Autumn 2024. Ten years after my first trip to Seoul in 2014, I am returning to the Republic of Korea, better known as South Korea. Not solo this time, but with Oriol, who has never been to Korea. On the itinerary: flying with Qatar Airways to Incheon via Doha, the capital Seoul, the historic city of Gyeongju, Busan, Jeju Island and a second stint in Seoul, where we are joined by Sehyeon. We’re spending two weeks in South Korea. The ROK is such a popular destination now. Will we experience overtourism?  

Commodore Hotel Busan is a massive structure in some Chinese revival architecture. From afar, it looks like an outdated casino hotel from Macau (Macao).

Check-in was swift. Amenities such as a dental kit wasn’t included, to reduce waste. But the prices were very low. So if needed, you could get some bathroom necessities. 

The room

The room is small and a bit dark. Almost wintery or fit for a mountain resort. But anyway. Two beds, a small TV, tea and coffee making facilities, a few power outlets. 

A console manages the lighting and it’s quite complicated. There’s no desk, bu a table. There are bathrobes and slippers. There are two unbranded water bottles presented in the room. These complimentary bottles were restocked, which is nice. 

An odd feature, of lack of feature is: the room doesn’t closes itself as in most hotels. If you don’t do anything, the door stays open.

The bathroom

The bathroom is okay and features a bath tub. Toiletries are branded Pure Herbs and are in dispensers. 

Again, the towels were small.

WiFi

WiFi is generous, but which one to choose? 

Gym and pool

Commodore Hotel Busan has a gym and a pool for its guests, but the operating hours are ridiculous. 10 AM to 8 PM and closed on Monday. What’s the point for hotel guests? 

When we went to see the pool, there were children getting swimming lessons. It looks like the hotel is banking on wealthy locals using the facilities rather than hotel guests. 

Palais Royal sauna

There is a sauna, wellness or jjimjilbang under the name Palais Royal. Hotel guests pay a reduced price. The operating hours are 6 AM to 8 PM. 6 AM is nice, but 8 PM is early, too early.

Palais Royal is a spacious, pleasant jjimjiilbang with a wet area featuring showers and baths, a gym, an eating area and a resting area downstairs. It seemed a bit closed downstairs, but I still had a look and a rest there. 

Palais Royal is for men only. Commodore Hotel does not offer sauna facilities for women.

Breakfast

We did not had breakfast at Commodore.

So?

Commodore was cheap when we booked so the value for money is alright. But better hours for the gym, pool and sauna are welcome. 

South Korea 2024

1. QUESTION | Should you be scared of travelling to South Korea?.
2. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – Brussels to Doha.
3. QATAR | Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha.
4. REVIEW | Qatar Airways – economy – Airbus A350 – Doha to Seoul / Incheon.
5. SOUTH KOREA | Landing at Incheon, retrieving the Wowpass and taking the AREX to Seoul Station.
6. REVIEW | Fraser Place Namdaemun Seoul near City Hall.
7. SEOUL | Deoksugung Palace by day.
8. SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum SEOUL | Admiral Yi Sun-sin – King Sejong the Great – Gyeongbokgung Palace – National Folk Museum.
9. SEOUL | Bukchon Hanok Village – Insadong Culture Street – Jogyesa Temple – Gwangjang Market – Cheonggyecheon Stream.
10. SEOUL 2024 | Dongdaemun Design Plaza.
11. SHOPPING IN SEOUL | Myeongdong – Lotte Young Plaza – Avenuel – Lotte Department Store.
12. SEOUL | Namsan Mountain Park and N Seoul Tower.
13. SOUTH KOREA | Seoul Station.
14. REVIEW | Korail KTX Seoul – Gyeongju – Busan.
15. GYEONGJU | Daereungwong – Cheonmachong – Cheomseongdae Observatory – Banwolseong Fortress – Anapji Pond – Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyo-dong.
16. REVIEW | Hotel Palace in Gyeongju.
17. GYEONGJU | Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto.
18. GYEONGJU | Woljeonggyo Bridge – Gyeongju National Museum – Eupseong Fortress – Shopping.
19. REVIEW | Korail KTX Gyeongju to Busan 1st class.
20. BUSAN | Gamcheon Culture Village.
21. BUSAN | Jagalchi Fish Market.