Travel to North Korea on an individual or two-person basis is certainly possible. Arrangements have to be made, however, through a travel agent dealing with North Korea -- in our case Koryo Tours in Beijing. And it is expensive -- about $1000 a day (for two) -- but the price is inclusive of airfare, two guides, and everything else. (The guides were absolutely delightful people who called us "Mom" and "Dad".) The hotel is a highrise on an island in the river -- and one is morally obliged not to go off the island. (The guides would get into trouble if one did.) Our room was warm and comfortable with tasteful wallpaper, attractive furnishings, cable TV, and so on. When the bathroom lights went out one night, they were quickly fixed, and staff checked to make sure that we were happy. In fact, the staff were universally helpful and kind. Breakfast was quite adequate -- two eggs, rice bread fruit juice, jam, and tea. The dining room manager was very attentive -- and spoke excellent English. Even though the lobby was sort of Soviet Union ca. 1980, any requests were quickly attended to. We liked this place a lot. Okay, it's North Korea and all that -- but we enjoyed the hotel very much.