very tranquil, but only has two rooms, each small but cute. There's a garden…
Chuncheon
Nestled on the slope of Bongui-san, this rather plush hotel offers unrivalled views of Chuncheon and the surrounding countryside, ensconced within an…
Jeju-do
This luxury resort is owned by Hyundai Motors, which accounts for the display cars in the lobby. The rooms, all of which have balconies and many with sea…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
A name like this raises expectations, and they are all met at Seoul’s most luxurious hotel. The antiques and wood panelling create a stately, genuinely…
Gangwon-do
The main hotel at High1 Ski Resort is this high-rise hotel complete with casino (South Korea's largest) and convention centre. Rooms are of a high…
Pyeongchang
Hidden among the pines like a Swiss chalet, this budget option is only three minutes from the Yongpyong slopes. It doesn’t have any lounges to socialise…
Jeollanam-do
The top draw at this luxury hotel, opened in 2008, is the water park attached to it. The Ocean Resort Water Park has multiple pools and slides, plus a hot…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
Perched on the side of a mountain and offering expansive views towards the mainland, this 70-room hotel has a nature-lodge vibe, with minimalist white…
Sokcho
This is a hostel all grown up. Rooms are clean and common areas close at night for proper rest for all. Bonuses include heated floors, strong showers,…
Chungcheongbuk-do
This slick, quiet love motel is convenient for the bus station but offers plenty of little pluses to keep you lingering in the comfy beds or deep spa –…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Things are happy a short walk from the action, though this place looks grim from the outside. Incense infuses the traditional downstairs dining room,…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Beautiful and private, the Palm Tree is a gorgeous pension with balconies overlooking the sea. The snazzy deluxe rooms have kitchenettes and spas. It’s in…
Empathy Dongseongro Guesthouse
Daegu
Aimed more at backpackers just looking for dorm accommodation, this very clean, central and organised upstairs spot is a sister establishment of the…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
The island’s most expensive property, this impressive resort has amazing mountaintop views of the sea, but the rooms are overpriced for what they are:…
Seoul
Part of the reliable business-hotel chain Benikea, the Marigold's rooms are spacious and aim for contemporary chic with amber onyx tiles and fake animal…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
If you’re a youth-hostel member you can stay in this functional business hotel in the 'bunk room' at a youth-hostel rate. Inside Olympic Park, it’s a long…
Chungcheongbuk-do
This is the smartest hotel in the area, near the park entrance and run by helpful and efficient staff. Rooms are perfectly adequate and comfortable, with…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
This rustic hanok, its three ondol rooms arranged around a courtyard with pickle jars and a sansuyu tree, is run by Helen, the director of the Korea…
Jeonju
This humble, 75-year-old hanok (traditional wooden home) has the distinction of being owned by Lee Seok, a grandson of King Gojong, and photos of royalty…
Mokpo
This beautifully restored, 100-year-old hanok is in the heart of the old downtown, a short walk from the train station. There are dorm rooms in one…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
There's plenty to like about this snazzy hotel well placed in the heart of Myeong-dong's shopping district. The smart boutique-y rooms have city views, a…
Chungcheongbuk-do
The main reason to stay at this 71-room resort is for access to its on-site hot springs, the only open-air bath in Suanbo. The pool is small but has a…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The family that runs this hanok in the Bukchon Hanok village have lived here for over 30 years and cook traditional breakfasts using family recipes, and…
