Weekly hotels top five of five - South Korea

This week the 8th edition of the Gwangju Biennale gets underway in South Korea.

Gwangju's huge contemporary arts event, the largest of its kind in East Asia, has spawned several competitors inside and outside South Korea - Busan's own interpretation begins a week later on September 11.

It's these huge events that make South Korea such a popular tourist attraction - it's estimated that 6.4 million visitors arrived in 2007, with the country's profile having risen enormously since co-staging the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan.

Most visitors will actually arrive in Incheon (unless you feel like passing through South Korea's less welcoming northerly neighbor, there's no overland way to get there), but the connection to Seoul is via a fast airport express link, expected to fully open later this year.

Seoul

Seoul is the metropolis that most travelers associate with South Korea - the sheer size of the place makes it difficult to know where to start with accommodation. Westin topped the list of TripAdvisor users' favorite hotels in the city, which was dominated by luxury properties.

1. The Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul
2. The Shilla Seoul
3. Park Hyatt Seoul
4. Lotte Hotel Seoul
5. Ibis Ambassador Myeong-dong Hote

Average price of top five $186 - $292 / €147 - €231

Busan

Busan is Korea's second largest city and the fifth largest port in the world, home to a selection of towering skyscrapers, enormous stores and great hotels. Starwood's Westin brand topped the list, although the Lotte Hotel came a close second and was ranked top for business.

1. The Westin Chosun Busan
2. Lotte Hotel Busan
3. Elysee Motel
4. Hotel Nongshim
5. Toyoko Inn Busan No.1

Average price of top five $153 - $222 / €121 - €176

Incheon

Incheon is a key transport hub in South Korea, home to both a busy seaport and the country's ultra-modern international airport. It boasts a good selection of luxury and budget hotels, with the Hyatt Regency Incheon topping the list.

1. Hyatt Regency Incheon
2. Sheraton Incheon Hotel
3. Incheon Airport Hotel Queen
4. Hotel June
5. Best Western Premier Songdo Park

Average price of top five $126 - $178 / €100 - €141

Daegu

The towering Novotel topped Daegu's most popular hotels, with guests describing it as an excellent stay and a bargain.

1. Novotel Daegu City Center
2. The Grand Daegu Hotel
3. Hotel J's
4. Hotel Inter Burgo
5. Daegu Prince Hotel

Average price of top five $102 - $135 / €81 - €107

Daejeon

The Daelim Tourist Hotel was the most popular property in the city of Daejeon, the fifth largest city in South Korea.

1. Daelim Tourist Hotel
2. Hotel Spapia
3. Royal Hotel
4. Hotel Adria
5. Hotel Lotte Taedok

Average price unavailable

Data is taken from millions of independent reviews and rankings surveyed at TripAdvisor taken on August 31, 2010.

Website: http://www.tripadvisor.com