Seoul & Busan Hotel Review: Insider Tips & Recommendations!
Hey travel buddies! I'm sharing my latest hotel experiences in South Korea - Seoul & Busan! At the end of this post, I'd love to hear your budget-friendly hotel suggestions near subway stations that you've personally tried! Help future travelers out! 🙏
My Hotel Booking Strategy (You Can Steal It!)
Here's how I find the perfect hotels:
- Subway Proximity: Must be super close to a subway station!
- Ratings & Reviews: Gotta have good reviews!
- Price: Within my budget!
Seriously, this formula works! Being near the subway makes travel SO easy, especially with luggage. Plus, I aim for hotels on a subway line that minimizes transfers to and from the airport.
The Importance of Reviews (Don't Skip This!)
I take reviews VERY seriously! If a hotel has hundreds of reviews but a bunch complain about cleanliness, noise, or bad service, I'm OUT!
Price Hunting: My Secret Weapon
Here's my price-saving tip: Watch out for sales on Tr.ave.loka, Booking, and Ago.da. Compare prices across these sites – that discount code can save you some serious cash!
Pro-Tip: Remember you can't have it all - 10/10 convenience for a cheap price. Think about adding a few extra bucks to book that extra comfy hotel you deserve! I personally don't use Air.B.nb cause I don't find them cheaper.
Seoul vs. Busan Hotel Prices: The Truth!
Let's be real: Hotels in Busan are generally cheaper than in Seoul.
My goal was to keep my hotel budget around $120 USD (approx. 1.5 million KRW) per night for two people. Finding the right hotel takes time and effort, sometimes even a week of research!
My Hotel Recommendations:
Busan: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Busan Station
- Booking Link: Book Now!
- Price: ~$110 USD (approx. 1.485 million KRW) per night (I stayed for 3 nights)
- Why I Loved It:
- Seriously steps away from Busan Station (KTX train!).
- Major bus stop right outside, easy access to everything.
- Located right on the Orange MRT line.
- 4-star hotel at a bargain price!
- Clean, spacious rooms, and a super professional front desk that let me check in 2 hours early!
- My booking got messed up with scheduling, the staff gave me a larger room to make up for it!
- Quick and easy check-in. I'm definitely staying here again!
- Overall Rating: 10/10!
Seoul: Ekonomy Hotel Myeongdong Premier
- Booking Link: Book Now!
- Price: ~$80 USD (approx. 1.061 million KRW) per night (I stayed for 4 nights)
- Location Decision: I debated between Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Dongdaemun, but ultimately chose Myeongdong because it was central to my itinerary. Next time, I'm checking out Hongik!
- Why I Chose Myeongdong:
- Just 150m from Myeongdong Station (Exit 6)!
- Great reviews and an elevator (essential!).
- One of the most affordable options in Myeongdong.
- Daily room cleaning.
- Friendly and helpful staff with decent English.
- Olive Young across the street, and a GS25 convenience store with laundry facilities nearby (perfect for washing clothes before heading home!).
- Perfect for foodies and shopaholics!
- Ideal for budget travelers who just need a place to sleep.
- Cons:
- Small rooms - barely space for two suitcases.
- Not soundproof - you can hear everything!
- No daily water refills - you have to get it yourself.
- Tiny bathroom with no separation between the shower and toilet.
- Seoul Station doesn't have escalators down to Line 4 (major luggage struggle!). Myeongdong Station (Exit 7) only has a short escalator.
- Lesson Learned: For future Seoul trips, I'll prioritize hotels near Hongik Station (it has an all-stop train from the airport – super convenient!).
Stay tuned for my next post!
```