Editor's Choice: Hanok

Staying in a hanok, or traditional-style C-shaped house, is an affordable and ideal way to sample Korean life. There are usually around four to 10 rooms and you sleep and eat Korean-style at ground level, on floors heated and cooled by ongol, a traditional Korean system. Try Korean cooking, calligraphy or relax watching an evening performance of Korean music. Contact Korea Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses) for details.

Modern tourist hotels in major cities and tourist areas are registered with the government and graded: super deluxe (5-star), deluxe (4-star), first class (3-star), second class (2-star) and third class (1-star). A service charge of 10% and 10% VAT are included in hotel bills; tipping is not necessary.

This is an inexpensive way to experience Korean culture and meet other tourists. Modest in style and decor, many are re-modelled family homes and so often have a shared bathroom. Contact the Korea Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses).

Pensions are a relatively new concept, often European-style villas, and usually found in tourist areas. They are especially popular with couples and families. Condominiums are apartment-style lodgings usually situated near ski resorts, famous mountains, parks and beaches. Also developing in cities is the concept of ‘serviced apartments', suitable for longer stays and business travellers.

Situated in forests and amusement parks, log cabins are ideal for families and groups. Mountain huts and shelters (daespiso) are located in national parks and are great for hikers. They are equipped with basic beds, light meals, clean drinking and bathing water.

Supported by the Korea Tourism Organisation, this registered nationwide home-stay placement service offers visitors the chance to live in a Korean home, giving a unique perspective on local life.

Campsites are located throughout the country in national parks, recreational forests and amusement parks. Services such as 'tent rent' are provided as well as shower facilities and bathrooms. Contact Korea Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses) for details.

There more than 70 youth hostels located across the country.

The Korea Tourism Organisation can provide a list of yogwans, reasonably-priced motels where rooms usually consist of a small mattress and a firm pillow on the ondol, Korea's traditional floor-heating system. Some may have Western-style rooms too.

Korea's temple stay programme (website: www.templestaykorea.com) gives visitors a glimpse of Buddhist life.

Korea Homestay
3rd Floor, Songok Building,154-3 Myeongnyun-Dong, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: (2) 766 4663.
Website: www.homestaykorea.com

Korea Hotel Reservation Center
PO Box 1099, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, USA
Tel: (845) 426 7335.
Website: www.khrc.com

Korean Youth Hostels Association
Room 408, Jeokseon Hyundai Building, 80 Jeokseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: (2) 725 3031.
Website: www.kyha.or.kr