and it was only after much online research and frantic emails, i finally booked my stay, one short week before i was due to depart.
so i came to realise the utility of an accomodation guide, esp for non-korean speakers, and this is my version of one: a short introduction on where to stay in seoul, based on various needs of different travelers. hope it'll be of help while you're planning for that wonderful trip to seoul!
A. Short-Term Stay (4-13days)
if you're going for a quick holiday and hoping to save some money (for extra cash to shop!), below are some recommendations for the budget-conscious:
1. Youth Hostels
spartan, and economical, these are the usual for backpackers, students and coins-sorters. i personally havent stayed in any, but ive had friends who had and was thus, educated by them that despite negative impressions of unclean beds and dusty bathrooms typical of hostels, that is not the case in seoul. apparently, standards are so high now that some rooms even come with en-suite bathrooms and wifi, which is fabulous!
some of the hostels i came across:
♥ Hi Seoul Youth Hostel: https://www.facebook.com/hiseoulyh♥ Seoul Hongdae Pencil Guesthouse: http://cafe.naver.com/pencilguesthouse
♥ Banana Backpackers Hostel: http://www.bananabackpackers.com/main.html
2. Guesthouses
these are typically run by koreans in nice, cosy places and provide a slightly homelier feel as compared to hotels. in a sense, its like a hostel, but slightly more comfortable, complete with amenities and spacious rooms that have en-suite bathrooms and even kitchens for some! location-wise, i know of two in myeongdong (very convenient, very accessible!):
♥ IB Ville: http://www.ibville.com/
♥ Namsan Guesthouse: http://www.namsanguesthouse.com/ind_e.htm
others i found during my online research:
♥ Namu Guesthouse: https://www.facebook.com/namugh?ref=pb#!/namugh?sk=wall
♥ Lee & No: : http://www.lnguesthouse.com/
♥ Studio41st : http:www.studio41st.com/
prices range from $40-$120 (approx) and there are different types of rooms to choose from. i like especially that the owners stay there too, and are able to provide friendly service and kind advice. arrangements are very flexible, you simply email/call to book but they mostly accept only cash.
3. Hotels
the usual big names like Ritz and Hyatt are obviously here in glitzy seoul, but local Shilla is one of the top and most luxurious (check it out at: http://www.shilla.net/en/seoul/index.jsp).
however, instead of going through the usual bigwigs, i'll introduce some that are NOT that expensive, and location-wise, very convenient:
♥ PJ Hotel: Chungmuro Station
♥ Ramada Hotel & Suites: Namdaemun
♥ Eastgate Tower Hotel: Cerestar Mall, Dongdaemun
can google the above through booking.com to find out more, but just a point to note: don't be fooled by some of the seemingly cheap prices on "hotels" listed on the site. some of them are actually love-hotels/motels in disguise and single travelers, especially ladies might not be so comfortable staying in them!
B. Mid-length Stay (2weeks-2months)
if like me, you're planning to visit seoul for an extended period of time, then it's smarter to stay in places that provide discounts for longer stay. of course, arrangements could be worked out with guesthouses (i know of several language-students who are staying long-term in guesthouses and are charged significantly lesser for their commitment), but some of the other options are:
1. Gosiwons
what is known as "examination halls" started off as simply rooms in specific buildings meant for students mugging for the all-important university entrance examinations. now, they still provide the same purpose but come with shared bathrooms and kitchens, even though rooms remain small- they usually can only fit one single bed, one table, one toilet and one pax. conditions are not the best, rooms are not soundproof (so if you're a light sleeper, do rule this out) and there is usually a mish-mash of characters from everywhere.
however, ive stayed in better ones; slightly more furnished, and with ensuite bathrooms. they are ubiquitous, and mostly found near the universities. however, it'd be hard to locate one if you cant read/speak korean so unless you're starting lessons in a university in seoul or have friends who can help, it'd be hard.
here's one i stayed in: wellbeingtel, opposite dongguk university.
(wellbeingtel: it costs about $500-$600 to stay in a single room for a month, and there are usually free rice/ ramen/kimchi in the kitchen, and amenities like refrigerators, washing machines and heaters. the price also includes utilities and internet fees.
2. HomeStays
alternatively, one can choose to stay with korean families during your time in seoul, just like i did! throughout three months in seoul, i was with two different korean families, and got to experience first-hand the life of a local and have home-prepared korean meals!
(meals provided for me by my korean homestay families!) visit http://www.homestaykorea.com/ to find out more. the staff are very friendly, quick to respond and there to help, even after you've moved in with your korean family and face issues.
homestays are a great way to interact with koreans, practise your language and discover idiosyncrasies of the locals! you'd definitely be well-taken care of, as the koreans are very hospitable and friendly. however, do note that as you're staying under the roofs of others, there could be house-rules (subject to individual families) to be adhered to, and the free spirits might not feel that comfortable staying with others.
C. Long-Term Stay (3months and above)
if you're going to be in seoul for a looong time (LUCKY YOU!), there are a few options:
1. Hotel Residences these are hotels, with amenities like a home so you get the best of both worlds! i've stayed in a couple, and they have of course, been some of the best nights of my time in seoul :) i'd recommend:
♥ somerset residences (anguk)
♥ fraser suites (one in insadong and another in cityhall)
fraser, cityhall)there are obviously slightly pricier, but they are so comfortable, and if you're going to be there for awhile and have some extra cash, indulge!
2. Rentals
ive had the chance of being invited into a typical rented korean place, and as with all major cities, space is tight and the room is small.
(typical korean room)
plus, the korean rental system is slightly unique, where a huge amount of key deposit money is usually involved. there are two types of rental:
♥ jeongsei, where one pays a huge deposit (approx 50-70%) of the property value to owner for an agreed rental period. there will be no monthly fees, and the deposit will be returned in full at the end of the rental period
♥ wolse, where one pays a lesser deposit (approx 10-20 times monthly rent), which is returned in full at the end of rental period. the larger the deposit, the lesser the monthly rental.
(visit http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/South-Korea/Landlord-and-Tenant)
but its great to have a little privacy and your own space so if you arent too concerned about the hassle of paying your own monthly bills and have money to pay the upfront key rental deposit, renting is a good option too!
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the korean quirk: take your shoes off!
if you havent already visited a korean home, then heed my advice: invest in good socks.
as with most asian cultures, we take shoes off before entering the house. but in korea, this is taken very seriously as footwear are deemed as very dirty items and must never be brought into the house. as such, there is a special corridor at the entrance of almost all korean homes for one's removal of shoes.
and if you're embarrassed of going barefoot, buy good socks now! it's worse if you're wearing hole-y ones :D
the korean quirk: take your shoes off!
if you havent already visited a korean home, then heed my advice: invest in good socks.
as with most asian cultures, we take shoes off before entering the house. but in korea, this is taken very seriously as footwear are deemed as very dirty items and must never be brought into the house. as such, there is a special corridor at the entrance of almost all korean homes for one's removal of shoes.
and if you're embarrassed of going barefoot, buy good socks now! it's worse if you're wearing hole-y ones :D
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special feature: a one-night stand, the jimjibang!
we often see people staying overnights in the saunas/spas or what they call jimjibangs in korean dramas, and wonder why they'd sleep with others in a huge hall.
well, because its cheap! for approx $12-14/night, one can enter a jimjibang and stay there the entire time, utilising the saunas, pools and bathrooms.
im recommending dragonhill spa (yongsan station):
well, because its cheap! for approx $12-14/night, one can enter a jimjibang and stay there the entire time, utilising the saunas, pools and bathrooms.
im recommending dragonhill spa (yongsan station):
one of the biggest and most famous spas in seoul, this is a one-stop relaxation and entertainment centre, complete with an arcade, a PC room, mani/pedi, massages, waxing services, food booths, restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, several aromatherapy rooms and a large main hall. over the weekends, its a favorite haunt for families looking for staycations and a good time to bond over hard-boiled eggs and local korean drinks.
i'll recommend at least a night for travelers and those hoping to replicate scenes from korean dramas, complete with the cute rolled-up towels over your heads!
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