South Korea has a 'Trump' motel with prison cells
The exterior of Trump Hotel shows its theme rooms, including the prison cell. / Photo by Jon Dunbar
By Jon Dunbar
I traveled 284 kilometers south from Seoul to Naju to spend the night in a prison cell. It was one of several theme rooms at Naju’s
, a stone’s throw from Naju Station in South Jeolla Province, just 10 minutes south of Gwangju on the Honam Line.
It all started two weeks ago when I typed “Trump” into
. That led me to the Naju Trump Muintel Facebook page. A “muintel” is an unmanned hotel, where guests check in through machine rather than with a person, intended to reduce costs and maximize guest privacy. This one is alternately called a muintel, a hotel, a business hotel, a motor hotel, a drive-in hotel and a motel. The motel rooms are on the second floor, and the third floor is run as a business hotel.
The hotel, newly opened in July, has a glitzy neon exterior. And a prison cell theme room! What could they be thinking? I had to stay there myself.
So the next available weekend, I filled up my cats’ bowls and headed south, mum to friends about my destination.
Trump Hotel is a short walk from the station, right next to a Lotte Mart. Unsure how it works, I entered the building and took the elevator to the third floor, only to find no lobby. I met owner Hur Jung-oun, his wife Kim Hyo-won and Hur's brother and co-owner Jun-chul and they kindly helped me check in. I got my wish, the prison cell room, for only 55,000 won. I did not identify myself or reveal intentions to write an article.
Guests are expected to enter through the garage, where they get a private parking spot and can walk up a short flight of stairs to the room and a check-in system. But non-drivers are welcome too. The garage displays the hotel logo -- a bunch of playing cards. A reference to Trump’s failed casinos?
Once I was alone in the room, I pulled out my camera and took pictures of everything. Trump bathrobes, Trump bed sheets, Trump hairdryer and, of course, the prison bars. They were real metal and if you brought your own padlock you could lock someone in there. I imagined waking up in the morning to find myself locked in.
The prison bars are pretty strong and you could use them to lock someone in. / Photo by Jon Dunbar
Wearing a bathrobe with “Trump” on it in a prison cell feels like a glimpse of the future many hope awaits Donald Trump. Others may see reference to Trump’s “Lock her up” slogan against Hillary Clinton.
Setting aside all the bizarre themes, Trump Hotel was tied for the most pleasant stay I’ve had in Korea.
Trump Hotel at night is lit up like Las Vegas. / Photo by Jon Dunbar
After my vacation ended, I contacted the owners. Hur owns the hotel with his brother, and worked on everything from design and construction to interior decoration. An artist, his medium of choice is motor hotels and business hotels, and he has other properties in Gwangju and Muan. And, yes, he is in the habit of explaining the Trump theme.
“Our hotel’s trademark is a trump which is a playing card, not U.S. President Donald Trump. Since our trademark isn’t Donald Trump, we do not need to worry about lawsuits,” he told me.
“I am not supportive of President Trump but it doesn’t mean I am fully against him. I don’t care for his politics but I like him as an entrepreneur.”
As for the prison cell, it is one of eight theme rooms, along with mirror, light and plumbing theme rooms. There is even a larger event room with a pool table.
“At first I worried the jail theme would frighten guests,” Hur told me. “However, many customers told us it’s fun and memorable. Today, the jail theme is the most popular.”
So either Hur gave me a legal disclaimer, or he genuinely intended no reference to America’s 45th president. Either way, it sounds like he’s answered this question many times.
The rooms are branded with Trump everywhere. / Photo by Jon Dunbar
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or call 06-1333-1178 for more information.