Holiday Accommodation in Seoul

Taking a holiday in Seoul? Going on vacation in South Korea? Information on finding the right place to stay: self-catering, hotel, guest house or youth hostel. Find out more…

Seoul's tourist industry is flourishing and a wide range of vacation accommodation is available.

Serviced Apartments

There are a large number of self-catering serviced apartments and vacation rentals in Seoul. Most serviced apartments are centrally located and all are regularly cleaned, with sheets and towels changed. They can be rented for very short periods or for longer stays. Rates are usually inclusive of utilities. For extended stays, a serviced apartment can be cheaper than staying in a hotel.

Hotels

Seoul has a vast range of hotels. They range from low-cost backpackers' accommodation and yeogwan (budget hotels or motels) to international five-star, luxury establishments. Lower-budget accommodation may not include air conditioning, fridge facilities, a safe, television or cable TV in the rooms. All hotels must have a non-smoking floor or rooms.

Most hotel prices do not include tax, which is ten percent. This is added to the bill and a service charge may also be added. Internet access may not be included so it is advisable to check beforehand the final price of the room.

The most common form of accommodation in Seoul is in motels, often referred to as "love motels" by foreign visitors. However, these provide good-value accommodation with some amenities. To encourage foreign travellers to stay in these motels, the Seoul government has created the Innostel scheme - a website for foreign visitors allowing them to see photos of the rooms, as well as check prices and availability.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses are more like traditional family homes than hotels. They offer some of the lowest-cost accommodation in Seoul. Although facilities may vary widely, most guest houses have free Internet access, self-catering facilities and family rooms that sleep up to four people.

Seoul is also home to a number of hanok guesthouses, which are traditional wooden houses known as hanokjip. A number of these can be found in the Bukchon area of Seoul, near the city centre.

Youth Hostels

There are seven youth hostels in Seoul, three of which are official Hostelling International (HI) hostels. In order to stay at a HI youth hostel, a HI card is often required. HI cardholders can also receive discounts on their bookings.

The Korea Youth Hostels Association (KYHA) provides information on all the youth hostels in South Korea. HI cards can be bought on the KYHA site and on the Hostelling International website

Camping

There are four official campsites in Seoul, but there are plenty of opportunities for camping in the suburbs of Seoul. The facilities are basic and visitors are encouraged to stay for only one or two nights.

Further Information

  • Korea Tourism Organization
    At    : 40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-180
    Tel: 02 729 9497
  • Further information on accommodation in Seoul is also available from the Hi Seoul website