World Country Guide

Accommodation

Hotels
There are many modern tourist hotels in the major cities and tourist areas. All of these are registered with the Government. Most rooms have private baths as well as heating and cooling systems. Facilities in most tourist hotels include dining rooms, convention halls, bars, souvenir shops, cocktail lounges, barber and beauty shops and recreation areas. For further information and reservations, contact the Korea National Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section) or the Korea Hotel Reservation Center, PO Box 1099, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, USA (tel: (845) 426 7335; fax: (845) 426 7338; e-mail: philip@khrc.com; website: www.khrc.com). A service charge of 10 per cent and 10 per cent VAT are included in hotel bills; tipping is not necessary. Grading: All registered hotels are classified according to their standard and quality of service. Hotels range from 5-Star (super deluxe) to 1-Star (third class). For further information, contact Korea National Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section).

Yogwans
These are Korean inns, very reasonable and considered by many travellers as the ‘only place to stay’. Sleeping arrangements consist of a small mattress and a firm pillow on the ondol, the hot floor-heating system which is traditional in Korea. There are also Western-style rooms. Korea National Tourism Organisation can provide a list of yogwans throughout Korea (see Contact Addresses section).

Self-catering
Cottages are available for rent at seaside resorts, but fees are high and few services are provided.

Homestay programme
Programme supported by the Korea National Tourism Organisation, offering visitors the chance to stay with a host family in Korea. For more information, contact the KNTO (see Contact Addresses section).

Camping
Campsites are located throughout the country. Contact Korea National Tourism Organisation for details.

Youth hostels
At present there are 51 youth hostels in Korea (Rep), mainly located in Busan, Kyongju, Puyo, Seoul, Sokcho and vicinities. For more information and reservations, contact the Korean Youth Hostels Association, Room 409, Jeokseon Hyundai Building, 80 Jeokseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (tel: (2) 725 3031; fax: (2) 725 3113; e-mail: sjlee@kyha.or.kr; website: http://yh.kyha.or.kr).

Temple stays
There is also a Temple Stay Programme where visitors can, as the name suggests, stay in temples and see what goes on. Further information can be obtained online (website: www.templestaykorea.com) or from KNTO (see Contact Addresses section).