Travelers A
   Seoul International Center Hostel

 INFORMATION
**   Accomodation of  Seoul KOREA  **

Accommodations
From Top-class hotel resorts, affordable guesthouses, to traditional Hanok lodging.
Come and experience the comforts of Korea!

Youth Hostel

 Motel/Inn

 Guest House

 Home Stay

Foreigners visiting Korea can stay at a Korean home with a host family instead of at a hotel or a motel. This is called a home stay. Unlike other accommodations, a home stay arrangement allows you to experience and understand Korea and its culture more easily since you will live at a Korean home with a Korean family. If you are interested in learning the Korean language, it would

be an especially good option for you since you would naturally be exposed to the Korean language in an actual household setting.
This arrangement is beneficial for both guests and hosts since a host can experience foreign culture and learn basic expressions in foreign languages without going abroad. Many hosts are very interested in foreign languages and foreign countries and can manage simple, practical conversations. They may, therefore, be able to recommend some worthwhile tourist attractions or, if you are lucky, they may give you a guided tour or want to keep in touch with you after your stay. In principle, a home stay arrangement entails a private room and breakfast. You may need to share other items like home appliances with your host. If you want lunch and dinner in addition to breakfast, there will be extra charges. Lodging fees need to be paid upfront on the date of arrival. It is usually US$30 per night for the first week (1-7 days), but it may differ slightly depending on the home stay placement agency. Lower rates are applied for long-term stays and when a room is shared with other visitors. Most home stays offer optional airport pick-up services for an extra charge.


* Introduction to Home Stays

Homestay Korea
http://www.homestaykorea.com/ (Korean, English, Japanese)
Tel:+82-2- 2643-9663 (Korean, English)

Labo Korea
http://www.labostay.or.kr/ ( Korean, English )
Tel :+82-2- 736- 0521   ( Korean, English, Japanese )
 

Hotels

Hotels are classified into five categories: super deluxe (five-star), deluxe (five-star), first class (four-star), second class (three-star), third class (two-star).

Generally, a double room in a super deluxe hotel cost approximately 200,000-400,000 won (use of extra services and facilities not included); in a deluxe hotel 150,000-250,000 won, a first class hotel 100,000-150,000, second class 50,000-100,000 won, third class 30,000-100,000 won. The prices of hotels vary depending on season and location.

Hotels above deluxe class usually have a fitness center, sauna, a business center, restaurants and cafes. Hotels add a 10% VAT and 10% service charge. The 10% VAT (hotel tax) that was lifted during special tourism periods, such as Visit Korea 2001 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup, is now back in effect as of January 1, 2005.

Temple Stay

Temple stays are a unique opportunity for foreign tourists to live in a Buddhist temple and learn about and experience Korean Buddhist culture firsthand. Most temples are located deep in the mountains, so visitors can also fully enjoy the beauty of nature. Through spiritual training such as Zen meditation and Buddhist rites, you will achieve the kind of peace of mind that is so needed in the modern world. Thus, a temple stay is much more than a religion. It is a cultural experience that recharges you, handles your mental stress, and teaches you about traditional culture.

At a temple stay,barugongyang (Buddhist meal with traditional wooden bowls) or a tea ceremony is not about simply having a meal or sipping a cup of tea. It is a part of the general program of discipline and training. Pre-dawn Buddhist rites and Zen meditation may be physically exhausting, but they also bring mental relaxation - a sense of freedom and joy hardly found anywhere else. The basic program at a temple entails Buddhist rites, Zen meditation, tea ceremonies, and barugongyang . Various other activities have recently been added, including a walk around the temple, a mountain trek, lotus lantern making, and rubber stamp making.

What is a Temple Stay? 

A Temple Stay is a cultural-experience program designed to help people understand Korean Buddhism better. Temple stays offer various kinds of practicing methods such as Yebul (ceremonial service involving chanting), Chamseon (Zen meditation), Dahdoh (tea ceremony) and Balwoo Gongyang (communal Buddhist meal service). Participants can find their 'true self' amongst the harmony of nature while staying at a temple. Temple Life, the experience of temples is another program designed to help people understand Korea Buddhism and the life of monks better.

Related Temples

- Only the 4 temples listed below are available for single person reservations.

Mihwangsa Temple	274, Seojung-ri, Songri-myun, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do	+82-61-533-3521	www.mihwangsa.com
Golguksa Temple	San 304, Andong-ri, Yangbuk- myeon, Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk	+82-54-744-1689 +82-54-745-0246	www.golgulsa.com
Musangsa Temple	San 51-9, Hyanghan-ri, Gyerong- si, Chungcheongnam-do	+82-42-841-6084	www.musangsa.org
Jakwangsa Temple	649, Hakhwa-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon Metropolitan City	+82-42-822-9220

- The temples listed below are available for a minimum of 15 persons with reservations of a week's advance notice.

Gapsa Temple	52, Jungjang-ri, Gyerong- myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do	+82-41-857-8981	www.gapsa.org
Geumsansa Temple	39, Geumsan-ri, Geum-san myeon, Gimjae-si, Jeollabuk-do	+82-54-744-1689 +82-63-548-4441	www.geumsansa.org
Naesosa Temple	268, Seokpo-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do	+82-63-583-7281 +82-63-579-890	www.naesosa.pe.kr
Daeheungsa Temple	799, Gurim-ri, Sansan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeonnam	+82-61-535-5775	www.daeheungsa.com
Magoksa Temple	567, Unam-ri, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do	+82-41-841-6221	www.magoksa.or.kr
Beomeosa Temple	546, Cheongryong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan	+82-51-508-3122	www.beomeosa.co.kr
Jikjisa Temple	216, Wunsu-ri Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do	+82-54-436-6174	www.jikjisa.or.kr
Tongdosa Temple	583 Jisan-ri, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do	+82-55-382-7182	www.tongdosa.or.kr

Hanok Stay

Hanok (Traditional Korean Home) Stay

Hanok Stay refers to staying in a traditional Korean house. It is a good opportunity to experience traditional Korean lifestyle and culture. The traditional houses available for hanok stays are decades to hundreds of years old. They have been somewhat renovated for the convenience and safety of its guests, but the traditional Korean style and sentiment are still retained.
Old furniture, paper-pasted windows, and props like soy jars add to the traditional ambiance.Most homes


for hanok stay have electronic goods,including a TV set,and Western-style toilets, but some still have traditional toilets. If you prefer a Western-style toilet, you are strongly recommended to make reservations in advance. Some houses offer various programs to experience Korean culture, including tea ceremonies, pottery making, and traditional Korean folk games. Simple meals are usually available at an extra charge.
Houses for hanok stay vary in size; some are very large with a guest house and a main building, while others are small with only bedrooms and a living room. Room rates also vary widely. You are recommended to consider various factors when choosing one, such as the room rate and nearby tourist attractions.

     Jeonju Hanok Living Experience Center    

Address : Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si, Wansan-gu, Pungnam-dong 3-ga, 33-4
Website : www.jjhanok.com

Introduction
If you are looking for a breath of fresh air in Jeonju, Danyeon Gyodong and Pungnamdong Villages are the way to go. The premodern traditional Hanoks have been in the area since the early 20th century. Currently, there are more than 700 houses in the Hanok Village, situated as a brilliant tourism spot showing true traditional colors. In Jeonju, there are a number of tourism sites such as the Hanok Living Experience Center, Tradtional Wine Museum, Industrial Arts Exhibition Hall, Luxury Goods Shop, and Traditional Culture Center, with the Hanok Living Experience Center being situated in the center.

Room Rates
￦ 60,000~
* The room rate is the lowest price for this accommodation. Rates may vary according to season, room type and whether or not guests are entitled to discount rates. Please make sure to check the exact rate in advance before making your reservations. The room rate listed above is subject to change.

Meals
8:00AM Breakfast Included.

Discount Information
* Jeonju Rivera Hotel Sauna 50% discount coupon
* Jeonju Popular Restaurant discount coupon

Subsidiary Facilities

Sounder, Camcorder, Camera, Beam Projector, Slide Projector, etc. * Rates - 10:00AMAM ~ 6:00PM -------------------------------------------------------------
Facility Rate Remarks -------------------------------------------------------------
Daecheongmaru (Sarangchae) 30,000 Won 1hr use, max. 40-person conferences, Beam and Slide Projector -------------------------------------------------------------
※ Must make reservations 2 weeks in advance at latest and deposit 30% of the fee ※ Same-day rooming allowed if there are rooms available ※ Full refunds will be given if reservations are cancelled 2 days before the reservation date.

Reservations
063-287-6300

Notifications
* Facility Rates - Lodging, Traditional Experiences, Performances, Educational Tours, Seminars, Conferences * Program 1) Traditional Cultural Experience For groups of 30 or more, make reservations ahead of time. Daerye, Maedeub, Gongye, Pungmul, Pansori, Hanji, Hyangeum Jurye, Hanok Village Interview, Traditional Foods, and more. 1 ~ 3hrs, 5,000 ~ 10,000 Won. Please call 063-287-6300 for further details.

2) Camp
▶ Omni Bus 3 ri 3 saek A camp for children during their vacations starting in July. A chance to explore Jeollabuk-do on a 4-day 3-night trip. In the summer of 2005, they visited Pilbong Village, Jinan's Neunggil Village, and Jeonju's Hanok Village. In January of 2006, they visited Neuti Village, Jangsu's Haneulso Village, and Jeonju's Hanok Village. The camp explores each villages special landscapes, tea ceremonies, dairy farms, circular farming, and traditional experiences.

▶ Themed Camp A 2-day 1-night children's camp on the 4th Friday and Saturday of each month. Each month has a different theme, giving the children variety of excitement and fun. Traditional foods, folk songs, Mokgongye, Maedeubgongye, Hanji, and other traditional cultures such as wall painting, molding, map drawing, art cultures, folktale narration, theater arts, and more can be experienced on this trip. 3) Cultural Class

▶ Geomungo Class Lecturer - Noh Seon-Mi Schedule - Intermediate Class : Every Tuesday and Wednesday 4PM ~ 5PM Beginner Class : Every Tuesday and Wednesday 5PM ~ 6PM Lecture Fees - 30,000 Won a month

▶ Traditional Etiquettes Class Lecturer - Jeon In-Ju (Jeonbuk Etiquette Institute Principal) Schedule - Every Wednesday and Thursday 10AM ~ 12PM, 2PM ~ 4PM (4 Classes Weekly) Lecture Fees - Free in 2007 4) Educational Studies Program A traditional Korean buffet in a Hanok with performances (Korean instruments, Western instruments, Fusion, Mime, etc.). Indepth studies in scientific researches, a debate room, seminar rooms, workshops, and project facilities are available. There are a variety of food on the menu along with various performances to meet the tastes of all guests. ※ No programs available for the winter. 5) Program Performances An irregular monthly Saehwagwan performance. Performance dates are announced on the homepage, and letters will be mailed to members who have registered.

Directions
Jeonju Station - make a left and go straight (to Namwon) - make a right at Ajung Station Intersection - left at Jeonju High School (to Namwon) -> Rivera Hotel rear entrance - From the IC -left at the Expressway (towards Namwon) - Geumam Plaza, straight on Girinro (towards Namwon) - Rivera Hotel rear entrance to the right side

Public Transportation by Region
* Bus
1) Jeonju Station - Express Bus Terminal - Jeondong Catholic Church, bus #211, 221, 231, 241, 251, 291
2) Jeonju Station - Express Bus Terminal - Byeongmucheong Intersection, bus #711
3) Jeonju Station - Express Bus Terminal - Art Center, bus #103
4) Jeonju Station - Express Bus Terminal -> Art Center -12> Jeondong Catholic Church, bus #45
5) Jeonju Station - Art Center -> Jeondong Catholic Church, bus #105
6) Jeonju Station - Art Center, bus #12
7) Jeonju Station - Jeondong Catholic Church, bus #105, 109, 142

※ Get off at the Jeollabuk-do Art Center, Jeondong Catholic Church, or Byeongmucheong Intersection.

* Taxi
1) From Jeonju Station to the Rivera Hotel rear entrance to the Jeonju Traditional Wine Museum (15min)
2) From the Express Terminal to the Rivera Hotel rear entrance to the Jeonju Traditional Wine Museum (10min)



 

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 Short-term Leases and Residences

The term residence refers to a residential hotel.
The idea behind the phrase is to incorporate the comforts provided by both hotels and officetels, going one step further in ensuring total customer satisfaction.
It is gaining popularity among foreign visitors staying in Korea for long periods because of its outstanding service and affordable room rates.
A residence can be used for living as well as business purposes since it has a kitchen and three or four independent spaces.
A fitness center, restaurants, rest areas, and Internet facilities are also usually available.
Security systems are in operation 24 hours a day for the safety of residents

Some residences are fully equipped with facilities for laundry or cooking or offer optional laundry or restaurant services. Various other services are also provided, including delivery of messages from visitors. At some residences, recreational activities are arranged so that their residents can build new friendships and enjoy entertainment.

Short-term lease is recommended for visitors planning to stay in Korea less than one year. In Korea, a lease is usually in the form of jeonse (a deposit only) or wolse (a deposit plus monthly rent). However, both jeonse and wolse arrangements are usually for one or two years, making a short-term lease more practical in many cases for visitors planning to stay in Korea for several months but less than a year. A deposit

totaling one or two months of rent is usually paid up front, and regular rent is paid each month. Various types of residences are available, including apartments, villas, and officetels. If you do not want to buy home appliances or furniture, a fully furnished officetel is ideal. Most officetels have basic amenities, such as a washing machine, refrigerator, and assorted furniture.