Booking and checking in

Check-in is often around 3 p.m. and check-out around 11 a.m., though it varies by property. Check the times on your booking confirmation. If you arrive early, ask whether you can leave your luggage at the front desk until your room is ready.

Foreign guests are often asked to show their passport at check-in. Make sure the name on your booking matches your passport. Some places also ask for a credit card for a deposit or payment, so keep one handy when you arrive.

Many guesthouses and serviced residences use self check-in, where you open the door with a code and no staff are present. Before arriving, check the instructions the property sends you for the address, door code and room number. If you have not received them, contact the host through the booking platform or messaging app.

Some domestic booking sites require verification with a Korean phone number to sign up or pay. In that case, use a booking site that supports overseas numbers or contact the accommodation directly. Using a SIM with a Korean number can also make verification easier.

In hanok stays, ondol rooms and many guesthouses, you take off your shoes indoors. If you see a shoe rack or slippers at the entrance, remove your shoes there. In hotel rooms you can keep shoes on, but slippers are often provided for comfort.

Due to environmental regulations, larger accommodations increasingly do not provide free disposable items such as toothbrushes and razors. You may need to buy them at the front desk or a convenience store. Bringing your own toiletries is the easiest option.

Korea separates general waste, recyclables and food waste. Guesthouses and serviced residences usually post instructions, so please follow them. Be careful not to mix food scraps with general waste, as separate disposal is required in most places. Ask staff where the bins are if you are unsure.

Some hotels place a deposit hold on your credit card at check-in and release it after check-out. Guesthouses and residences may ask for a cash deposit instead. Confirm the deposit amount and when it will be returned before you arrive, so there are no surprises.

If you expect to arrive late at night, let the accommodation know your estimated arrival time in advance. Places without a 24-hour front desk may not be able to let you in late. Getting self check-in details beforehand gives you peace of mind.

Many hotels and guesthouses will hold your luggage for free for a few hours after check-out. Small properties with limited space may not, so ask in advance. If they cannot, use station lockers or a luggage storage service instead. Ask for a claim tag for stored bags.

Many guesthouses, residences and apartment-style accommodations have quiet hours late at night. Korean residential buildings are sensitive to noise between floors, so avoid making loud sounds at night. Breaking the rules could even lead to being asked to leave. Keep conversations low in shared spaces too.

Korean accommodations often control floor heating and hot water with a panel on the wall. If the panel is only in Korean, use a translation app or ask the staff. In some places, hot water takes a little while to come through, so let the tap run before assuming it is broken.

Refunds depend on the rate conditions you chose when booking. Non-refundable rates are cheaper, but you may not get any money back if you cancel. If your plans are uncertain, choose a rate with free cancellation, and note the deadline for cancelling.

Most accommodations offer free Wi-Fi, and outlets are 220V with two round pins. Devices with other plug types need an adapter, and you should check that they support the voltage. Some front desks lend adapters, so it is worth asking.

Many guesthouses and residences have shared or in-room washing machines. Hotels usually offer paid laundry service or can point you to a nearby self-service laundromat. Korean cities also have many 24-hour unstaffed laundromats with washers and dryers. Detergent is usually sold on site.

Korea does not generally charge a separate tourist accommodation tax at present. Some upscale hotels do list a service charge or tax separately. Check the final payment amount on the booking screen so you know the total in advance. Tax display varies by booking site.

If you lose a key or key card, tell the front desk or host right away. There may be a replacement fee. For self check-in places, save the door code in your phone's notes so you do not get locked out.

If the room differs from the photos or something is broken, tell the property right away and take photos. If it is not resolved, contact the booking platform's customer service. You can also seek advice on tourist complaints through the 1330 hotline.

Many Korean accommodations are non-smoking, and violations may result in cleaning fees or penalties. If you smoke, use the designated smoking area. E-cigarettes are often banned in rooms as well, so check the rules before lighting up. Balconies may also be non-smoking.

Double-check for easily forgotten items such as chargers, your passport and anything in the safe. Settle any minibar or extra service charges and confirm your deposit will be returned. Return keys or key cards to the front desk or the designated spot.