Korea - Affordable place in Seoul

Hi

I am going to Seoul in September for 15 nights. That's why I am locking now for an affordable place to stay in the city. My finance are limited, but I can afford to spend $100 per night.

Well, does anybody know an affordable place to stay in Seoul, if you're traveling with your girlfriend? I don't need a hotel, but I expect some quality.

Thank you
MTH

U can try Metro hotel in the downtown shopping Myeongdong district.
It's in a really good central location.

Try Jjimjilbang for $15 to $20 / night.

Try Jjimjilbang for $15 to $20 / night.
Thank you - thats really helpful!


U can try Metro hotel in the downtown shopping Myeongdong district.
It's in a really good central location.

Thank you, that's what I am looking for. Any other suggestions?

try one of Best Foreigner's Hostel in Seoul with private room + shower, toilet, free internet
http://www.travelersa.com/index.htm
40k won for 1 person; <$40/n
60k won for 2 people; <$60/n

try one of Best Foreigner's Hostel in Seoul with private room + shower, toilet, free internet
http://www.travelersa.com/index.htm
40k won for 1 person; <$40/n
60k won for 2 people; <$60/n

Thank you! I checked the website, but its not really that what I am looking for. The hostels has a very annoying shower. I hate it when the whole bathroom is wet after a shower ;)

Thank you! I checked the website, but its not really that what I am looking for. The hostels has a very annoying shower. I hate it when the whole bathroom is wet after a shower ;)

You can try the Courtyard Times Square. It's branded Courtyard but it is as good as any Marriott / Renaissance as I was able to book a room for a little under $100 per night, as per your budget (but it of course depends on your dates).

Is it possible to stay in a love hotel for multiple-days? Does anybody have a experience in that?

Hi

I am going to Seoul in September for 15 nights. That's why I am locking now for an affordable place to stay in the city. My finance are limited, but I can afford to spend $100 per night.

Well, does anybody know an affordable place to stay in Seoul, if you're traveling with your girlfriend? I don't need a hotel, but I expect some quality.

Thank you
MTH

I'll send the Metro Hotel idea. Great location, staff were very helpful, and the rooms themselves although not massive were clean and comfortable. And you get a breakfast included.

Variation on this question...

I want a room for a one night stay (arriving from the States in the evening, departing for HKG the next morning). It will be in December. I am thinking I want someplace close to the AREX station at Seoul Station. Basically, I'll have time for dinner, maybe a touch of sightseeing, passing out in a hotel room, and back to the airport in a few hours for an onward flight to HKG. I am totally game for looking for street food/bars with locals/something fun (I figure passing out on the plane is perfectly acceptable).

I would consider the ICN Jjimjilbang, except that doesn't get me out of the airport. You haven't really been there until you leave the airport, right? (This means I haven't been to Salt Lake City, Denver, Narita or Zurich, sadly.) And airport hotels are boring.

Suggestions? I have noticed this (http://www.seoulbackpackers.com/room.html)- Seoul Backpackers. It says hostel, but you can get a single room with ensuite bathroom, and given that I am not planning on using it for anything other than crashing, and it's close by the train station... but anyone have any other ones? I am not totally limited by budget (read: I'd spend more that the $41 or whatever that place will cost, but I won't go crazy).

pls don't try to sleep at jjimjilbang.. there's no place to put your luggages in jjimjilbang, and it is quite tough to get some sleep at jjimjilbang, since many people are there.. I m giving u an advise as a korean, pls dont regard the jjimjilbang as an accomodation place.. If u want to experience jjimjilbang, do it once u have ur hotel,motel, or guesthouse.. There are lots of motels in the city and they usually cost 30to70bucks..well, in korea, motel is a kind of love hotel,but u may talk to the owner and can stay long period. Ah, of course u have to speak korean.. if u dont speak korean. U have to go to hotels or guesthouses.. U know, english available guesthouses and restaurants are quite expensive. Thats not real korean price. If u need help, i'd help u. Have a great time in korea.

There are many reasonable and cozy hotel like motels in the city. They wont cost more than $80.

Huh. I didn't speak Cantonese in Hong Kong, Indonesian in Bali, or Thai in Thailand, and I seemed to do OK finding places that were reasonably priced. And I have found Seoul Backpackers. But I will keep looking. Thank you for the offer.

Huh. I didn't speak Cantonese in Hong Kong, Indonesian in Bali, or Thai in Thailand, and I seemed to do OK finding places that were reasonably priced.

There is FAR less english spoken in Seoul then in those places. The cheapo Motels will rarely have a Korean language website, let alone a English language version

Walking around until you find one is the best bet, but do not expect anyone to speak any English inside.

Why not try Priceline? My experience was that I got the Marriott for less than your budget in the past. Try it and see. You may need to break up your bidding which will add an extra booking fee or two.

I'll see what I can do, the catch being I don't want to get dumped by Priceline in some far-off section of the city, given that I have approximately 16 hours from when my plane from SEA touches down to when my plane to HKG leaves. So not wasting a lot of time getting to/from where I am staying from ICN is critical.

I'll see what I can do, the catch being I don't want to get dumped by Priceline in some far-off section of the city, given that I have approximately 16 hours from when my plane from SEA touches down to when my plane to HKG leaves. So not wasting a lot of time getting to/from where I am staying from ICN is critical.

There are two AREX trains, the express one and the commuter train. Please also check stations along the commuter line. At least the area around GMP was well known to have affordable motels/hotels in the past.

Why not try Priceline? My experience was that I got the Marriott for less than your budget in the past. Try it and see. You may need to break up your bidding which will add an extra booking fee or two.

I second the Priceline option.

OK, if people think that Priceline should work, I can give it a go and make sure to bid closer in to the center of town closer into my dates. It looks like there's decent limo bus coverage, and there's a taxi from Seoul Station, I guess, if all else fails.

public transportation is ridiculously extensive in seoul, so unless you're staying way in the outskirts, you won't have any issues getting anywhere in the city and to the airport. try to see if any hotel chains are doing stay X-nights get 1 free promotions - that may get you under $100 a night without having to do priceline.

Only staying one night though. :)

Only staying one night though. :)

Yeah, I think he got you mixed up with the OP.

This won't help you at all, but I have an interesting Korean "love hotel" story.

My 2nd or 3rd time in Korea back in ~2000 (now I've been more than 25 times). Was headed to Taegu with a local Korean guy and my female co-worker. It was a business trip - we would be doing some work for 2 days at one of the US bases down there.

So we drive to Taegu - we had asked where we would stay and he kept saying "no problem, dont worry". We get there about 10 pm. He stops at 2 or 3 places, each time he comes back, he says "no good". Finally we pull up to this place - neon lights, etc. He goes in, 5 min later comes back and waves us in.

First thing we see in the lobby is the video dispensing machine (you dont have to guess which type of movies it stocked). We get our keys and go to the rooms - I go in mine and, well I knew what type of place it was, but mine wasn't too outrageous. A few extra mirrors, etc.

My phone rings and it's my co-worker. She is laughing & saying you have to come see this - go to her room. She got the full package: heart-shaped bed, full wall & ceiling mirrors and what looked like a complete gymnasium in the room! There were swings, ropes, pulleys, stirrups, etc. I, in my limited (at that time) experience, had never seen anything like it...

I'm pretty sure the korean guy went out and got a suitable companion to visit him in his room. We slept there that nite and managed to get a "normal" hotel room the next night.

Interesting place

Only staying one night though. :)

+1 for Priceline

I just stayed at the Renaissance. It's not a tourist-y neighborhood, but is a 5min walk from the metro and there's a KAL Limousine stop in front. Just $14 for a 1-hour ride to/from ICN.

Well, if this (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/planereality/2010/02/16/oh-dear/) is what I might get for a "love motel", I'm going to skip it. :eek:

However, I seem to have come into a brace of SPG points thanks to a social media promo, enough to do points and cash in both the Incheon Sheraton AND the Macau Westin. :D

love motels can be hit and miss for modernity, however, there is no doubting they are clean, safe and good value for money.

They generally include plasma tv, en-suite bathroom (some with jacuzzi!), but best of all are located in good positions. There are tons of them in Gangnam, Jamsil and pretty much very other area you might wish to be.

I recommend giving them a go and if your unhappy then move up the ladder...

Hello

I stayed at the http://www.triahotel.co.kr/html/ENG/AB/w_AB_010.html

The room was nice and the bathroom was equipped with a jacuzzi. I paid around 90$. The location of the hotel is not perfect, but within 5 minutes of walking you can reach the next subway station.

I would stay here again, if I am looking for an affordable room.

Hello

I stayed at the http://www.triahotel.co.kr/html/ENG/AB/w_AB_010.html

The room was nice and the bathroom was equipped with a jacuzzi. I paid around 90$. The location of the hotel is not perfect, but within 5 minutes of walking you can reach the next subway station.


Teheran Road was once the centre of the Korean startup community. Wouldn't say the location is too bad, still in the middle of one of the busiest business areas in the city.

Btw, bus and train connections in Korea are excellent. There is really no need to stay in downtown Seoul if not in a hurry to get to one of the airports next morning.

I would encourage FT readers to head out of Seoul and not be too worried. Korea has developed tremendously in the past ten years and has become one of the most advanced societies on the planet.

Get a relaxing mountainside b&b with organic food served or book a luxury hotel via Korean hotel portals in provincial cities for the same price you pay for mediocre quality in Seoul.

I think some remote budhist temples lets you sleep for free or very small fee. Your accomodation is wooden floor and pillow.

Get a relaxing mountainside b&b with organic food served or book a luxury hotel via Korean hotel portals in provincial cities for the same price you pay for mediocre quality in Seoul.

Any suggestions for a luxury hotel in provincial cities?

Thank you
MTH

Any suggestions for a luxury hotel in provincial cities?

Thank you
MTH

I leave it to the reader to interpret if these are luxury hotels in their understanding. ;)

Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/NAMHIHI-Hilton-Namhae-Golf-and-Spa-Resort/index.do

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju (with private Golf course & Spa): http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297888-d455840-Reviews-Gyeongju_Kolon_Hotel-Gyeongju_Gyeongsangbuk_do.html

Westin Chosun Busan: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1063

Hyatt Regency Jeju: http://jeju.regency.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?null

Asia Lakeside Hotel Jinju: http://www.asiahotel.co.kr/eng/index.php

Ramada Hotel Gwangju: http://www.ramadagwangju.com/ramada/ENG/index.asp

+1 for Priceline

I just stayed at the Renaissance. It's not a tourist-y neighborhood, but is a 5min walk from the metro and there's a KAL Limousine stop in front. Just $14 for a 1-hour ride to/from ICN.
What sort of prices are people getting Priceline hotels for?

Around $50 will get you a 3 star hotel in Yeungdeungpo. Around Coex and Myungdong will get you a 4 star above $90.

My friend who frequents Seoul recommends Namsan Guesthouse for it's location and cleanliness http://www.namsanguesthouse.com/