Guest Secrets

Use Exit 9 of Seomyeon Station when arriving. The station is huge, with dozens of exits and underground passages, and choosing the wrong exit can add a long walk. Exit 9 leads almost directly to the hotel street.

Buy a transport card at a convenience store on arrival. It works for subway, buses and taxis across Busan and in Seoul, saving time at ticket machines.

Visit Haedong Yonggungsa, the temple built on rocks by the sea, early in the morning. It becomes extremely crowded by midday, and sunrise views over the sea are spectacular. The bus from Haeundae takes about thirty minutes.

About food: try dwaeji gukbap in the Seomyeon gukbap alley for breakfast or late night dinner. Add salted shrimp and chives to taste, and enjoy it with kimchi and rice. It is the soul food of Busan.

Go to Gwangalli Beach on Saturday evening for the drone light show, held regularly over the bay. Arrive early to find a good spot on the sand, and take Line 2 back to Seomyeon.

Climb to the rooftop café at sunset. The view over the city lights of Seomyeon is a pleasant way to end a day of exploration.

Leave the car parked at the hotel. Busan traffic is heavy, parking near attractions expensive, and the subway reaches almost everywhere faster.

Plan a day trip to Gyeongju. The ancient tombs, Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto are UNESCO sites, and the town is easily reached from Busan.

Use a translation app at reception for detailed requests. Staff are eager to help, and written questions in Korean translation make communication easier and faster.