Guest houses in Korea [Wannabe Plastic Surgery]

Where to stay in Korea

*Modern Guesthouse

Guesthouses are an inexpensive accommodation option that allows guests to meet other foreign tourists. Many guesthouses are remodeled family homes (generally with a shared kitchen and shared bathrooms) and are nearby downtown areas and tourist destinations.

The price for one night is usually around 20,000-30,000 won. As guesthouses are generally seen as a budget option, services and facilities offered may vary from place to place.

*Hanok Guesthouse

Hanok Stay refers to staying in a traditional Korean house. It is a good opportunity to experience traditional Korean lifestyle and culture. The traditional houses available for hanok stays are decades to hundreds of years old. They have been somewhat renovated for the convenience and safety of its guests, but the traditional Korean style and sentiment are still retained.

Old furniture, paper-pasted windows, and props like soy jars add to the traditional ambiance. Most homes for hanok stay have electronic goods, including a TV set, and Western-style toilets, but some still have traditional toilets. If you prefer a Western-style toilet, you are strongly recommended to make reservations in advance. Some houses offer various programs to experience Korean culture, including tea ceremonies, pottery making, and traditional Korean folk games. Simple meals are usually available at an extra charge.

Houses for hanok stay vary in size; some are very large with a guest house and a main building, while others are small with only bedrooms and a living room. Room rates also vary widely. You are recommended to consider various factors when choosing one, such as the room rate and nearby tourist attractions.

*Home Stay

Foreigners visiting Korea can stay at a Korean home with a host family instead of at a hotel or a motel. This is called a home stay. Unlike other accommodations, a home stay arrangement allows you to experience and understand Korea and its culture more easily since you will live at a Korean home with a Korean family. If you are interested in learning the Korean language, it would

be an especially good option for you since you would naturally be exposed to the Korean language in an actual household setting.

This arrangement is beneficial for both guests and hosts since a host can experience foreign culture and learn basic expressions in foreign languages without going abroad. Many hosts are very interested in foreign languages and foreign countries and can manage simple, practical conversations. They may, therefore, be able to recommend some worthwhile tourist attractions or, if you are lucky, they may give you a guided tour or want to keep in touch with you after your stay. In principle, a home stay arrangement entails a private room and breakfast.

You may need to share other items like home appliances with your host. If you want lunch and dinner in addition to breakfast, there will be extra charges. Lodging fees need to be paid upfront on the date of arrival. It is usually US$40 per night for the first week (1-7 days), but it may differ slightly depending on the home stay placement agency. Lower rates are applied for long-term stays and when a room is shared with other visitors. Most home stays offer optional airport pick-up services for an extra charge.