"What is a residence? Is it different from a hotel?"

When searching short-term rentals you'll often see the word 'residence'.
It can look like a hotel but have a kitchen, or look like a studio but offer hotel services. Many people find it confusing.

This article explains what a residence is and how it differs from a hotel or a one-room apartment.

What is a residence?

A residence is a midpoint between a hotel and a private studio apartment.
It offers building amenities like a hotel, while providing a living-style unit with a kitchen, washer, and household appliances like a studio.
Contracts for short-term stays from 1 week to several months are possible, and units are fully equipped so you can move in with just your luggage.
Also called serviced residence, residence hotel, or residential lodging.

Residence vs Hotel vs One-room — at a glance

Why a residence can be better than a hotel

You can cook and do laundry

In a hotel you often need to eat out for every meal during long stays.
Food alone can add ₩300,000–₩500,000 per month.
Residences have kitchens and washers so you can cook and do laundry yourself.

Costs can be less than half

In Seoul, long-term stays at 3-star hotels often cost ₩1,800,000–₩3,000,000 per month.
Residence short-term rentals in the same area are usually ₩500,000–₩1,500,000 per month.

Much more living space

Hotel rooms center on bed and bath, so desks are often small or missing.
Residences usually separate bedroom, kitchen, and living area, reducing space fatigue during long stays.

Why a residence can be better than a standard one-room

No large deposit

Standard one-rooms typically require a deposit of ₩5,000,000–₩10,000,000.
Using a residence short-term rental platform lets you move in without that deposit.
plott LIFE direct listings start from a ₩0 deposit.

Move in with just your luggage

Standard one-rooms often lack appliances and furniture, so you must set them up before moving in.
Residences include AC, fridge, washer, bed, desk, and Wi‑Fi.

Flexible contract lengths

One-rooms usually require 1+ year leases.
Residence short-term rentals offer contracts from 1-week, making them ideal for business trips, temporary gaps during moves, or month-long stays.

plott LIFE residence short-term rentals — what's available?

plott LIFE operates direct residence listings across major regions: Seoul, the metropolitan area, Busan, Siheung, Ulsan, Sokcho, and more.

Seoul — Gangnam & Seocho

• LeCollective Signity Studio (50㎡, from ₩900,000/week)

• LeCollective Gangnam Roium Studio (27㎡, from ₩550,000/week)

Seoul — Jongno & Euljiro

• UrbanStay Boutique Ikseon Studio (19㎡, from ₩700,000/week)

• UrbanStay Myeongdong Studio (18㎡, from ₩700,000/week)

Incheon & Songdo

• UrbanStay Songdo Dalbit Park Studio (22–23㎡, from ₩230,000/week)

• UrbanStay Chinatown Studio (23–24㎡, from ₩250,000/week)

Busan

• UrbanStay Seomyeon Station-area Studio (16㎡, from ₩240,000/week, management fee ₩0)

• UrbanStay Busan City Hall Yeonsan Station-area Studio (20–26㎡, from ₩250,000/week)

• UrbanStay Haeundae Station Full-option Residence Studio (22–32㎡, from ₩250,000/week)

• Choryang LeCollective Busan Station Suite (50㎡, from ₩550,000/week)

• UrbanStay Boutique Nampo Studio (16㎡, from ₩220,000/week)

Siheung — Geobukseom & WavePark

• UrbanStay Geobukseom Studio (27㎡, from ₩200,000/week, 20% off for 4+ weeks)

• LeCollective Siheung WavePark Studio (29㎡, from ₩190,000/week, 20% off for 4+ weeks)

Ulsan, Sokcho, Dangjin, Yangyang, Jeju

• Ulsan Stars Studio (19㎡, from ₩320,000/week)

• Sokcho Beach Studio (22–28㎡, from ₩230,000/week)

• Dangjin UrbanStay Studio (23–24㎡, from ₩260,000/week)

• Yangyang Naksan Beach Studio (24㎡, from ₩270,000/week)

• Jeju Yeondong Studio (30㎡, from ₩350,000/week)

3 things to check before signing a residence short-term rental

① Are management fees & utilities included?

Management fee structures vary by listing.
plott LIFE direct listings include management fees and utilities in the rent.

② Building amenities — what's included?

Check whether building facilities like the pool, sauna, or gym require extra fees or are included.

③ Is parking available?

If you bring a company car, confirm whether parking is free.

FAQ — common questions about residence short-term rentals

Q. What’s the biggest difference between a residence and a hotel?

A. Whether you can cook and do laundry, and the cost.
Residences have kitchens and washers so you can cook and wash clothes.
For long stays, costs are often less than half compared to hotels.

Q. How much is the deposit for a residence short-term rental?

A. It depends on the platform. plott LIFE direct listings start from a ₩0 deposit.
Samsam M2 has a fixed deposit of ₩330,000.

Source: Samsam M2 & plott LIFE official sites (as of 2025)

Q. How much is a month at a residence?

A. It varies by region and listing.
At plott LIFE Siheung WavePark, 4 weeks costs about ₩712,000 (after 20% discount).
In central Seoul, monthly rates typically range from ₩800,000–₩1,500,000.

Q. Can you find residence listings on Samsam M2 too?

A. Yes, Samsam M2 lists residence-type properties.
However, they charge a ₩330,000 deposit and management fees vary by listing. plott LIFE direct residence listings start from a ₩0 deposit and include management fees.

Residence short-term rentals combine hotel conveniences with the feel of a private studio.

For stays of a month or more, costs are often less than half of hotels, and deposit burdens are much lower than standard one-rooms.
For business trips, gaps between moves, or month-long stays, residence short-term rentals are a practical choice.

plott LIFE — short-term residence rental platform

Direct listings from ₩0 deposit · weekly contracts · utilities included · fully furnished

Start your search for residence short-term rentals at plott LIFE.