South Korea Hotels

Around 6.4 million tourists visit South Korea every year. Accommodation options in the country range from luxury resorts and five star hotels to youth hostels and motels. Minibak, guesthouses, homestays, hanok, mountain huts, temple stays and condominiums are other accommodation options available in the country.

In entire South Korea, total of 223 hotels can be found, which are classified into five categories on the basis of facilities offered. There are around 78 five star hotels that fall under the category of super deluxe and deluxe.

Luxury accommodation is also offered by 69 four star hotels in the country that fall in the first class category. Most of these hotels can be found in Gangnam-gu (Seoul), Jeju-si (Jeju-do) and Jung-gu (Seoul).

Budget travellers can find around 31 three star and 13 two star hotels across the country. Yongsan-gu (Seoul), Sokcho-si (Gangwon-do), Masan-si (Gyeongsangnam-do) and Jincheon-gun (Chungcheongbuk-do) are lined up with three star and two star hotels.

Ideal for backpackers, there are around 52 youth hostels in South Korea that offer comfortable accommodation at economical prices. Most of the youth hostels can be found in Mungyeong-si (Gyeongsangbuk-do), Geoje-si (Gyeongsangnam-do), Seogwipo-si (Jeju-do) and Goyang-si (Gyeonggi-do).  Tourists can also choose to stay at the motels found in Damyang-gun (Jeollanam-do) and Pocheon-si (Gyeonggi-do).

Those wishing to experience the traditional Korean lifestyle can opt to stay at Hanok Traditional House. Hanok stay is most popular in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Jeollabuk-do region. Temple stay is also becoming a popular accommodation option in the country with a program run by Jogye. It is the largest Buddhist sect in the country that allows tourists to stay at the Buddhist temple for a day.   

Visitors can also stay at condominiums that are apartment-style lodgings available on rental basis. In rural areas and national parks, families rent out rooms in their homes, which are called minbak accommodation. Public bath houses known as jjimjilbang are another accommodation option.  

International hotel chains like Hilton, Marriott, Renaissance and Ritz-Carlton operate in South Korea. Radisson, Hyatt and Sheraton are the other international chains in South Korea. Accor along with its brand holders Ibis and Novotel can also be found in the country.

InterContinental, Concorde, Ramada International and Relais & Chateaux are the other international hotel chains in the country that add to the list. W Hotels and Westin can also be found in the country.  

For the business travellers in South Korea, hotels have special rooms with business facilities, home bar and VCR. Business hotels in the country also have business centres, which have workstations equipped with personal computers, Wi-fi connectivity and teleconferencing facility.    

Luxury hotels in South Korea offer facilities like swimming pool, spa, fitness centre and sauna. Some of the hotels also have golf range, yachting and DVD/book rentals facility. TV, internet access, restaurants and cafes are also available. Several upmarket hotels have duty free shops in their premises.

Some of the hotels in the country have both Western-style as well as Korean-style rooms. Korean style rooms have floor-heating system known as ondol. In this system, a stone slab is kept under a layer of clay and oiled paper that is heated by hot steam. Mattresses are laid on the floor instead of beds in the Korean style rooms.  
                        
In South Korea, there are two peak seasons, one in May and June and the other from September to November. Prices of accommodation double during this time and prior booking is required. From December to February and July to August, prices of the accommodation drop significantly due to the low season.