Palgongsan Youth Hostel

Getting into the city was a bit difficult, though bus 401 goes downtown and this is its last stop. The buses tend to run quickly. Set among the mountains, the place is peaceful, and both the rooms and seminar halls were reasonably clean. My room did have a slightly stale smell, but the pillows were good, apparently the healthy kind.

The youth hotel rates seem like good value. I enjoy the quiet, pleasant natural setting, and there's plenty to do whether you're here for one night or a longer stay to work on yourself. A nearby trail goes toward Palgongsa Temple and Gatbawi Rock, so there's good climbing. It also feels like a nice way to get away from the city's polluted air.

The view is superb, and there are nice walking trails nearby, including routes up Palgongsan Mountain. The room was warm, and I liked the bath too. It's convenient to reserve a meal at the hotel, and there are plenty of restaurants outside as well.

For a group stay, it was clean and affordable, and the older facilities seemed well maintained. They had toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, shampoo, and conditioner, though I didn't use them. There's no hairdryer. Breakfast costs 8,000 won per person, which feels expensive for the limited variety, and there really isn't much to eat. The hostel is far from the city center, with only a small convenience store inside, and ordering most late-night snacks is difficult. At least the air is good...