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Securing a room booking in Seoul for Dec. 24th?

 
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sojourner1



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug

PostPosted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:37 pm    Post subject: Securing a room booking in Seoul for Dec. 24th? Reply with quote

How do you secure something below the $100 to $400 a night range? $50 a night is what I want to pay. I can't believe all these reviews saying $150 a night in Seoul is cheap. I couldn't fathom paying that much for a bed and shower. 4 nights of that room would buy you a high quality bed or pay 1 months rent on a place with a kitchen. I didn't like Seoul Backpackers after they moved to a new location about a year ago. Instead of $17/night dorm room, it's tiny single rooms for $40/night with all these stupid rules and a direct threat to throw you out if you break them. I just don't want to show up around 7PM Christmas Eve trying to rent a motel from adjummas who can't speak English or do anything as I've tried that before and it didn't work out too well. I want a place in Itaewon that's walking distance from the bars and restaurants or at least something not too far away. OK, many of you talk trash on that place, but it's great to visit for a few days if you live in the sticks.
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definitely maybe



Joined: 16 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

if you want to be within walking distance of itaewon, you'll have to accept your surroundings. there's a crappy motel up on hooker hill that i've never even considered checking out. there's also a motel over by the mcdonalds. i believe those are pretty cheap. most everything else, at least to my knowledge, is going to cost closer to a minimum of 100,000 won. i'm curious about "all these stupid rules" you've mentioned.

if i were you, i'd get a cheaper place over by myeongdong or chungmuro. hell, maybe even jongno. kind of far, but nothing crazy. then again, i've never had any trouble getting a room anywhere in korea. good luck!
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sojourner1



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug

PostPosted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh, the Seoul backpackers has a no eating and drinking in the room rule. If they catch you, then you're out without refund. I thought that was quite unreasonable, because we're adults paying 40,000 won for a room smaller than a typical 20,000 won a night yeogwon room. It's just hard to rent yeogwons since those old ladies often won't do business with us. It's a tiny bed in a tiny room with a tiny tiny window though has a bathroom. And the heat or A/C doesn't work when you're out so that takes a while to get going.

I can understand having a rule of no loud drinking parties. Besides, the rule also is no guests of any sort so you would even be up there with anyone in the first place. I thought they were overly strict.
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tefain



Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Location: Not too far out there

PostPosted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's not much in Itaewon in the way of cheap lodging, compared to other places. I'm not saying it isn't there, but if was going to spend less than 50,000 on a room, I would look at some of the love motels around Samgakji. The rooms are decent for the money, and you're close to Itaewon.
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sojourner1



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug

PostPosted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

tefain wrote:
There's not much in Itaewon in the way of cheap lodging, compared to other places. I'm not saying it isn't there, but if was going to spend less than 50,000 on a room, I would look at some of the love motels around Samgakji. The rooms are decent for the money, and you're close to Itaewon.


Do these rent by the night? Can you just walk in or is there a way to secure a booking ahead of time. It would be ideal to have a booking and just go straight to check in as to get to the part of enjoying my holiday ASAP.

I'm also concerned about foreigner friendliness as I've been turned away from cheap motels a number of times around Korea, including areas near Itaewon I was walking around in.
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Ultimo Hombre



Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Location: BEER STORE

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I stayed t one of these places in Jongno/Insadong area. It had a bathroom in each room, tv, small fridge. It's not too far from Itaewon. Check em out.

http://www.hostels.com/kr.se.html
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Beeyee



Joined: 29 May 2007

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

definitely maybe wrote:
. there's a crappy motel up on hooker hill that i've never even considered checking out.


That place is NASTY!

Never again.....
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tefain



Joined: 19 Sep 2007
Location: Not too far out there

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sojourner1 wrote:
Do these rent by the night? Can you just walk in or is there a way to secure a booking ahead of time. It would be ideal to have a booking and just go straight to check in as to get to the part of enjoying my holiday ASAP.
I'm also concerned about foreigner friendliness as I've been turned away from cheap motels a number of times around Korea, including areas near Itaewon I was walking around in.
They're not really the type of place that would book ahead. Just find some MOTEL signs amongst the neon and ask how much for a room (usually between 35-45/night). I think some may want more of the "short time" customers as I've also gotten negative reactions from some. One adjumma even put her hands to the side of her face to mime sleep to see if that's what I wanted the room for, then said no when I said thats what I wanted. Surprised But that's rare, and there's so many I don't let it get to me, just keep shopping.
Do insist on seeing the room first, one place in Dongdaemun wouldn't let me see the room, so I walked. If you do well, you can get a room with a large bed, refrigerator with drinks included, PC with internet, a nice multi-jet shower, and a water machine. Much better value than the Hamilton I'm sure.
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maingman



Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Location: left Korea

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:31 pm    Post subject: ,, Reply with quote

http://www.hotelwide.com/english/main.asp

http://innostel.visitseoul.net/eng/main/main.php?v_lang=eng


Here is a link for the YMCA in Seoul:
http://www.ymca.or.kr/hotel/eng/index_eng.html

It's the only hostel name I know of, but it isn't a hostel it's a hotel.


Here's a link for hostel booking online: http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/south-korea/seoul/

Lonely Planet lists 40 places to stay in Seoul including homestays. They also have a list for Busan. Checkout : http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/ Burt from the names listed they could be a bit pricey.


Here's a list of hostels around the country : http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AC/AC_EN_4_1_1.jsp?recommCid=&areaCode=&category=B02010600&menuId=3383&byclass=&gotoPage=2&#selectBox

kyha.or.kr 02-410-2114

guesthouseinkorea.com 02-3675-2205
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qwerty



Joined: 10 Sep 2007

PostPosted: Wed Dec 17, 2008 8:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you can try seoul youth hostel. it's in namsan.
business room for 60,000 and dorm room for 19,000
http://www.seoulyh.go.kr/english/main.htm
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D.D.



Joined: 29 May 2008