It is the largest hotel in service (after Ryugyong hotel which is currently closed). Located on Yanggak Island in the middle of the Taedong River, Yanggakdo hotel is one of the tallest buildings in the city, and is thus seen from almost everywhere. It was built between 1986 and 1992 by the French company Dodin Campenon-Bernard (now a subsidiary of the Vinci Group), and was opened to the public in 1995.

The structure measures 170 meters and has 47 floors. There are almost 1 000 rooms and a total surface area of more than 87 000 m2!

Guests can enjoy entertainment like a bowling alley, a swimming pool, a gym, a karaoke, a massage room, a Casino (apparently closed), but also a tailor who can make a customised North Korean suit for a little more than 150 Euros. There is also a small shop where you can to buy snacks for example. Finally, a small corner has been set up in a bookstore where you can buy the latest edition of the Pyongyang times for example or books that have been written by the North Korean Presidents.

In terms of restaurants, there is also everything you need: the 47th floor is occupied by the hotel's best known restaurant, not necessarily for its dishes but especially for its stunning view: it occupies the whole floor and turns on itself. It is perfect for enjoying the view with a drink in the evening. And it's not to mention the other five restaurants (called dining rooms): dining rooms No. 1 and no. 2, as well as a Japanese dining room, a Chinese and a Korean one. Finally a room is dedicated to banquets.

The rooms are comfortable, with a bathtub, hot water 7d/7, air conditioning and TV with foreign channels (the Middle East version of CNN for example). A small bonus: the reception informed the maid about your departure and come to see if the towels were used or not so as to change them!