Gyeongsangnam-do
Wondering what the 'S' stands for? It might be 'snazzy' because the room decor uses funky tiles and vibrant colours such as cherry red, tangerine orange…
Must-see hotels in South Korea
Gwangju
Classy in a retro sort of way, this hotel near the train station has English-speaking staff and comfortable rooms. Book online for a 50% discount. The in…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
These fully equipped serviced apartments are modern, light and spacious, great for a long-term stay, for which discounts are available. Staff try hard to…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Stylish design marks out this appealing five-room guesthouse, tucked away in Tongui-dong, beside the remains of an ancient pine tree, and occupying a…
Mokpo
Traditionally seen as Mokpo’s top hotel, it towers over Yudal Beach and is old-fashioned classy. Rooms (mainly ondol or twin) have large windows, though…
Chuncheon
This motel, run by a kind and helpful family, stands out from the surrounding love motels for comfortable, good-sized rooms sans tackiness. The owners can…
Jeju-si
Don't worry, there are only touches of yellow, and the staff are helpful but not overbearing. Dorm bunks are clean and comfortable with privacy curtains…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
One of the better options among in town, the Andong Hotel is right in the centre of things. Despite horribly kitschy decor, the hotel has spacious rooms,…
Jeollanam-do
A three-minute walk beyond the cable car inside Duryunsan Provincial Park is this excellent budget option, with clean modern rooms. Dorms have bunk beds…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Rooms surround a pretty courtyard shaded by a pruned pine tree at this place run by hospitable Sophia. It's one of the larger properties of its type, with…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Up the hill near Namsan's cable car, the ondol rooms at this smart guesthouse have mattresses on the floor, and minimalist decor with Scandanavian-style…
Busan
This business-class hotel in Seomyeon has many contemporary rooms, but the older ones are uninspiring and the quality of staff service at times seems…
Jeju-do
With its attractive use of stone and wood in a cottage concept (designed by Japanese-Korean architect Itami Jun) that melds seamlessly with the…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
If you want to get your head down in Seongsu-dong, this smart, 80-room hotel is the place to be. A short hop from the subway, it offers stylish rooms with…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The best of the larger hostels popping up in this area occupying old office or apartment buildings. This one has a colourful, fun design, great location,…
Gyeongsangnam-do
If you’re spending the night in Sangju beach, try this pension where most rooms come with a double bed and a basic kitchen. Prices jump to ₩200,000 during…
Jeju-do
Homey guesthouse run by a Korean-British couple near the Olle Trail. Dorms have shared bathrooms; laundry use is available for a fee. Discounts for stays…
Seoul
If you’re going to stay on Yeouido then these top-grade, beautifully decorated serviced apartments are one way to go. The complex, which faces onto a park…
Mokpo
This sleek black and silver tower is clean, sharp and stumbling distance from Mokpo's popular Hadang nightlife area. Rooms are surprisingly cheerful,…
Jeju-do
The enormous and comfortable self-catering apartments at this resort are great for families or groups of friends to share. You have access to plenty of on…
Seoul
Bang in the centre of Hongdae is this compact, 3rd-floor guesthouse offering private rooms and female-only dorms, all of which share common bathrooms…
Mokpo
Outside peak season, this hotel – along the waterfront and just a few minutes' walk from the ferry terminal – is an excellent deal. (Prices rise by 20% on…
Gangwon-do
This tall deluxe hotel is about 2.5km from the southern park entrance, with sweeping views all around. Rooms are suitably plush and during low season you…
Gyeongsangnam-do
If you need to stay overnight in Geoje-si, try this property with stylish rooms with different wallpaper themes. The larger, more expensive rooms have…
Seoul
Modern, with larger rooms than most guesthouses and a quiet location on a tree-lined street in Yeonnam-dong, this is a very pleasant place to stay that's…
Jeollanam-do
In a rambling old house a few minutes' walk north of the bus terminal (turn right at Samoa Motel), Namdo makes for an excellent base. Amenities include…
Jeollabuk-do
The last time we visited, this once-drab red-brick hotel was in the final stages of an impressive makeover. No word yet if the hotel revamped its oncheon …
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The friendly Sunbee offers huge double beds in tastefully decorated rooms with widescreen TVs and computers, for a lower price than similar business…
Seoul
Superior service, luxe rooms decorated in natural tones, and sweeping views of the Han River and city are what you'd expect here – and it absolutely…
Chungcheongnam-do
This high-end condo-style hotel by conglomerate Lotte is a hunk of gleaming glass and concrete complete with ultra-plush and modern rooms on par with the…
Pyeongchang
This choice is the best hotel in Yongpyong, close to the slopes with attentive staff, excellent rooms and a choice of restaurants. Rooms vary in size from…
Jeollanam-do
Though not the cheapest spot on the Hak-dong waterfront strip, this solid midrange option is the most inviting, with helpful English-speaking staff and…
Gwangju
The pick of the bunch near the bus terminal, Ballade has rooms kitted out with a sofa, large TV and PCs. Prices jump by ₩10,000 on the weekend. It’s 500m…
Busan
Perhaps the only full-service hotel in the north end of Busan, business travellers stay here if they require relatively quick access to the airport and…
Busan
Rooms with individual baths, a central location and free toast on the roof make this a great budget choice. It's a 10-minute walk behind Lotte Hotel in…
Jeollanam-do
There’s no desert in sight but this green waterfront hotel has smart rooms, both Western-style and ondol, and harbour views. Pricier rooms have PCs.
Jeollanam-do
The owner claims to have the cleanest rooms in the strip and he’s probably right. Features include big TVs and large rooms, some with sea views.
Mokpo
Location, location, location. The Baek Je is a 10-minute walk from Mokpo's train station and ferries and has compact rooms with dark-wood decor.
Gyeongsangnam-do
Here there are 32 regular campsites, 16 deck sites, and five caravan units. There are showers and electricity, and it's not far from Naewon-sa.
Gyeongsangnam-do
There are 12 regular campsites and 16 deck units here. It's down the road from Daewon-sa.
