If you're one of those rare visitors to the DPRK (aka North Korea), you're probably not looking for luxury lodging, nor do you have many options. I hear the Yanggakdo Hotel is the really high-class choice, but I didn't want to waste money on a room so I picked Sosan. It's not centrally located (it's off at the end of... More

The Sosan Hotel is, to be honest, not a great hotel. Built in the 1980s for the World Student Games (which was the DPRK's answer to the 1988 Seoul Olympics) it sits in isolated, brooding splendour - what's the opposite of splendour? - in the middle of a large and empty sports complex on the western side of Pyongyang. Going... More

The hall of the Hotel Sosan in Pyongyang was very large and cold in April, the month I was there. First they gave me a room on 19th floor, which I found unpleasant because it was too cold. I exchanged it with one on the 20th floor, where all the rooms had the heated floors, 26°C, delicious! The Hotel Sosan... More

The hotel itself was rather old, but recently renovated, resembled a Sheraton or Hyatt. It has great facilities, a pool, bars, internet access (remarkably), and even cable! Although it was inhabitable, it was inhospitable, as very few knew english, and those who did - was fairly incoherrent. Guards are stationed around the hotel, and they're generally alright if you do... More