Where to Stay in Seoul for Filipino Tourists

Finding the best accommodation for your trip may be stressful. Price, facilities, distance to your points of interests - there are just too...

Finding the best accommodation for your trip may be stressful. Price, facilities, distance to your points of interests - there are just too many things to consider.

Your home away from home that’s too expensive, too cheap, too remote, not remote enough, too rustic, too sophisticated, or lacking amenities that are important to you, can complicate a great out-of-the-country trip. Knowing the types of accommodations that are available in Korea is an important step in planning a great trip.

Here’s a list of places where Filipino tourists can stay in Seoul:

Hotels

Hotels are one of the safest accommodation options anywhere in the world. Hotels tend to be well-lit, staffed at all hours of the night, and available should problems arise. They also offer double locks on rooms, and most hotel rooms are off of street level. All these features come with a price.

Top 5 Best Hotels according to Trip Advisor (as of September 2018)

1. Glad Hotel Mapo

Glad Hotel Mapo

Address: 
92 Mapo-daero, Mapo-Gu, Seoul, South Korea 04168

04168 서울특별시 마포구 마포대로 92

Phone:
+82-2-2197-5000

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/gladhotels/

2. Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul

Address:
97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

서울특별시 종로구 새문안로 97

Phone:
+82 2-6388-5000

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FourSeasonsHotelSeoul/

3. Oakwood Premier Coex Center

Oakwood Premier Coex Center

Address:
46 Teheran-ro 87-gil Gangnam-gu Seoul, South Korea

서울특별시 강남구 테헤란-로 87-길 46

Phone:

+82-2-3466 7000

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/oakwoodpremierseoul/

4. Vista Walkerhill Seoul

Vista Walkerhill Seoul

Address:
177 Walkerhill-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea

서울특별시 광진구 워커힐-로 177

Phone:

+82-2-455-5000

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/grandwalkerhillseoul/

5. Lotte Hotel World

Lotte Hotel World

Address:

240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea

서울특별시 송파구 올림픽-로 240

Phone:

+82-2-419-7000

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/lottehotels

Guesthouse/Hostel

photo from Seoul Best Hostels.com

In the past, hostels are often mislabeled as "cheap stays" with very low-rated facilities. However, these days, hostels are getting much recognition when it comes to accommodating travelers who are on a budget for a fancy stay in Korea. As most of the hostels, especially near tourist attractions, have upgraded their facilities and still give out great deals, hostels have become a traveler's best friend! Aside from the low-cost, basic boarding and breakfast that most guesthouses and hostels offer, you also get to meet new friends from different nations. What a steal, right?

Booking.com and AirBnb are the top sites for guesthouse and hostel hunting. However, here's a gentle reminder that AirBnB is illegal in Korea. In a previous 2016 report by Forbes, found that in South Korea, it is illegal to lease any type of rooms designated for office and residence to be converted into lodging. Also, according to the tourism ministry, 70% of listings in AirBnB - South Korea are not registered with the government. 

Recommended areas to book a guesthouse/hostels: Hongdae, Myeong-dong

Themed Accommodations

If you're the adventurous type of traveler, you must try staying in a themed accommodation. Most of these accommodations will give you healing and more insightful stay in Korea.

Here are some of the recommended themed accommodations:

Homestay

You can stay at a Korean home with a host family instead of at a hotel or a motel. Unlike other accommodations, a home stay arrangement allows you to experience and understand Korea and its culture first-hand as you live at a Korean home with a Korean family.

You will be entitled to a private room and breakfast each day of your stay. You may need to share other items like home appliances with your host. Additional charges might be required if you want lunch and dinner. The fee needs to be paid upfront on the date of arrival. For reservations for a Homestay in Korea, you may visit the Homestay site.

Templestay

If you're finding healing and tranquility, you might want to try the Templestay program. Templestays are popular not only to foreigners, but also to Koreans!

Templestay is a unique cultural program which lets you experience the life of Buddhist practitioners at traditional temples which preserved the 1700 year old history of Korean Buddhism. This short templestay including chanting, meditation, conversation over tea, Buddhist meals will give you a new perspective on your life. Finding your ‘True-self’ while staying at a temple is really possible.

There are 120 temples all over Korea where you can do your templestay. You can choose from 7 temples in Seoul alone. Reserve your templestay in Korea by clicking here.

Hanok Stay 

Korean traditional houses, a.k.a. Hanok, are preserved in hanok villages. Visitors seeking a traditional housing and hospitality should try spending a night or more at a Hanok. You can experience traditional housing and lifestyle at a hanok in some of the most famous hanok villages like Jirye Art Village, Yangsajae, Jeonju Hanok Village, Rakkojae and Bukchon Hanok Village.

Hope these recommendations help you in deciding where to stay in Seoul.