Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cubanlord]

I need your help. Valentine's Day is around the corner. My wife and I have hit up The Ritz Carlton in Seoul and The Westin Chosun Hotel in Busan. Where else can we go in South Korea that will have a few things to see and a 4 to 5 star hotel? Let me know. Thanks.

[denverdeath]

Try the Beo/Buh-moon Lake Resort area of Gyuhng-joo...maybe the Hyundai Hotel there? Not sure, but I think there are a few pricier places around there and lots of stuff to see...as you know, it's Korea's most historic city.

http://www.gyeongju.go.kr/eng/main/index.asp

http://www.gyeongju.go.kr/eng/07/01.asp

[cubanlord]

this seems nice. I will look around for nice hotels. To be honest with you, I am still leaning towards Busan again . I really enjoyed it last time. The food in the hotel was unbelievable!!!

[denverdeath]

If you click on the second link, it'll bring you to a page with "accomodations" on the left side. Clicking on that, there will be first class, etc dropping down. There's a Chosun listed under the first class ones...maybe you can get something similar there? I guess it all depends on what you're looking for. If you want more of the touristy stuff and cleaner air, Gyuhng-joo might be a bit better than Boo-sahn. Gyuhng-joo gets pretty old fast(I've been there at least six times), but it's nice once or twice. Also, if you wanted something a bit quieter and more romantic, it might be a bit better...just watch out for the ah-joo-mah food pimps in some locations of the city as I find them to be somewhat annoying.

[whitebeagle]

I went to Bohmun lake area last winter and stayed in 'westin chosun'. In winter there isn't much to do around there apart from visiting 'bulguksa'. I think Hyundai hotel might be ok but westin chosun was downright scummy with a non-event casino and really old furniture. The food in Kyungjoo was one of the worst I've tasted in Korea. The best dining was to be found in family mart, unfortunately. Sorry to post so many negative things about the place, I wasn't too impressed when I was there last.

[hogwonguy1979]

[cubanlord]

[Mr. Pink]

Whynot goto chejudo? Lots of excellent hotels there....

[whitebeagle]

Love Motels rule!
They are pretty much everywhere too. You can recognise them by their horredous decor + sometimes strange names (saw one called 'Hiddink' once),. We stayed in them for most of our trips around korea; Goeje do, yeosu, chuncheon, sokcho, busan. Compared to the so-called 5-star hotels they are outrageous value for money, not usually more than 50k and often less. This is bcos they are usually used by koreans for a quick bunk-up. Having said that ive seen families staying in them too, probably to save money.
The ones weve been to have been very well equipped; internet, huge tv, clean linen, fridge, jacuzzi (sometimes), and 'mood lighting' .
Only downside is the slightly furtive nature of other guests and sometimes the nighttime serenade of couples in joyous union The people who run them dont give a toss, theyve seen it all b4 a million times.
Oh yeah, my hagwon put me in one for the first few days until my apartment was ready. The staff seemed to know my director pretty well...

[haywill22]

I've stayed in quite a few hotels around Korea.

My favorite are the Love Hotels, you get a great room for real cheap. The only drawback is I've never stayed at one that had a comftorable bed.

If you and your wife want an interesting weekend, try taking the 20 dollar boat trip out to HaeGumKang at the Southern tip of Goeje-do Island or take a bus out to Boesung and check out the green tea fields, try out the green tea Sauna's and eat green tea Soo-jea-bee.

If your looking for 4-5 star hotels:
J.W. Marriott in Seoul is my absolute favorite, best looking and comftorable rooms with great food and attached to a mall/movietheatre. Fork over the extra 50 bucks for a deluxe room -- relaxing in the bathtub with all the condiments (aroma therapy, bath beads, large bathrobes) and better mattress are worth it.

Shilla hotel and Westin Chosun in Seoul are Way overpriced. 360 a night and they arn't much better than J.W. marriott, at westin a cup of coffee and slice of toast cost me 12,000.

Lotte Hotel in Busan is really good and priced well, their coffee shop has two tigers behind glass -- interesting.

I've stayed at both Hyundae Hotel and Hilton Hotel at Bo-mun resort. Both nice hotels, food and bars suck, and I was bored out of my mind at the resort -- with nothing to do outside of the temple and kings tombs.

The commadore in Busan is interesting, the rooms were interesting as everything is overtly traditional Korean, but overall the hotel felt dark and dirty.

I havn't stayed at the Ritz in Seoul, was it nice?

[cubanlord]

The Ritz was fantastic, I have a few pictures of it on my website: www.thesabiofamily.com . If you want to see what it looks like (the rooms, interior of the hotel, etc. go where the link takes you). The food in the hotel was absolutely fantatasic; overpriced too.

[brento1138]