Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Tacked on to the end of Dongdaemun Market, the five-star JW is a swish pad to come home to after a busy day (or night) shopping at the wholesale malls…
Must-see hotels in South Korea
Gangwon-do
Just beneath the temple of Naksan-sa and enjoying splendid sea views from high up, this luxury hotel has an elegant curved arc-shape and a neat,…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Taking over the neighbourhood on the slopes of Namsan, this long-running backpackers' favourite now has three locations in the immediate area. Each varies…
Daegu
This is the best choice in Daegu's busy downtown, with helpful staff and a slick, modern, businesslike feel. All rooms enjoy great views and are decorated…
Pyeongchang
The spacious and comfy rooms here overlook the ski slopes, some with ski in/out options. The rooms are large and functional, with balconies and big…
Daegu
This charming, traditional-style guesthouse is a sister operation of the Empathy Guesthouse, with private rooms along a historic alley in a traditional…
Daegu
This immaculate property blends minimalism with style. The location is great and the rooms are extremely comfortable, with king-sized beds and widescreen…
Daegu
This smart, well-run property has comfortable and spacious rooms, each with a double and single bed. It's in a good location near the Deurangil restaurant…
Jeju-si
The modern, industrial-chic social spaces at this guesthouse carry through to the black metal bunkbeds and large lockers and machine-like cleanliness…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Jinju’s only business-class hotel has perfectly cosy rooms with superb river views, although the decor feels somewhat 1980s. The cordial, English-speaking…
Southern Jeju-do
This property oozes a Zen-like appreciation for harmony with nature and balance in decor. Spas are standard in rooms, which also come with seaside views…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
The first venture into the hospitality business by classy Korean furniture and interior-design store Casamia packs plenty of chic style. The rooms are…
Chungcheongnam-do
Steps away from Jinneomeo Beach, this pension has some nice ocean views. Most rooms have ondol (traditional, sleep-on-a-floor-mattress) sleeping and a…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
One of the best options on the island is this classy if rather minimalist place with ondol and Western-style rooms. The rooms are on the small side,…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
A great location, friendly and professional service and reasonable rates make this one of the best serviced-apartment options for short or long stays…
Seogwipo
One of Seogwipo’s better backpacker hostels, this one has spacious dorms – each with its own bathroom, sleeping in sturdy pine bunks with privacy curtains…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
The best and most enjoyable sleeping option is to stay at the temple itself. Don’t expect luxury – men and women sleep in separate ondol (floor-heated)…
Gyeongju
This elegant Hilton by the lake has a sauna, squash courts, pool and gym, not to mention spacious rooms with marble bathrooms and professional service. It…
Chungcheongnam-do
The Coconuts' updated rooms are attractive and though a teeny bit tiny, they're big enough for two people. Another positive feature is the motel's…
Sokcho
Although not that close to central Sokcho, the Class 300 is one of the smarter places in town, with stylish and modern decor, relatively soft beds and…
Jeju-si
Handy if you want to be in the City Hall party district but in a quiet, large room. This quirky, foreigner-friendly place has a large area map on a…
Busan
Everything a guesthouse needs is here: Haeundae beach locale, knowledgeable staff and a friendly cat. Prices rise on weekends.
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
A rare budget choice for ritzy Gangnam, this friendly guesthouse is set in a posh-looking old apartment building in a residential street. The mixed dorms…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
This hotel is the perfect option for travellers looking for a clean, budget space right in downtown. The rooms are quite small, ranging from 13 to 20 sq…
Suwon
High-quality digs offering spacious, modern rooms within easy access of Hwaseong. Rates include pick-up from Suwon station, and iced coffee on arrival.
Chungcheongbuk-do
This tourist hotel, against the hills at the west end of town by the bridge, is a decent choice for comfortable rooms and overall cleanliness, though the…
Seoraksan National Park
The only high-end hotel within the park, this 150-room chalet-inspired complex provides smart rooms embracing all creature comforts. The oncheon (guests…
Jeollabuk-do
Styled like a traditional Austrian ski lodge, this luxury hotel has chalets and condominium apartments. The decor has dated a bit, but it's still the best…
Gyeongsangnam-do
The modern design and central location make this motel one of the nicer properties around Gangguan. Decent restaurants and waterfront strolls are minutes…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
If clean neutral tones are your thing, the An will appeal. White and slate grey abound in the small rooms, modern bathrooms and shared spaces – living…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Confusingly going by two names, this designer guesthouse with clean lines offers teeny tiny rooms in the heart of Insa-dong; the twins with bunk beds…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Fantastic value, this love motel is most notable for its roof-terrace rooms which come with their own roof-deck swimming pools and views over Namsan and…
Northern Seoul
This traditional hanok homestay has rooms ranging from a tiny single to a four-futon set-up, with the owner and his family (he speaks a bit of English)…
Jeollabuk-do
The smallish yet tidy rooms might seem pricey, but you're staying here to relax in a charming countryside village amidst fresh air and good eats. The…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Not far from the road leading to Ssanggye-sa, this place has clean rooms with private bathrooms. It’s a brown-beige building on a small road off to the…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
One of several guesthouses that are springing up in centuries-old hanok in Ikseon-dong, this one is run by a young crowd. The spartan rooms are all ondol…
Pyeongchang
Right at the foot of Alpensia’s slopes, this suite-only Holiday Inn has Western, Korean-style and wheelchair-accessible rooms, and is popular with…
Gyeongju
Just a short distance from the train station, this solid budget option has a spacious and modern communal area, a sparkling kitchen and very clean…
Incheon
A friendly budget option with a perfect location between Chinatown and the Open Port area. Rooms come with thoughtful additions like charging cables and…
Chungcheongnam-do
Mudrin has big picture windows overlooking the beach, soft white linens and a 24-hour front desk with staff who speak some English. Still, the walls are a…
