Staying in a Hanok: What to Expect

By Dragon Kim · Updated October 10, 2026 · 7 min read

What is a hanok stay, and how is it different from a hotel?

A hanok stay is a night in a traditional Korean house, usually single-storey and wooden, with a yard or courtyard rather than a lobby. VisitKorea describes hanok as ranging from traditional styles and contemporary reinterpretations to large countryside houses and small city houses.

• Experiences: Some hanok stays add activities such as a tea ceremony or cooking class, according to VisitKorea. At Rakkojae, the page lists tea ceremonies, Korean dining, etiquette and cultural programs.
• Amenities: VisitKorea's accommodation overview says many hanok now include beds and modern amenities, while the traditional layout still features a wooden-floor hall called a daecheongmaru.
• Care of the building: Hanok are made of wood, so VisitKorea asks guests to use fire with particular care. Some are designated cultural assets, so avoid causing damage.

Practical example: a couple who want a quiet cultural night in Seoul can pick a hanok room with a bed for comfort. A family who want the full floor-sleeping experience can choose one that lists floor bedding. Either way, ask which one the room offers before paying.

What is ondol, and will I sleep on the floor?

Ondol is traditional Korean underfloor heating, and in many hanok you sleep on bedding laid on the floor, though some rooms offer beds. The Korean Cultural Centre explains that the word means "warm stones".

• How it works: Heat from the kitchen fireplace travelled through channels under the stone floor of a room, with the passages connecting to a chimney. In modern homes, pipes carrying water heated by gas or electricity have replaced those channels.
• Summer cooling: The maru is a raised, board-floored room at the centre of the house. Because it is raised, air can circulate underneath and help keep the house cool in summer.
• Bedding: VisitKorea says many hanok use mats and blankets on the floor rather than beds. Rakkojae is described by Visit Seoul as a place where guests can sleep on the floor in the traditional way.

Practical example: a light sleeper or a traveller with a bad back who is unsure about a thin floor mattress can email the property before booking and ask whether a bed room is available. Cheong Yeon Jae, a 1936 hanok hotel in Visit Seoul's article, was described as having traditional paper decor and ondol heating when needed.

Where can I stay in a hanok?

Seoul's Bukchon, Jeonju Hanok Village and Gyeongju's Hwangnidan Street are the places VisitKorea highlights for hanok accommodation. The table summarises what the official pages say; none of the pages listed room prices.

The Seoul Hanok Portal is listed by VisitKorea as a place to find hanok accommodations in Seoul. VisitKorea also lists the 1330 Korea Travel Helpline at +82-2-1330, with support in English and several other languages. For the area around Bukchon, see our first-timer neighbourhood guide.

What are the house rules in a hanok?

Shoes off at the door, treat the wood and any open flame carefully, and keep noise down in residential neighbourhoods.

• Shoes: Visit Seoul says to take your shoes off at the door when entering any residence, temple or guesthouse.
• Fire and damage: VisitKorea notes hanok are wooden, so use fire with particular care, and that some are cultural assets that should not be damaged.
• Neighbours: Bukchon is described by VisitKorea as an actual neighbourhood with people's homes, and visitors should be respectful at all times. Speak quietly in the lanes, especially with luggage late at night or early in the morning.
• Manners at the table: Visit Seoul advises giving and receiving objects with both hands and not leaving chopsticks or a spoon standing upright in a rice bowl, useful if your stay includes a Korean breakfast.

How do I choose and book a hanok?

Decide on bedding and bathroom first, then confirm the property is open and what is included. VisitKorea's accommodation overview also warns that traditional hanok can be less comfortable without the modern additions some now offer.

1. Pick an area. Choose Bukchon for central Seoul, Jeonju for a whole village of hanok, or Gyeongju for historic sites.
2. Ask about bedding. Confirm whether the room has a bed or floor bedding, and how many guests it sleeps.
3. Check the facilities. Ask about the bathroom, heating or cooling for your season, and breakfast. Do not assume a hotel-style lobby or lift.
4. Confirm it is open. Check the property's own website or a current booking page, since printed lists can be out of date.
5. Tell the host your arrival time. Small properties may not staff a front desk around the clock, so agree a check-in time in advance.

Budget note: official pages did not give room rates, so compare current prices on the booking page you use. A VisitKorea page lists a promotion for Rakkojae through December 31, 2026, so check its terms. If you also want daytime hanok sights, pair a stay with hanbok rental or a hanok cafe afternoon.

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