Cheap accommodation in South Korea

It would be fair to say that I consider Korea among the most interesting countries I have been too...NOT!!! probably trailing Singapore because its a less comfortable place to stay, and very cold in winter. I imagine it to be like Japan was 30 years earlier. So having spent alot of time in Japan I cant appreciate its own identity. They are pretty aggressive people too though the better educated classy people are nice enough, and among the few to speak English. But maybe this is all just a communication problem.
The good news is that accomodation and transport is cheap so you can flick through the country on your way elsewhere just to say you have been there. On the positive side there was some interesting cultural aspects. I watched a funny cartoon skit on TV about a tragic romance. It struck me as much better than Japanese humour. I also ate at some nice restaurants and a tea house in Seoul. Seoul was surprisingly cultured in ways, though it makes you wonder whether it was the Korean American influence, so I showed no respite when I was interviewed by local TV channel on the virtues of travelling to Korea. I was really giving shit. Aside from bibinba and fast internet, there were not many redeeming features. It was the most organised place I have been to. All the buildings are numbered, so if you are good with numbers, you will never get lost. I think after they have build 1ooo condominiums they start to build a new city.

Seoul
1. Anguk Hanok Guest House – see http://anguk-house.com.
2. Seoul Guest House – see www.seoul110.com, or email: seoul110@yahoo.com.
3. Dongyang Motel – see www.dymotel.com or email: zorou@hotmail.com. Address: 6-1203, Choryang-dong, Seoul.
4. Jongno-won Guest House: See www.jongnowon.com. Address: #29 Ikson-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, Korea. Tel: 82-2-763 4249. I stayed here. It cost me W28,000 per night, or Y35,000 for two.
5. Songwontel Guest House: A single was W25,000 or W30,000 for a double. Its near Jongno-won guest house, should it be full. Address: #103-62, Doneui-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, Korea. Tel: 82-2-742 4469. See www.songwontel.com.

West Coast Korea

The highlight of the west coast was this beach resort. Korea actually has decent beaches compared to Japan. They had some wave action going and its white sand. Be careful not to trip over the barbed wire. When I was digging my sand castles I was hoping to find some ancient Korean treasury from the days when Japan wa plundering everything. But didnt find anything....not even a land mine.

Saraksan National Park was a disappointment. It was crowded and few highlights. Had a nice walk, a few nice autumn trees, but it wasnt worth the wait trying to get into the place. The queue of holiday makers was kilometres long. I think it must be the only half-decent place to go in Korea.

1. SP Sun Motel: See www.spsunmotel.fo.st. I stayed at this nice hotel in the Naksan Beach Resort town on he NW coast, close to the beach. Its not a great tourist stop, but it was cheap, at just W20,000. Nice beach except for the barbed wire to stop the North Koreans. Tel: 82-33-671 5665. They don’t speak English.

Pusan

1. Dong-gu, Pusan, Korea. This hotel is down an alley-way, past food stalls, on the southern (?) side of Pusan train station. Close to the International ferry terminal too. The cost was Y35,000 per night. I found it by going to tourist info at the train station.

Cheap accommodation in Japan

I used to consider myself a 'Japan expert' but I might be getting a little rough here. I did most of my travel there a few years ago, and these days most of my travel is short trips, but I still have alot to offer for the larger cities.
The type of accommodation to get in Japan will depend on how long you intend to stay. If you are staying more than 2 weeks think about getting a 'gaijin house' - these are short term rentals based on monthly payments. There are several big companies offering this type of accommodation. Actually the flexibility and general high standard of this accommodation makes it well-suited for longer term stays. But bear in mind, you are sharing with alot of people, some noisy, untidy in bathroom, shower and kitchen, so think about that before you commit long term. There are issues with group responsibilities. Think about the location you choose. Pay a little more to be on a good train line or close to a station. Also try to get neat some open spaces. I rented a place for 2 months at Sumiyoshi, which was close to the Arakawa River, which allowed me to go for long uninterrupted rides up the river in relatively open spaces. Kanagawa has areas like that too SW of Tokyo city.
For shorter stay accommodation there are lodges or 'backpacker' style places, but actually if you dont have too much gear, you might consider capsule hotels. If you are a guy and dont mind being naked in public, you will love the hot baths. I was surprised but I never heard any racial taunts in these places. Most Japanese are polite, but usually their are some idiots around. What makes these places special is the hot baths and the fact they are located in the centre of the larger cities, and close to entertainment centres, and they are open 24 hours. I tend to have a bath before I go out, then after I have returned. Very refreshing.

Tokyo
The accommodation I liked in Tokyo was:
1. U-City Hotel, Narita City: Adjacent to Narita JL Line Station is the best value in Narita. Kihoko can get me a discount through work. It cost me Yen7,370/night, including breakfast & tax. No service charge paid.
2. Narita Station Hotel: Much cheaper at Y5,400/night and much closer to the station. I stayed here the last time. Free shuttle service from the Airport too, which I abused.
3. New Kayo Economy Hotel: Cheapest in Tokyo at Y2,700/night. Has internet access, TV, though small rooms. Located on the same subway line as Roppongi, close to Minowa Station, and therefore Ueno. Need to book at least 2 days in advance. Tel: 81-3-3873 0343?? [might be wrong number]
4. Space Inn Capsule Hotel, Shinjuku: This place is well located near a ATM (for Mastercard), Shinjuku Station, and is write among the action for entertainment. I did not really enjoy the area. Rate was Y3,800/night. Near Prince Hotel.
5. Geijin House, near Ueno: There are 2 Geijin Houses advertised at www.geijinhouse.com which Katsue found on the internet. This one is well located. I think it costs Y65,000 per month + deposit.

Nagoya
Nagoya is a smaller city, but it still has a few capsule hotels.
1. Space Inn: A capsule hotel near Nagoya Station, but also within walking distance of the entertainment area. McDonalds is right across the road. I have stayed at this place on 2 occasions now, the last time about 15mths ago. I thin it cost Y4200 per night.
2. Park Hotel: This is an economy business hotel, but was booked out the night I needed. I think the capsule hotel is better. This is probably Y6500 per night.

Osaka
1. Hokke Club Hotel: This is the only place I stayed at in Osaka. It was a bit expensive. Public laundry & baths. Cost Y5,250 if you book through Tourist Information at Osaka Station, otherwise higher price.
2. Capsule Hotel: I tried this place, but there was a 4:00pm opening and they did not speak English.
3. Yukikaze Youth Hostel: Just 10 minutes from Kansai International Airport. Just Y3,500/night. Address: Osaka-fu, Sennan-shi, Kitano 2-3-34, tel: 81-724-845 254, fax: 81-724-823 688. I did not stay. Closed at the time for renovation.

Kyoto
Kyoto is a very attractive city because it is surrounded by forest, and it has alot of old traditional buildings, temples, etc.
1. Maruko Inn: This place was very good value. A good room for Y4,200, and reasonably close to the entertainment district. Tel: 81-75-361 0505, fax: 81-75-361 7340.

Hiroshima
1. Capsule Hotel, located in the Ebisu Area. From Hiroshima Station, get the tram to Ebisu-cho. Walk south about 3-4 blocks and there is a Capsule Hotel. This is in the vicinity of several bars. Eg. Macs Bar, Twister Café being the better ones I visited. They offer a discount if you stay a 2nd night.

Fukuoka
1. ETS Inn: This place was very good value, and was a new hotel. Located near Fukuoka Station, but need to go through Tourist Information for discount. Tel: 81-92-642 4563. It is located near the railway, behind the bus shelters.
2. Green Land Capsule Hotel: This place is well-located in the Tenjin district, so easy access to entertainment district.

I have more places to add here, but I'll need to source them from other notes. Most of the others are country locations.

Cheap accommodation in Thailand

I have not been to Thailand for a number of years so I can't vouch for the pricing policy of these places. I went there as a conference delegate and to research for a report, so I they were my classy days as a big spender. Yep, back in those days I was spending $US70/night - not my money mind you. Hard to change bad habits. Since these are likely to be the older hotels, they might still be cheap, though more likely rennovated.

1. President Inn, 155/14 Sukhumvit Soi 11, behind Siam Commercial Bank, Bangkok 10110. Tel: 66-2-255 4230-4, fax: 66-2-255 4235. Rooms were Baht 500-1000/night. Quiet rooms with bath/shower, hot water, air con, fridge, satellite TV, tel, business center, fax, copying machine. Near the Ambassador Hotel. Small apartment-style hotel.
2. Ambassador Hotel, 171 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110. Tel: 66-2-254 0444, fax: 253 4123. Cost $US70/night when booked from Philippines.
3. Asoke Place, 4/49 Soi Cowboy Sukhumvit 21 Road, Bangkok 10110. Fully-furnished rooms with air-conditioning, bath+shower. Cost Baht650/night. Reservations on tel: 66-2-258 3742, 3733, fax: 66-2-258 4338. Close to Old Windsor Hotel.
4. Mido Hotel, 222 Pradipat Road, Sapankwai, Bangkok. Tel: 66-2-279 4560, fax: 66-2-278 3412. Cost of Baht 1050/night. Good rooms, though I would think something cheaper this far from the city centre.

Cheap backpackers in Vietnam

I have not been to Vietnam in a few years now so prices are likely to have risen, and there are likely to be more places. Anyway here is a selection. If you are unsure it might be best to spend the first night of your stay at a nice hotel, and look around for a cheapeer place after you have settled. That way you dont have to search with all your luggage.

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
There are several hotels in the Saigon area which are good value. The backpacker district is located in District #1 of Saigon. This is the old part of the city. The reason for staying at backpackers I think are:
1. Hotels dont offer you any 'real' experience of how life is in Vietnam
2. You are more likely to meet backpackers and Englih-speaking Vietnamese in the backpacker district
3. Its much cheaper, whereas international hotels are more pricey despite the low cost of building in Vietnam. The reason is the extra fees, plus your fears of being mugged

Some of the budget/backpacker style accommodation I looked at was:
1. Thanh Thanh Hotel, HCMC: Paid $US6/night for fan room with double bed, toilet, table & chair. Can pay $US9/night for air-conditioning (not required). Address: 205 Pham Ngu Lao St, District 1, HCMC, tel: 84-8-886 1751, fax: 84-8-836 7027. I stayed here. No tel in room.
2. Hotel Hoang Huy, HCMC: Located at 18 Bui Vien St, HCMC. Tel: 836 7956. Rooms start at $US5/night. I think alright but the room shown did not have good security.

Hanoi City

Hanoi City is a much nicer city I think than Saigon. Which is why I spent alot of time there. I think its cleaner, cooler, better maintained (as the national capital), and it has attractive old French districts, and well-maintained lakes in the city. The backpacker district is centered around the northern end of Lake Kiem. There are several blocks of backpacker lodges stretching north from there.

1. Nam Phuong Hotel: Located at 64 Cau Go St, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, tel: 825 5988. This place is very close to Lake Kiem. The owners are very friendly & do not take advantage of you. You get more than you pay for. I paid $US8/night for fan+TV+hot water+double bed.
2. My Kinh Hotel: Located at 72-74 Hang Buom St, Hanoi. Tel: 825 5726, fax: 828 0514. Offered $US8/night including TV+hot water+2 beds+closet+table. Large room, but old place, so need adaptor for new plugs. Good value & many rooms.
3.The Old Darling Café: Address 142 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Tel: 84-4-824 3024, fax: 926 0102.. There is another office at 10 Dao Duy Tu Alley, Hanoi. Tel: 828 1711. Dormitories are good for 6 & only $US3/night. If want security & personal toilet can get room for $US7-8/night. This place probably had the best atmosphere at dinner of all the cafés, and is a good place to meet people. They also organise tours, which apparently gave no problem, though I suspect particular tourists are targeted.
4. Darling Café: Address at 33 Hang Quat St, Hanoi. Tel: 826 9386, fax: 825 6562. Rooms were $US8/night.
5. Especen Hotel No. 8: This is where I stayed on my 1st night. I was in a small room, sharing toilet way downstairs, noisy, though just $US5/night. Address: 30 Luong Van Can St, Hanoi. Tel: 824 5924.
6. The Red River Tours: Address at 73 Hang Bo St, Hanoi. Tel: 826 8427, fax: 828 7159, email: redrivertours@netnam.org.vn. This is one of the 3 travel groups (Sinh Café & Queen Café being the others). It was rooms, a large restaurant & email services. Did not see the rooms.
7. Queen Café: Address at 65 Hang Bac St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Tel: 826 0860, fax: 825 0000, email: queenaz@yahoo.com or queenaz@usa.net or queenaz@fpt.vn. Have rooms & email.
8. Mai Phuong Hotel: I stayed here the following nights. They are associated with Queen Café. Address at 32 Hang Be St, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Tel: 826 5341, fax: use Queen Café fax & email. The food here is very cheap & reasonable, the room I got for $US7/night including large bed & room, large toilet/showever, table & chair +fan (was cold so did not need). There was a strange bouncing ball noise I could not identify.
9. N.A.M. Long Hotel: Address at 10b Dinh Liet St, Hanoi. Tel: 826 6054, fax:??? No email. The rooms were cheap here at $US6/night for nice single room + fan. The toilet was downstairs though, so sharing. Maybe older style plug, but I think can take new (USA) or old (French) plug.
10. Ta Hien Hotel: Located at 22 Ta Hien St, Hanoi. Tel: 825 5888. They were offering a single (big) room with fan & toilet for $US8/night. This is an old style hotel. Old power point maybe??? Security might be an issue as there was a side door, though this may allow you to take girls in.
11. Youth Hotel: This place is very pleasant & up-market. Can get air-conditioned room (dont need) & TV for $US25/night, or standard room with air-con, toilet &shower for $US15/night. Common facilities include a restaurant, bar and pool table. There are many cheaper hotels offering similar rooms, but common facilities are superior to most.
12. Love Planet: Address at 98 Ma May St, Hanoi. Tel: 828 4864, fax: 828 0913, email: loveplanet@hn.vnn.vn. Dormitories for $US3/night or offered room for $US6/night, but the room I looked at had a musty smell. Large room with toilet.
13. Dong Xuan Hotel: Address at 26 Cao Thang St, Hanoi. Tel: 828 4474. This place has rooms from$US6/night I understand, but is too far from lake. Did not go there.
14. Binh Minh Hotel: 50 Hang Be St, Hanoi. Tel: 826 7356, fax: 84-4-824 7183. This has the cheapest room I saw for just $US4/night (Room 207), however dark, no ventilation or windows. Good for storage if travelling with valuables. Try get $US2-3/night if need security.
15. Vinh Quang Hotel: A girl told my she paid $US8/night for TV+tel+hot water+double beds. I found it to be $US15/night. Address: 24 Hang Quat St, Hanoi. Near Old Darling Café. Good if can negotiate the price down.

Nha Trang City
Nha Trang City is famous for its nice beaches, though I am sure they dont compare with Australia and USA. I did not go to these places so you might want to research more. Nha Trang is located in central Vietnam, so its midway between Hanoi and Saigon, but a long way.

1. O-Sin Hotel & Restaurant, Nha Trang City: I was recommended to go to this hotel for $US3/night. This place is apparently where all the foreigners go. Danang is a hole I understand. Has nice beach & bars. Can meet pros on the beach.

Halong Bay City
Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam. It is the gateway to the limestone tors that rise out of the Red River Estuary like the scales of a crocodile skin sit out of the water. This is a great place to go sea kayaking, though you would need to be weary about privacy in these unsecure estuaries.

1. Manh Cuong Hotel, Bai Chay precinct, Halong City: Address: 79 Sector 2A Vuon Dao St, Bai Chay, Halong City. This place is on the hill. It has clean, modern rooms, 2 beds, balcony with no chairs or view, 5 floors, hot water for $US15/night, though it was a lot cheaper though Queen Café tour.
3. Opposite Manh Cuong Hotel, Bai Chay precinct, Halong City: I lost the business card for this place, though very cheap. Offered me $US5/night because I think they liked me. Anyway that was 6 years ago. She could have a PhD now?? I think the mother wanted me for her daughter who was a stunner & spoke English. It comprised 2 bed room + toilet & hot/cold water shower.