12 Interesting Vocab For Accommodation In Korean

Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/ko/accommodation-in-korean/

Looking for a place to stay as superb as Hotel Del Luna? Worry no more; we got your back. So, why don’t we learn some accommodation in Korean 숙소 (Sukso) first?

Finding accommodation in South Korea is not a hard job because there are lots of Korean hotels and inns that you can book ahead of time. But, finding where you would be comfortable, especially during the peak season, can be tough for some people, especially if they don’t know how to speak Korean.

If you’re planning to stay in Korea for a short trip, you can choose a Korean accommodation that suits your taste. But, if you’ll stay for good because you have a job or you want to study, better find yourself your own Hong Banjang like Hong Du-Sik in “Hometown Cha-cha-cha” to help you find your perfect Korean accommodation.

In this blog, you will learn some words and phrases about accommodation in Korean. Although most of the receptionists and staff know how to speak the English language, it is still nice for you to learn some words for accommodation in Korean. This will be useful if you’re the type of person who loves to travel to Korea. However, if you are a beginner, don’t worry because the pronunciation and meaning of the words will be included. You can also learn other languages with Ling App if you want to.

Accommodations Near Bus And Train Stations

Finding accommodation in Korea will make you consider different factors. First, of course, your budget, second is how long you will stay, and third is the location. In booking accommodation, you should consider its distance from the main transportations like bus and train stations. This will make it easier for you to travel and find your way when you get lost. Here are some examples of hotels and accommodation within the city that are near to the bus and train stations.

1. Millennium Hilton Seoul — Myeong-dong, Seoul Railway Station
2. Hotel the Designers Seoul Station — Yongsan, Seoul Railway Station
3. Tmark Grand Hotel Myeongdong — Myeong-dong, Seoul Railway Station
4. Dormy Inn SEOUL Gangnam — Gangnam, Seoul Express Bus Terminal
5. The Sweet Castle Apartment- Gangnam, Seoul Express Bus Terminal

Tips When Booking An Accommodation In Korea

Korean accommodations can range from the most simple one down to a superb one. If you have been to Korea or even just by watching their K-dramas, you’ll be amazed at how Koreans take their technology and facilities to the next level. But, these amazing things in Korea can also cause some problems and troubles when. So, here are a few tips that you can consider when you book accommodation in Korea

1. Check to see if the hotel you want to stay at is on the tax refund list before making a reservation.
2. Check the mirrors. Pat the mirror to determine whether it is a single-sided or dual-sided mirror. If there are no holes in the mirror, it can be a “Sneak Mirror,” in which the outside seems to be a mirror, but the inside is glass that can be seen after the light is transmitted at night.
3. Check for “Sneak Cams.” If you notice a red dot on the pinhole’s screen, it’s most likely a camera that takes photos of guests.
4. When entering the room, check the cabinet and the toilet first to ensure that the room is clean.
5. Check the peephole and phone if they work properly. This will help you feel secure.
6. If you’re a nonsmoker, make sure to inquire with the front desk about getting a smoke-free room or doesn’t smell like cigarettes.
7. Make sure to check if you need an adapter for your electronic equipment, such as a charger, blower, or hair iron. If the adapter isn’t used or isn’t entirely functional, it could cause electrical damage and fire.
8. There’s no tipping culture in Korea. But if you see a tipping box, you are welcome to do so.
9. While their digital locks are truly amazing, make sure to ask the owner if they have fixed the lock. Other guests who also stayed there might still know its password.

Ondol And Standard Room: What’s The Difference?

We cannot talk about accommodation in Korea without discussing these terms. There are two distinct sorts of rooms from which to pick. If you are traveling in large groups or families, an ondol room is perfect for you. With the use of thin mattresses and having a little furniture, there’d definitely be a spot for everyone to sleep comfortably on the floor.

The standard room, on the other hand, has the style of western hotels. It has some basic furniture, but the bed is not that firm and the mattresses used are not too soft either. Whatever you choose, you can still rest and sleep. It’s all that matters anyway.

Naming Accommodations In Korean Language

There are a lot of beautiful places to visit in Korea. You have the different tourist attractions, national parks, and even the sets of your favorite K-drama series. But, after a long, tiring yet wonderful day, you would want to rest in a comfortable accommodation like a hotel, inn, apartment, or even just private rooms offered by your friends or other locals living in Korea. But first, we should learn how to say the word accommodation in Korean.

숙소 (Sukso) — Accommodation

The Korean word for accommodation is 숙소 (Sukso).

찜질방 (Jjimjilbang) or 사우나 (Sauna)

English Translation: Bathhouse or Sauna

Remember the iconic scene in “Crash Landing On You” when the North Korean soldiers went to South Korea to look for Captain Ri? If you can still recall where they initially stayed, then congratulations because this is the first word about accommodation in Korean that we will be learning.

Most people go to a sauna (사우나) or jjimjilbangsfor a traditional Korean spa experience, but just a few would remain overnight. Korean saunas are budget-friendly, and it is the cheapest accommodation that you can get. However, if you prefer quiet and private accommodation, this isn’t really for you. It is a little noisy, and it doesn’t have mattresses. Older Koreans love saunas (사우나) because of the warm floor and both baths.

Saunas (사우나) may not be your top choice for accommodation, but you should really try it to complete your whole trip. From the apparel set to the different baths, you’ll surely fulfill your Korean dream experience. Remember, Koreans don’t flex this in their K-dramas for no reason. It’s something that you should discover by yourself.

호텔 (Hotel)

English Translation: Hotel

I know what comes into your mind when you hear the word ‘Hotel’ in Korean. It’s definitely Hotel del Luna from the K-drama series. Well, hotels in Korea can be as grand as that hotel. If you’re a traveler who wants to stay in a hotel, go to the big cities like Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. If you’re from the west, you’ll surely enjoy Korea’s megacorps like Lotte. It has the vibe of western hotels. You can see some familiar hotels like Mariott, Ramada, and Best Western.

Most hotels in Korea are usually a standard hotel-style like what the western hotels are. You can also see other types of hotels like apartment hotels (아파트식 호텔 | apateusik hotel) and capsule hotel (캡슐 호텔 | kaepsyul hotel).

The price of hotels in Korea varies because of different factors. For starters, hotels located in Korea’s big and major cities are more pricey than those found in small and far cities. In addition, hotels in Korea are usually divided into three classes. Starting with the best we have, super-deluxe, followed by deluxe, first-class, second-class, and third-class.

여관 (Yeogwan)

English Translation: Inn

The second accommodation in Korean that we will learn about is 여관 (Yeogwan) or inn. As the western influences continued to spread in Korea, most 여관 (Yeogwan) changed to a motel. Because of this, you can assume that those who remained as inns (여관 | Yeogwan) have outdated and older facilities, making it less popular than other accommodation. The good thing about an inn (여관 Yeogwan) is you will have your own bathroom.

This might not be your cup of tea, but this can be your only choice when you’re in a small town that’s far from big hotels and other accommodation. After all, after a long tiring trip, you still want to sleep and rest. A bed is still a bed.

모텔 (Motel)

English Translation: Motel

The next accommodation in Korean that you’ll learn about is a motel (모텔 | Motel). It is also called love motels because couples go there to have an intimate time with each other. Motels (모텔) can be rented hourly, and the price is very low. When you look at it from the outside, it may look like a normal hotel, but it has really different features on the inside. For starters, motels have darkened windows. The lighting is also romantic colored, and the wallpaper used is quite odd.

But, when we talk about accommodation, some travelers prefer to stay in motels. Why not? Motels are cheap, it has Wi-Fi, television, own bathroom, and most importantly, a bed. Of course, there will be downsides that you can hear, like the smell of cigarettes and not being totally sound-proofed. But, you can always check the room first before deciding to check in.

호스텔 (Hoseutel)

English Translation: Hostel

The hostel 호스텔 (hoseutel) or youth hostel (유스 호스텔 yuseu hoseutel) is another accommodation in Korean that you need to know about because it is also popular among travelers or backpackers from different countries. It’s budget-friendly, and it gives you an opportunity to meet other people.

In a hostel, you can find all the different sleeping arrangements. Although the rooms usually have standard beds, you can also find rooms that have bunk beds where guests can sleep. It has a shared bathroom, kitchen, and sometimes living room. If you’re a private person, you can also book private rooms. There’s a lot of hostels that you can find in Seoul and Jeju Island. But in some towns and cities, you might find it hard to find one.

민박집 (Minbakjip)

English Translation: Bed and Breakfast

If you’re in a small town and on a tight budget, The 민박집 (minbakjip) is a word about accommodation in Korean that you need to learn. It is basically another person’s spare room, but they have their own rules. It is way cheaper than hotels and motels.

Suppose you have booked a 민박집 (minbakjip, you’ll be getting what you have paid for. You’ll have a private room in ondol style, and sometimes, you get to share the kitchen and bathroom with the house owner.

게스트 하우스 (Geseuteu Hauseu)

English Translation: Guest House

Hostels and guest homes are comparable. Guesthouses can be similar to bed and breakfasts in Western countries or hostels with a more relaxed atmosphere in someone’s home. Regular people usually own them. This is also an important vocabulary that you should lead about accommodation in Korean.

한옥 게스트하우스 (Hanok Geseuteuhauseu)

English Translation: Hanok Guesthouses

If you have been watching K-dramas, you are surely familiar with the Koreans’ traditional houses, which are called “Hanok.” If you really want to imbibe the Korean culture, history, and traditions, this is the accommodation that’s perfect for you.

With the calm environment, having no Wi-Fi and TV, you can fully rest or unplug from the busy city and complicated everyday life.

에어비앤비 (Eeobiaenbi)

English Translation: Airbnb

For travelers, Airbnb is not a new word for you but since we’re talking about vocabulary for accommodation in Korean, let’s have a quick discussion about Airbnb, which is pretty popular in South Korea in this modern time.

They are similar to minbaks and guesthouses, although they are more on-trend and can be pricier. The booking system is also easy. Upon booking, you can see a lot of pictures of the accommodation so that you can really choose properly and wisely.

리조트 (Rijoteu)

English Translation: Resort

In Korea, resorts are relatively pricey. But if you have a budget, why not? The more expensive ones usually come with your own kitchen, an indoor or outdoor pool, and a breakfast buffet.

펜션 (Pensyeon)

English Translation: Pension

Pensions (펜션 | Pensyeon) are basically vacations home that families can rent or book to have quality time or vacation together. Pensions are located in calm towns or on the outskirts of the countryside. Most of the time, they are ondol-style rooms targeted.

캠핑 (Kaemping)

English Translation: Camping

Camping is also a popular past-time in Korea. Camping is a terrific way to make your vacation extra. You can easily reserve a campsite or a plot in a national park. Families usually do this just to be away from the busy city life and enjoy nature with the company of each other.

Korean Words And Phrases Related To Accommodation

Let’s widen your vocabulary about accommodations in Korean by learning these words, phrases, and expressions:

Going To Korea? Learn Korean With Ling App Now!

Traveling to Korea can be pretty daunting at first, but if you have Korean language skills with you, you can surely get by. While it’s convenient to know about different vocabulary about accommodation in Korean, it is still convenient to learn another vocabulary such as basic words and phrases, travel phrases, basic greetings, and more. So, if you’re worried about how to do it, let Ling App do the work for you.

Backed with linguistic research and spaced repetition system, Ling App will give you the language learning experience you need in learning Korean and other languages. It has a variety of topics to choose from that you can learn with the help of images and audio recordings by native speakers.

With Ling App in your pocket, making connections with the local Koreans is easy. Download the app and start learning Korean now!