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…
Must-see hotels in South Korea
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Seoul
The husband-and-wife team who converted this house have keen design sensibilities. K-Pop-fanatic Jacqueline chooses photogenic, homey decor and cooks…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Seoul
Creatively decorated in bright colours and modern furnishings, this cosy guesthouse feels more like a cool arty apartment. Martin, the convivial English…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Seoul
Near the War & Women's Human Rights Museum, this appealing guesthouse is worth the trek from Hongdae. Rooms are attractively decorated with hanji …
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Gyeongsangnam-do
Here's the business-class hotel that engineers, technicians and ship-industry professionals choose when visiting Geojedo. Not far from the Samsung…
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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…
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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…
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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…
