Asia - Asiana or Korean Air for ORD-ICN? Plus bonus hotel question for Seoul

I have my first trip to Seoul coming up in a few weeks - looking for non-stops from ORD-ICN and that means either Asiana or KAL. I have split points between Star Alliance and Sky Team so I'm indifferent there. Schedules are also equivalent for me.

I've done some reading and haven't reached a conclusion other than KAL having a warm cabin plus small water cups. Can't find much about Asiana. I'll be in coach (requesting extra budget, but we'll see), so what would you choose?

On hotels, I'll be staying a few nights at the Shilla (someone else's cost) and any additional nights I would like a budget option very near to tourist locations for $100/night or less. I don't have any hotel status these days and don't mind hostel-like accommodations so long as there is: private bath + internet (even paid). Being central is key for me. I have zero Korean skills, so some place with experience with foreigners would be useful. What would you recommend?

Well leland, I haven't flown Asiana but I have flown KAL, and NW. I liked KAL very much, the FA's were very nice and the seats were actually kind of comfortable to my surprise. As far as a hotel goes I couldn't help you there, I live north of Seoul and take the subway back and forth when I go downtown. Through my ventures in Seoul I've found that the Korean people are very helpful and a lot of them actually speak English, and will try to talk to you so that they can work on there speaking skills. Hope this helps.

I would like a budget option very near to tourist locations for $100/night or less. I don't have any hotel status these days and don't mind hostel-like accommodations so long as there is: private bath + internet (even paid). Being central is key for me. I have zero Korean skills, so some place with experience with foreigners would be useful. What would you recommend?

I was in Seoul just for a 24hr layover this summer and loved it! The ride to town via KAL limo was nice, but it did take a while. If you are looking for a deal on a hotel, give bidding on Priceline a try! I was able to get the 4* Renaissance for $60 a night and it was quite a nice hotel. As per the threads on FT about it, it was a bit far from the palaces and the major areas of town (Itaewon, etc..) but quite doable via the subway. It was very easy to get around town and many people spoke excellent English. They have very good free maps available in the arrivals hall of ICN. I know that there are quite a few hotels available for bidding on Priceline (many are more central than the Renaissance). Enjoy your stay!

Thanks for the priceline tip and other tips for Seoul. I think I prefer to stay somewhere not as nice, but more centrally located than to save and be on the outskirts. Priceline seems a bit risky for that strategy, but might be worth a shot if they allow bidding by neighborhood. Otherwise I'd rather lose out on the priceline upside and just go somewhere guaranteed.

Thanks for the priceline tip and other tips for Seoul. I think I prefer to stay somewhere not as nice, but more centrally located than to save and be on the outskirts. Priceline seems a bit risky for that strategy, but might be worth a shot if they allow bidding by neighborhood. Otherwise I'd rather lose out on the priceline upside and just go somewhere guaranteed.

Hi there,
Check out this link
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g294197-d611304-Reviews-Ibis_Myeong_dong-Seoul.html

My wife has been to Seoul and she stayed at the Myeong-Dong district which she said is very centralised and easy to move around,to and fro.
She cannot remember the name of the hotel she stayed at but there are plenty in that area which offer all sorts of price range and budget.

I have been on board both KE and OZ, but I guess it depends on the aircraft type.
On KE it was the 777-200 with 5 seats in the centre,which unfortunately I was in the middle of.( I was travelling in a big group, it was ok since I knew everyone and it was a fun trip, but to be in the middle of a 5 seater,well I would have killed for an aisle). The in-flight service was warm and friendly but I don't think they had a personal tv screen on.( I was too busy joking and laughing at the time even if they did I would not have noticed or put it on)

On OZ, it was a couple of years before the KE flight.I remembered being on the 767 and remembered the service to be equally warm and charming.And I had an aisle seat on that one. ( Seating config 2-3-2 ).

I remembered my other travelling friends saying they preferred OZ over KE because of better in-flight service and equipment.
But one thing I know,in my years of travelling with Asian carriers, in-flight service has always been in the range of satisfactory to excellent.I have yet to have a bad experience with any Asian carriers,be it as small as Royal Brunei or as big as Singapore Airlines.

All the same you have a good and safe journey and Happy Holidays!

Thanks for the help. Seems like I will be on KAL; connecting through JFK outbound and direct back to ORD for the return.

Hotel should be interesting - I'm debating between seeing life as a backpacker (I enjoy those places a lot - good for meeting people) and grabbing a budget hotel.

I stayed here on my last trip to Seoul:

http://www.seoulbusinesshotel.com/e_index.html

It's ridiculously cheap and quite convenient to the hot spots. Not four-star by any means but at least as good as, say, your average American chain motel.

I stayed here on my last trip to Seoul:

http://www.seoulbusinesshotel.com/e_index.html

It's ridiculously cheap and quite convenient to the hot spots. Not four-star by any means but at least as good as, say, your average American chain motel.

Thanks, that place looks good. Although the voice in the back of my head keeps saying, "Only $30/night? Seriously? Where's the catch or ax murderer?"

If you remove your requirement for a "private" bath (unless you mean a toilet stall) try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jjimjilbang

This would be under $10

If you remove your requirement for a "private" bath (unless you mean a toilet stall) try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jjimjilbang

This would be under $10

That's interesting, although I'm willing to pay more for a room where I can keep my things for 3 days/nights. Also, I'm more comfortable with a reservation for my first time flying into an Asian country. This is not the kind of trip where I'll have a lot of ability to go with the flow -- need to give a hotel location for people to meet me, etc.