Hilltop Forest Residence

If you’re waiting for permanent housing, I’d highly recommend staying here. It’s just outside Osan air base and feels about on par with a 4-5 star hotel in America. Coming from the base, the friendly staff can help you work out what you and the on-base housing office need to get settled.

This was a horrible experience, and I wouldn’t recommend the hotel. They gave us several pieces of false information that mattered to us, even though we confirmed them more than once. We were told Camp Humphrey was only 800 m away, but the trip took 35 to 40 minutes. They should have given accurate information about the distance between Camp Humphery and Air base in Osan, but they didn’t. The amenities listed online were different too. The hotel website (Expedia information) said pool access was included in the rate we paid, so I asked whether the pool was available, but it wasn’t working at all. The paint smell in our room was one of the worst problems. It caused chest pain and severe headaches, and even after changing rooms twice, we still had the chemical smell. Construction noise around the hotel kept us from resting as well. With the windows closed to block the noise, we couldn’t sleep because of the strong smell. Breakfast wasn’t too bad, but the dining area was an alcohol bar, so it wouldn’t be good for people with little children. We wanted to cancel all our reservations, but the hotel only denied cancellation for one day. Be careful with the hotel’s advertising and reviews, which are exaggerated.

The staff were friendly and efficient, and the location works well for the train station and air base. The rooms are nice, if a bit sparse, and there are plenty of amenities nearby. Train noise did start to get distracting after a while.

The rooms were clean and comfortable, just as we’d booked, and I’d stay again. They’re a short walk from Osan, with lots of shops and restaurants along the way. One confusing part: Hilltop Forest residence and New Sontang hotel are separate buildings that share rooms. I booked through Hiltop Forrest, but its check-in desk was empty and had a sign directing me across the street to New Sontang, where the rooms were.