Hotels in Busan

Accommodations in Busan range from high-end beach resorts and rental condos to small yeogwan and love motels.

Although most of the high-end resorts are in Haeundae, there are a variety of motels and midpriced lodgings throughout the city. Make sure you specify that you want a room with a bed (chimdae bahng); otherwise, you'll end up with a Korean-style ondol room where you sleep on the floor on padded blankets (the floors are heated in the winter). Unless otherwise indicated, a 10% VAT will usually be added to prices quoted for high-end hotels. Lower-end yeogwan and love motels quote flat fees that you pay upfront when you check in. High season in Busan is from mid-July to August, when the kids are out of school and the water becomes a comfortable temperature for swimming. Be sure to reserve a room in advance if planning a trip during that time, but usually it's not difficult to just walk in and get a room in town.

Other than the accommodations listed here, two of Busan's temples offer overnight stays with an opportunity to meditate and participate in temple life. Spending a night at Beomeosa (tel. 051/508-3122) costs W50,000 to W80,000 per night, which includes dinner and breakfast. The smaller, less famous Hongbeopsa (tel. 051/508-0345) offers a cheaper stay at W20,000 per night. They ask that you make reservations at least 10 days in advance.