Bed Room or Ondol Room in Korea: What's the Difference Before You Book?

When booking a stay in Korea, you'll often see room types labeled as bed rooms or ondol rooms. A bed room is simply a room with a bed, while an ondol room has heated floors where you sleep on bedding laid out on the floor.

What exactly is an ondol room?

An ondol room means living on a heated floor. You take your shoes off before entering, and instead of a bed, you sleep on bedding laid directly on the floor. This type is common in hanok stays, some guesthouses, and pensions, and some hotels also sell it as a separate room type.

What should I check when booking?

The room type name usually tells you the number of beds or whether it's an ondol room. If it says ondol, you'll sleep on the floor, and if it specifies a number of beds, it's likely a bed room.

What if I'm still not sure?

1. Read the room type name on the booking page carefully.
2. If photos alone aren't clear, check the property description.
3. If you're still unsure, message the property directly to ask.
4. If you're used to sleeping on a bed, confirm whether the room is ondol before you book.

If floor sleeping isn't something you're used to, checking in advance really matters.