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Looking for an affordable, safe, and centrally located guesthouse in Gyeongju? Hwarang Guesthouse offers private rooms, friendly service, and easy access to top attractions for solo women. Read my full review!
Gyeongju is truly one of South Korea's best cities for solo travelers. During my recent 2-day, 1-night trip to this historic city, I was on the hunt for an affordable yet well-located place to stay, ideally close to the vibrant Hwanglidan-gil street. That's how I discovered and ended up spending a night at Hwarang Guesthouse.
For any women traveling alone, this guesthouse offers a comfortable and worry-free experience, which is why I'm excited to share my review!
"An excellent value and comfortable stay for solo female travelers in Gyeongju: Hwarang Guesthouse."
Why I Chose Hwarang Guesthouse
I was a pedestrian traveler on this 2-day Gyeongju adventure, so location was my absolute priority.
I wanted to be able to walk to major sights like Hwanglidan-gil, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, and Cheomseongdae Observatory, and I was aiming for accommodation under ~$35 a night.
After comparing several guesthouses, I decided to book Hwarang Guesthouse, which had great reviews and an unbeatable location.
As a solo traveler, the convenience of being able to get around easily, even late at night, was a huge advantage.
Hwarang Guesthouse Pricing
I booked my Gyeongju accommodation through Naver, and here's a breakdown of Hwarang Guesthouse's prices:
I opted for a private single room, and it cost me just ~$24! The price was even better because I stayed from Sunday to Monday, which is typically off-peak.
It was listed as a single room, but it felt more like a double room all to myself!
Hwarang Guesthouse Location & Details
📍 Hwarang Guesthouse
136-1 Wonhyo-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
📍 Hwanglidan-gil
1080 Poseok-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
📍 Cheomseongdae Observatory
839-1 Inwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
📍 Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond
102 Wonhwa-ro, Anapji, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Hwarang Guesthouse is located right in downtown Gyeongju, making it super convenient to walk to all the major tourist attractions.
Based on my own travels, here’s how close it is to some key spots:
Hwanglidan-gil: Approximately a 0.5-mile walk (about 10 minutes)
Daereungwon Tomb Complex: Approximately a 0.5-mile walk (about 10 minutes)
Cheomseongdae Observatory: Approximately a 0.75-mile walk (about 15 minutes)
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond: Also easily accessible on foot.
On top of that, there's a bus stop nearby, and you can reach Gyeongju's main attractions within 10 minutes by bus. I personally opted to rent a public bicycle for my exploration, which was a lot of fun!
With convenience stores and cafes close by, I never felt inconvenienced even when coming back late. The easy access made my solo trip incredibly smooth.
My Hwarang Guesthouse Single Room Review
Check-out by 11:00 AM, Cleaning hours 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
I was assigned room 303, on the top floor. I checked in around 3:00 PM, and they offer luggage storage both before and after check-in, which is super convenient!
Although I booked a single room, it turned out to be a double room! I initially wondered if I'd be sharing, but nope, I had the spacious double room all to myself – what a bonus! The extra space was fantastic.
And of course, the most important aspect of any guesthouse: cleanliness!
The bedding was neatly arranged and clean. The pillows and blankets felt fresh, and the mattress wasn't uncomfortable at all.
When traveling solo, cleanliness is always a top concern, and I was very satisfied with the condition of the bedding.
My room came with a private bathroom, which is a huge plus since some guesthouses only offer shared facilities.
The bathroom was surprisingly spacious, making it comfortable to shower. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were all provided, so I didn't need to pack my own toiletries.
Two towels are provided per night. There's also a hair dryer and extra toilet paper available. The water pressure was good, and hot water was readily available. I didn't detect any drain or cigarette odors at all.
However, typical for a guesthouse, outside food and drinks are not allowed in the rooms. You can enjoy them on the first floor!
I did buy some bottled water from a nearby convenience store and brought it into my room, which was perfectly fine!
Simply spotless!
One wall featured a mirror, a small shelf, and a chair, perfect for a quick touch-up or keeping my belongings organized.
While not a full-length mirror, it was still great for snapping a quick mirror selfie during my trip.
There were also hangers, so I could easily lay out my clothes for the next day's adventures!
Overall, it was a clean and well-equipped Gyeongju accommodation with just the essentials you need.
I visited in April, and while the mornings and evenings were still a bit chilly, the guesthouse's air conditioning and heating worked perfectly, ensuring a warm and comfortable night's sleep!
Breakfast at Hwarang Guesthouse Gyeongju
Hwarang Guesthouse Gyeongju also offers a complimentary breakfast!
You can make your own toast, grab a drink, or brew some coffee.
Breakfast is served from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM in the lobby on the first floor.
After enjoying your meal, simply wash your dishes, and you're good to go!
I started my 2-day Gyeongju trip fueled by toast and orange juice from their breakfast spread.
If you're looking for an affordable guesthouse in Gyeongju with a prime location that allows you to walk to Hwanglidan-gil and Cheomseongdae, and if you appreciate a place with many positive reviews from fellow female travelers and excellent ratings, then I wholeheartedly recommend Hwarang Guesthouse!
Based on Naver Reservations, a single room cost ~$24. The author of the article stayed from Sunday to Monday and paid this price.
According to the author's experience, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to Hwanglidan-gil and Daereungwon, and about 15 minutes to Cheomseongdae. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are also accessible on foot.
The author stayed in Room 303, which was a single room but actually offered space for two people, used alone. It had a private bathroom inside the room, and amenities like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, towels (2 per night), and a hairdryer were provided.
Breakfast is available from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM on the 1st floor of the lobby. It includes toast, beverages, coffee, etc., and is self-service.
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