9 Best Hotels in Side Trips from Seoul, South Korea

Overlooking the sea off Ganghwa Island's southern coast, Daliswim is a beautiful hanok bed-and-breakfast that harmonizes contemporary convenience with traditional Korean style. Bedding is on the floor, Korean style, but all rooms have kitchens, interior bathrooms, and showers, plus TV and Wi-Fi. There's a beautiful Korean teahouse on site, and guests can use the indoor barbecue space as well. Guests can try their hand at traditional Korean games or pass the evening watching the sea from the outdoor gazebo.

This modern airport hotel makes for a pleasant stay if you have an early flight from Incheon International, and has an array of amenities to boot. It's decidedly more business-oriented than tourist-oriented, but it's not a bad option.

While there's only one hotel on Nami Island, it's a good one: each of Hotel Jeonggwanru's one-of-a-kind rooms feature work by award winning book illustrators and other top artists from Korea and around the world. Rooms are simple with plenty of wood accents, in keeping with the forest location. Western-style beds and Korean-style floor bedding are both available. To allow guests to better focus on the forest, the rooms have no TVs. The hotel also operates several Western and Korean-style bungalows on the riverside, too. There's a coffee shop and a restaurant for guests, but the real reason you'd want to stay here is the opportunity to experience Nami Island at night, when the crowds are gone and the tranquility of the forest is yours to enjoy. 

Located in the Asia Publication Culture & Information Center of Paju Book City, Jijihyang embraces its venue by providing guests with as comfortable and distraction-free a reading environment as possible: rooms are simple, with wood floor and plenty of wood paneling, but critically there are no TVs (though every room has Wi-Fi). The views over Paju Book City and the nearby sea are inspiring, however. As for dining, you won't find much, and the breakfast option at the cafe on the first floor aren't anything to write home about. But if you're looking for a place to spend a weekend in contemplation, there are few better places to do so.

Located just a few meters from Hwaseong Fortress's spectacular Hwahongmun Gate, the Maeholjae is a charming hanok guesthouse with views of the fortress and Suwon's Gwanggyosan mountain. The views from the second floor are particularly inspiring. The rooms don't have TVs, and this is a quiet part of town, so you're guaranteed to get a good night's rest. Bedding is Korean-style, i.e., on the floor, but each room does have a bathroom. The guesthouse has an excellent cafe, and guests can also try their hand at traditional Korean games.

Operated by writer and photographer Lee An-soo, this relaxing getaway in Hyeri Art Valley doubles as an artists' studio. Between the library and the individual rooms, there are about 14,000 books under its roof, so if you need something to read, you'll find it. Rooms are beautifully minimalist with a bed, desk, and inspiring views of the surrounding natural landscape, perfect for reading or working on your next novel. The guesthouse also prioritizes conversation and exchange, so be prepared to chat with fellow guests and/or resident artists.

Just a 10-minute drive from Incheon International Airport, this stylish hotel is ideal for those who want to be close to the airport without sacrificing quality or amenities. On site are the Platz restaurant, a library, a fitness room and sauna, the Kunst Lounge, and an infinity pool. It costs an extra fee to use, which is common throughout the country. 

The first integrated resort complex in Northeast Asia, Paradise Hotel & Resort includes one luxury hotel, one boutique hotel, plenty of fine dining and shopping, a theme park, spa, art gallery, heated indoor and outdoor pools, and last but certainly not least, Korea's largest casino. A truly astounding amount of work by renowned artists has been integrated into the complex, including pieces by Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, and Yayoi Kusama. You don't have to go very far to experience it all, either—the resort is located right next to Incheon International Airport. Even if you're not staying here, it's worth a visit just to use the facilities and snap photos of the art and architecture.

Seoul is only 40 minutes away from this trusted brand hotel, which features rooms with views of Songdo Central Park, plus a spa, two restaurants, and an indoor pool.