MODULE 3: ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND SHOPPING South Korea has a wide range of accommodation options for your guests’ stay. South Korea boasts of the conventional as well as the unconventional style of accommodation. The accommodation in South Korea can be widely divided into 3 main categories, namely - Homestays and Guest Houses, Hanokstays, Templestays, Benikea and Hotels. Let us take you through each of the categories so that you can plan the perfect holiday experience for your guests. Content Partner: HOMESTAYS AND GUESTHOUSES 2 These are the eccentric, affordable, secure and very extraordinary style of accommodation available in South Korea. Selected homestays and guesthouses in Korea provide international visitors with a special opportunity to experience South Korean culture and lifestyle by living with a South Korean family. These are popularly called Koreastays. Koreastay is a Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) brand that certifies city accommodations. Koreastay hosts are carefully selected after undergoing strict assessment of such criteria as residential environment, guestroom & cleanliness, mindset, service and convenience. Koreastay provides a great way of exploring and experiencing the South Korean culture and lifestyle and thus fascinates the Immersive Travellers. Koreastay hosts, found in major cities and tourist sites throughout South Korea, are prepared to welcome their foreign guests with open arms, provide comfortable accommodation and home-cooked meals and offer local travel information. To your guests who are in search of an unconventional stay option, you can offer Koreastay. They can experience the essence of a modern South Korean family and the beginning of a new friendship. Price range is US$ 10 – US$ 40. Search for Homestays Search for Guesthouses 3 BENIKEA BENIKEA is partly government owned budget hotel chain in South Korea, a portmanteau of the phrase "Best Night in South Korea." BENIKEA is operated by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in association with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. BENIKEA aims to offer guests premium vacation accommodations at a reasonable price, serving both local and foreign travelers. These are an excellent choice for Indian travelers that seek an economical option without sacrificing comfort. BENIKEA hotels are located all across the country - from major metropolitan cities to charming rural towns. Each hotel offers unique features - from a convenient location, exciting nearby downtown area or proximity to the airport to excellent ocean views, exciting hot springs, nearby ski resorts and more. Benikea official website Hanokstays Hanok is a traditional Korean house. Hanok Stay refers to staying in a traditional Korean house. Old furniture, paper-pasted windows, and props like soy jars add to the traditional ambiance. 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. 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. Click here for more information Templestays While in South Korea, your guests can opt for a stay in Templestays. It is a unique opportunity to experience Korean Buddhism, its daily lifestyle, rituals and spirituality. It generally entails staying at a Buddhist temple and engaging in daily monastic activities. A templestay provides sanctuary from the hussle of city life, as well as time and space for meditation and healing. Generally, a templestay program includes a Buddhist service, seon meditation, the 108 prostrations, and communal work. Some programs also educate participants on monastic meal offerings and tea ceremonies. Another common program is lotus lantern making, a form of Buddhist art; the lotus is the symbol of a light shining brightly in the dark world. Lanterns are hung on Buddha’s Birthday, April 8 of the lunar calendar at all the temples and throughout cities across Korea. During the month of Buddha's birthday, a variety of events such as the Lotus Lantern Festival are held throughout the nation, attracting many tourists from near and far. Click here for more information HOTELS 6 These are standard commercial properties of different star category run by independent, South Korean brands and global brands all across the country. The major global hotel brands have their hotels in all the major tourist destinations of South Korea. Hotels in South Korea are classified according to the number of stars they qualify for from five-star to one-star, with five- star being the highest rating. Generally, the prices of the accommodation vary according to locations as well as seasons. In particular, major hotels in the five-star category offer complimentary breakfast and wireless internet in addition to access to a fitness center, sauna, business center, restaurants and cafes. For more information please download the list of Hotels from the resource center DELICACIES 7 While on a vacation, every Indian Traveller wishes for a comprehensive experience involving sightseeing, stay, relaxation and most importantly food. South Korea is a gastronomical delight for Indian Travellers as the country’s delicacies are full of flavours and spices to tickle the taste buds of your guests. The recommended dishes that your guests can savour while on a vacation in South Korea are – Bibimbap, literally meaning mixed rice, is a combination Kimchi, a staple South Korean cuisine, is a traditional side of rice, meat and vegetables infused with spices and dish made from salted, fermented vegetables, most herbs giving it rich colours and aroma. For your commonly napa cabbage and South Korean radishes with a vegetarian guests, the dish can be customized to replace variety of seasonings including chilly meat with exotic vegetables. powder, scallions, garlic, ginger and salted seafood. There are hundreds of varieties of kimchi made with different vegetables as the main ingredients. Samgyetang or Ginseng Chicken Soup is a warm rich Bingsu, a South Korean dessert prepared with Red Bean flavoured soup where Ginseng herb is used paste as the base, adding crushed ice, ice cream and predominantly. different kinds of fruits as the topping. It is a very delicious dessert which should be recommended to your guests while in South Korea. Chimaek, is a combination of South Korean fried chicken Soju, a variety of South Korean wine prepared from rice. It and beer. It is a very popular dish among South Koreans is widely available and the favourite drink of the locals. as well as visitors from around the world. A classic Indian travellers should give it a shot while on a vacation combination to satiate the taste buds of your guests. in South Korea. South Korean cuisines are gaining popularity all over the world for its distinct aroma and nutrition benefits. Rice is the staple food and the cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of meat and fish dishes along with herbs and vegetables. Apart from the dishes mentioned above, there is an abundance of options for your guests to taste South Korean delicacies. Click here for more information INDIAN RESTAURANTS 8 South Korea has a lot of options for Indian Food as it is a growing trend. Indian food is popular with local South Korean people and your guests will find Indian restaurants in abundance. Currently, there are more than 100 Indian restaurants in South Korea. Some of the Indian Restaurants are: Ganga – Gangnam, Seoul: As the name suggests, Ganga Moghul Restaurant, Itaewon, Seoul: It is Korea’s first is an authentic Indian restaurant. The dishes are Pakistani restaurant with a range of délectable Mughlai prepared by a chef from India with over 20 years of cuisine. The outdoor seating in a lush garden adds to the experience in Indian cuisine. With a seating capacity of excellent dining experience. With a seating capacity of 100 125 people, this restaurant is ideal for FIT and small people, this restaurant is ideal for FIT and small groups. groups. Taj – Taste of India - Myongdong, Seoul: The Taj offers Bagdad Café, Jeju Island: Bagdad is an Indian restaurant unique dining experience. The restaurant presents located near Jeju City Hall. Its chef, who is from India, constantly evolving menus and a carefully matched wine offers high-quality traditional Indian dishes that draw list all designed to reflect an ethos of innovation and tourists and locals from all across the world. For a relativity Aromatic spices are the essence of the TAJ's winning taste combination, try one of the curries with a cuisine, making it different from others in the same. side of nan. Punjab, Busan: Located near haeundae beach, this Raj Mahal, Jeju Island: Rajmahal is an Indian restaurant restaurant offers delicious Indian food. The cozy and located in Jeju Island. Popular dishes on the menu include warm ambience and friendly staff make the dining curry, nan, and tandoori chicken. The elegant and experience an wonderful affair. comfortable exotic feel of the restaurant is another draw for diners coming to get their share of delicious Indian cuisine. With a seating capacity of 65 people, the restaurant is ideal for FIT and small family groups. For the detailed list of Indian Restaurants, please refer to the Resource Section 93 SHOPPING South Korea is one of the most dynamic and vibrant countries in the world. In the short time following its dramatic and impressive development, it has managed to maintain the delicate balance between preserving its impressive history and traditional heritage and embracing all the conveniences and technology of the modern world.