Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping
Seoul has a wide selection of accommodation including many
budget backpacker guesthouses. There's also no shortage of
top-end hotels. In the mid range, if you're looking for some-
where memorable rather than bland, your options will be nar-
rowed to Bukchon's charming hanok guesthouses and a handful
of design-conscious operations scattered around the city.
Backpacker Guesthouses
Seoul has many small, friendly backpacker guesthouses that cater to budget-conscious for-
eigners of all ages; most are concentrated in Myeong-dong and Hongdae. Rooms - dorms
and doubles - tend to be tiny, but are nearly always en suite. The young helpful staff speak
English. Communal facilities usually include a satellite TV and DVD lounge, a kitchen, a
free basic breakfast, free use of a washing machine and internet access.
Hanok Guesthouses
Traditional
hanok
(Korean one-storey wooden houses) are increasingly being turned into
guesthouses. Staying in one is a unique and memorable experience. Rooms are small and
you'll sleep on
yo
(padded quilts and mattresses) on the floor, but underfloor heating sys-
tems
(ondol)
keep them snug in winter. At cheaper
hanok
you'll share the bathroom, but
many guesthouses offer en suite rooms too. Rates often include breakfast. For more about
Motels, Love Motels & Hotels
Thousands of small, family-run budget hotels are scattered throughout Seoul. The rooms
are always on the small size but they are packed with facilities - en suite, TV, DVD, tele-
phone, fridge, drinking water, air-con and heating, toiletries, and even computers. However,
staff rarely speak any English.
Love motels cater for couples seeking some by-the-hour privacy, but they also accept
conventional overnight guests. They're easy to spot by the plastic curtains shielding the
