Must-see hotels in South Korea

  • House Hostel

    Sokcho

    A five-minute walk from the intercity bus terminal, this place combines the niceties of Korean motel rooms – minifridge and basic toiletries – with free…

  • Itaewon G Guest House

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Run by the welcoming and convivial Shrek Lee, this hostel is easily the best budget digs in Itaewon. Fourteen dorms and four twins are stacked in a…

  • Yuseongwan

    Jeollanam-do

    This idyllic traditional hanok inn, built around a courtyard, is inside Duryunsan Provincial Park, about two-thirds of the way between the car park and…

  • Cho Ga Jib

    Jeonju

    Hard to find, but worth the effort, this utterly charming hanok (traditional wooden home) guesthouse is surrounded by a delightful garden. Cosy rooms have…

  • Grand Hyatt Seoul

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    Making the most of its hilltop aspect, the Grand Hyatt is lord of all it surveys. On a clear day, the views from the lobby lounge, through a soaring wall…

  • Splaisir

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    This hotel has rooms dedicated to Line Friends – cartoon characters from popular Japanese-Korean social-media app Line – so fans of cuteness overload and…

  • Wowfactor Stay

    Seoul

    The husband-and-wife team who converted this house have keen design sensibilities. K-Pop-fanatic Jacqueline chooses photogenic, homey decor and cooks…

  • Lakai Sandpine Resort

    Gangneung

    This delightfully landscaped choice is right by the sea. A large variety of contemporary and stylish rooms are at hand, including a vast penthouse and…

  • Hotel1

    Busan

    The tiny, minimalist rooms in this slick and serene capsule hotel feature high-key, all-white-marble finishings and stunning views of the beach and…

  • Code 46610

    Jeju-do

    If Hallim's sleepy port and rugged Hyeopjae beach left you feeling nautical, then try sleeping in these converted shipping containers. It's much more…

  • Urbanwood Guesthouse

    Seoul

    Creatively decorated in bright colours and modern furnishings, this cosy guesthouse feels more like a cool arty apartment. Martin, the convivial English…

  • Kpopstay

    Seoul

    There is a stream of K-Pop on the TVs at this memorabilia-adorned hostel in the heart of Hongdae's bar area next to Hongik University. But even if you…

  • Tria Hotel

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    An excellent-value, midrange option that's very affordable for this end of town, the 50-room boutiquey Tria has lots going for it. Opt for any room above…

  • Gentleehouse Jeju

    Jeju-do

    People will pinpoint this guesthouse as the moment Woljeong Beach became a hot spot. Gentleehouse is matched with chic new restaurants nearby, yet…

  • Pedro's House

    Gwangju

    Gwangju local and veteran traveller Pedro Kim runs this homey guesthouse filled with books and travel souvenirs. The rooms (some with private baths) are…

  • Westin Chosun Beach Hotel

    Busan

    Busan’s oldest international hotel gets better with age. A hint of retro shaken, not stirred, with modern touches creates a James Bond – a la Sean Connery…

  • Metro Hotel

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    An excellent midrange choice, this small professionally run hotel has boutique aspirations. Splashes of style abound, from the flashy, metallic lobby to…

  • Paradise Hotel

    Busan

    Fantastic views of Haeundae beach, grovelling service and decent on-site dining make the Paradise stand out. The rooms are somewhat worn and the casino is…

  • Empathy Guesthouse

    Daegu

    This guesthouse is part of the Center for North Korean Defectors (www.nkpeople.or.kr), and 20% of proceeds go to resettlement elsewhere. It's a great…

  • Nest Hotel

    Gyeonggi-do & Incheon

    If you're planning to overnight by the airport, you might as well do it in style. This 370-room cubist-meets-modernist structure looks like a concrete…

  • Kensington Stars Hotel

    Seoraksan National Park

    Just 300m from the park entrance, in the crook of a mountain, is this English oasis with Edwardian armchairs in the lobby and two red London Routemaster…

  • Seopori Hotel

    Gyeonggi-do & Incheon

    This snazzy pension on a hillside set back from the beach offers bright, ondol (traditional, sleep-on-a-floor-mattress) rooms that can sleep up to seven…

  • Moon Motel

    Gangwon-do

    Standing tall conveniently just a block back from the bus terminals is this superb love motel. Rooms are spotlessly clean, with huge beds, coffee sachets,…

  • Lee Kang Ga

    Seoul

    Near the War & Women's Human Rights Museum, this appealing guesthouse is worth the trek from Hongdae. Rooms are attractively decorated with hanji …

  • Park Hyatt Seoul

    Gangnam & Southern Seoul

    A discreet entrance – look for the rock sticking out of the wall – sets the Zen-minimalist tone for this gorgeous property. Each floor only has 10 rooms…

  • Jeonju Tourist Hotel

    Jeonju

    It's not the spiffiest hotel in the Gaeksa market and the room interiors might be a little weathered, but it gets top marks for price and location. A…

  • Plaza

    Myeong-dong & Jung-gu

    You can't get more central than the Plaza, opposite the striking rising glass edifice of City Hall. Rooms sport a smart design with giant angle-poise…

  • Seongeup Folk Village Traditional Houses

    Jeju-do

    The village offers comfortable accommodation in six volcanic-stone and thatched-roof cottages. Inside they have two bedrooms with ondol (heated) floors…

  • Haslla Museum Hotel

    Gangwon-do

    This architectural oddity by the Haslla Art World is an oasis of design: beds are shaped like large wooden bowls, rooms are furnished with quirky pieces…

  • Pinocchio Pension

    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…

  • Banyan Tree Club & Spa

    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…

  • Hotel 28

    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…

  • Zaza Backpackers

    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…

  • Gurye Okjam

    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…

  • Sinsiwa

    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…

  • Fontana Beach Hotel

    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…

  • Samsung Hotel

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Here's the business-class hotel that engineers, technicians and ship-industry professionals choose when visiting Geojedo. Not far from the Samsung…

  • Gwangan Hound Hotel

    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…

  • Backpackers In Yeosu

    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…

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