Hotels, not hostels. I'll never stay in a hostel...

The guesthouse I stayed at was the popular Namsan guesthouse back in 2012 I think? Everyone was harping about how good this guesthouse is for the price, blah blah blah. Beds were not comfy at all for me, I had sores all over my back every day and yes I slept in the most optimal position too. I could hear the rooms next door at night very clearly too, which I didn't like. Cleanliness was just so-so, though there were still pubic hairs on the bedsheets so... yeah. Toilet had some stains of pee, but was easily washed off.
Then when it came to eating or cleaning, well... I know it's called a guesthouse for a reason and not a hotel, but to me I felt I wasted time doing unnecessary things where I could spend it touring outside instead.

Then of course they once had a curfew time of coming back at a certain time (11pm I think?). I found that really stupid. That was the only 1 time I stayed in a guesthouse.

Ever since then, every time I go S.Korea, I'll stay in a hotel or a serviced apartment. Yeah ultimately is you pay for what you get. But I get the extras I appreciate like free parking for my car, actually clean rooms that are pre-inspected, the same no hassle check ins even if most hotels only allow check-ins at 3pm (really, sometimes people just need to learn how to ask politely, many foreigners don't) and of course privacy.

The way I see it, if I'm going to walk so much, going from places to places, covering many areas, coming back late at whatever time I wish, and just like freaking relax without "rules" so I can recharge my batteries for the next day, that's what I like.

I'm sure there are a lot of good guesthouses, otherwise they won't remain popular until today. My experience was a one-off, so I'm absolutely not generalizing. No one should take my word that guesthouses are bad. But for me since then, I'd gladly pay more for my own sake of convenience basically.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Oct 15 2016, 02:14 PM

i can safely say your experiences are outdated liao but understable la. when you earn more money you would wanna splurge more for comfort as well. haha

double post

This post has been edited by zstan: Oct 15 2016, 06:55 PM

Unless you are coming for business, airbnb > hotels anytime.

Ya, that's why my opinion on guesthouses are not valid.


Agree, that's why I mentioned service apartments too, which doubles as airbnb also. Usually I stay at gangnam, it's a matter of convenience for me really.

But since most of my visits now a days are only a week+, hotels suit me quite well. Longer visits I definitely go for service apartments/airbnb.

gangnam is a boring place to live in if you don't go clubbing.

Boring as in not much things to do? That I agree. But I've been living in gangnam since I was transfering from Busan to Seoul when I was still working there. So it's very convenient for me as I know the place quite well.
Nothing about being boring or not, I honestly don't think anywhere is really boring if you know where to look for things and what to do.

But let's not digress further as this is a travel thread.

Can elaborate more on Gangnam what. Still relevant to the thread i'm sure it's more than COEX and expensive cafes

Yeah standing in line at immigration. Changi seems a nicer airport compared to Inc he on.

Damn, the railway workers strike is still ongoing. The truck drivers are now joining the strike as well.

Fatty Kim is doing heavy saber rattling too.

This post has been edited by joytest: Oct 17 2016, 09:53 AM

for me, giving 10 days in Seoul isn't enough for me.
Still missing travelling at Seoul.
Wanted to explore Busan if have other chance to go South Korea in future.

Attractions wise, nothing interesting. If one is buddhist, the Bongeunsa temple is quite decent to visit. But other than that, it's a rich man's playground. It's high life style, fine dining, and for those who like to spot celebrities; they're really not that difficult to look for in gangnam. Have at times occasionally walked into cafes and just see a kpop star there buying coffee, it's like almost nothing really.

But yeah, attractions wise... it's boring.

COEX pales in comparison to our own Pavillion though...


Yeah... until today I still don't understand how Incheon is the best airport in the world.

As for the railway workers strike, that one cakap besar only. I was there on the week the strike was going on, public transport services weren't disrupted much (if at all).

Had some really nice sujebi today for 3900 won while walking around near KwangJang market, and blew a bit on a very nice fancy dinner at one of the top rated restaurants as a one-time treat since my birthday is coming up hehe.

Weather isn't very cold now, around 20 degrees.

Haha. I wouldn't consider any airport to be the best if it doesn't serve food 24 hours a day.

Had quite a shock when most of the shops were closed by 9pm. Even fast food also no mood do business d.

Hi guys,

Anyone here knows of any hotel in Jeju which provide room decoration for marriage proposal?

Thank you.

i guess any hotel will do. if you request beforehand, they can help to set up.

Do you have any recommendations for good, really local local food in Busan? I'm heading there this weekend for a few days. Will be staying near Gwangalli beach but willing to travel for good food.


koonghx thank you very much for the dinner recommendation it was fantastic and a good opportunity to meet up and make a new friend.


What you do for a living ? So much time to travel one?

anyone know G601 gangnam guesthouse? gonna stay there for 8 nights... is it ok? my main reason go to korea is to skying.. anyone can story or tell how to get to yongpyong from gangnam?

You Malaysian but work in Korea? Studying MBA there too? Is the class conducted in Korean or English? A bit curious only.

perhaps you are being sponsored there to take MBA so learning korean is not a must? because most of my friends who went there for further studies must learn and pass certain level of korean language.