Where to Stay in Seoul for Your First Epic Trip to South Korea

Oct 25, 2017 | 14 comments

BEST HOTELS IN SEOUL FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS TO SOUTH KOREA

I know how you feel. I was also super excited when I bought my first plane ticket to South Korea. And it was going to be my first time in Seoul. To start, I didn’t know where the best neighborhoods in Seoul were either. Will it be Myeongdong, Insadong or Hongdae?

Just like you, I wanted my first trip to Seoul to be epic!

After visiting Seoul for so many years, I’ve learned so much about this city that nearly 10,000,000 people call home. So I’ll share with you what I learned about traveling to Seoul for your very own first epic trip!

SEOUL IS A BIG CITY – FOCUS ON HOTELS AROUND TRAIN STATIONS AND POPULAR CITY ATTRACTIONS

The key to exploring any city you’ve never been to is public transportation. And Seoul has a wonderfully efficient bus and train system.

Seoul is a sprawling and spread-out urban city. So it’s important to book a hotel that is convenient to the city’s must-see attractions. And it helps to stay at a hotel in Seoul close to subway stations.

Lucky for you, I’ve come up with a short list of popular affordable hotels in Seoul. That’s perfect for sightseeing and a short distance walk to the subway stations.

I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels all over Seoul and reviewed the ones I’ve been to as well as recommend some with excellent reviews from friends and family.

MY HAND-PICKED SEOUL HOTELS IN THE BEST LOCATIONS

My handpicked Seoul hotel selections and locations are great for all types of travelers. If you’re a solo traveler, such as myself most of the time, these distinct Seoul neighborhoods are just as perfect for you.

If visiting Seoul with a group of friends, family, or both, I’m going to recommend family-friendly hotels with large rooms that are affordable and of course in the best locations in the city.

I’m also recommending hotels that are run by owners working on-site. These are cozy hotels with personal services and touches that I believe will make an unforgettable first Seoul experience for you. I always believe in supporting small local businesses.

But before we begin, here are some simple tips for your Seoul city hotel research.

5 QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR SEOUL HOTEL SEARCH

• Seoul has a fantastic subway train system. It’s extensive, inexpensive in my opinion, and easy to navigate. Best to pick a hotel in Seoul near Subway Lines #1, #2, and #4. You can use the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) which runs from 05:20 – 11:45 for express trains (8000won) or trains with stops from 05:23 – 23:42 (4150won). 24-hour airport limousine bus makes stops near the 5 best areas to stay in Seoul.
• Like hotels in Japan, accommodations in Seoul are clean and well-maintained. Rarely am I concerned about the sanitary conditions of any hotel rooms in the city, regardless of budget.
• Seoul Hotels are affordable. For $50USD you can score a decent superior room but requires a short walk to a metro subway train station. Hotels in the $80USD price range will set you up in a busy neighborhood with train stations steps away.
• Most budget hotels in Seoul don’t have 24-hour check-in service. If you’re staying at such a hotel you must remember to inform your late arrival ahead of time. This way they’ll have someone wait to greet you.
• Don’t be concerned if you can’t find a Seoul hotel that doesn’t include breakfast. It’s the city of Seoul, you will not have a problem finding many kinds of reasonably priced food.

5 BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SEOUL FOR THE FIRST TIME:

1. Myeongdong – Some consider Myeongdong as one huge tourist trap. Who cares. Plenty of Koreans eat, and spend time and money in Myeongdong too. Koreans love to hang out in Myeondong which is why you should look for a hotel in this area. There are many affordable foods to be bought on the streets or enjoyed at sit-in restaurants. It’s perfectly fine etiquette to walk and eat on the streets of Seoul.
2. Insadong – Lots of souvenir shops mixed in with traditional old-style Korean restaurants tucked into quiet lanes. Easy walking distance to the beautiful palaces of Seoul. Stay here if you want a less hectic atmosphere. Yet want to be close to all the action and take beautiful walks around Seoul.
3. Hongdae – Cheapest area to stay in Seoul. This area is popular with Seoul’s youngsters and hipsters. Also good for oldsters like me. Lots of good eateries and cafés. I wrote about things to do in Hongdae here. You’ll like it here regardless of age.
4. Gangnam – Stayed here because of Psy’s Gangnam Style video. Lots of tall shiny office buildings, bars that ooze charm and character, and brand-name stores. The area looks expensive but not much more than other Seoul neighborhoods.
5. Itaewon – Can’t say this is my favorite area in Seoul but there are a lot of budget hotels in Itaewon. I only stayed in a few hotels in Itaewon previously. Because it was close to the meeting point for a one-day tour of the DMZ that I joined.

“Pick a hotel near wherever locals love to eat, shop and hangout.”

The Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #402:

1. MYEONGDONG (명동)

Hotel Price Range: $40USD to $150USD
Subway Line: #4
Why Stay in Myeongdong: Lots of shops selling Korean beauty products and local fashion clothing. A high concentration of restaurants and dessert shops is another good reason you should stay in Myeongdong for your first visit to Seoul.

Myeongdong (also written as Myeong-dong) has lots of budget to mid-priced hotels. Most budget-minded travelers choose to stay there because most hotels with low rates yet decent quality can be found in Myeongdong.

Many cosmetic shops and an amazing array of cakes, ice creams, and snacks can all be found in Myeongdong at reasonable prices. And don’t forget there are many street food vendors too. So much that you probably wouldn’t need to go eat at a sit-in restaurant

Whichever hotel you choose to stay in Myeongdong I know you will be happy. However, here’s a short list of my favorite Myeongdong hotels that I know you will enjoy for your first epic time in Seoul!

Nine Tree Hotel Myeongdong ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I usually write full hotel reviews on hotels I think are worthy so I did a write-up on Nine Tree Hotel Myeondong so go check it out. I booked a standard room and paid around $80USD per night including taxes.

I chose Nine Tree because it’s one of the newer hotels in Myeondong and also it’s my wife’s first trip to Seoul. Also, I’m desperately trying to save up some brownie points.

Myeondong subway station is less than 100 meters from the hotel. There are 16 floors and around 140 rooms so Nine Tree Hotel is one of the biggest hotels in Myeongdong. It’s also definitely one of the higher quality hotels in the area so I think it’ll be great for your first time in Seoul as well.

The Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #5: “Men, earn as many brownie points as you can from your lady. You never know when you’ll need to cash it in.”

Nine Tree Hotel Myeondong
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 15:00 (3 pm)
Check-out until: 12:00 (12 pm)
Nearest Train Station: Myeongdong subway station exit #8

57 Myeongdong Hostel ⭐️⭐️

This is a very good value hotel for budget travelers looking for comfortable and clean accommodation in Myeondong, Seoul.

I stayed in two types of rooms here, the economy room twin room and standard double room, at separate times and alone. Both rooms have a private shower inside by the way. Funny they call themselves a hostel. But I never noticed a hostel-type set up inside.

Regardless, I suggest booking a standard double room to get a slightly better view of the activity around Myeongdong. The price difference isn’t that much and a standard double room costs roughly $55USD with taxes a night.

Because this is a budget-style hotel in Meongdong, room cleaning is by request for the duration of your stay.

57 Myeondong Hostel
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 15:00 (3 pm)
Check-in is until: 22:00 (9 pm) This means the reception desk closes at 9 pm. Inform the hotel of late arrival.
Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am)
Nearest Train Station: Myeongdong subway station exit #5

Sieoso Hotel Seoul ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This hotel is situated in an area that is about 5-minute walk to the main hub of Myeondong’s center of activity. And, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Insadong.

I added this hotel because I know some travelers don’t want to stay in the heart of the action. After all, they don’t want to step outside of the hotel into a crowd of people.

Also, I believe the Sieoso Hotel Seoul is the best budget hotel for traveling families. If you’ve got at least 6 adults I highly recommend booking the Korean Style Ondol Room B. It’ll cost about $100USD including taxes and breakfast. Plus 3 kids under age 7 stay for free.

Sieoso Hotel also has other room types designed specifically for traveling families so I highly recommend taking a look at what they’ve got. They have a few other types of family-friendly room configurations that meet your needs.

There are also female-only dormitory-style rooms that cost about $20USD per bed, including taxes and breakfast, so that’s a real bargain.

Seiso Hotel Myeongdong
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm)
Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am)
Nearest Train Station: Euljiro (3) san-ga subway station exit #10

Tmark Grand Hotel Myeongdong ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So you’ve got some extra cash and you prefer to stay at a slightly upscale, yet affordable hotel in Myeongdong, then the full-service Tmark Grand Myeongdong Hotel should be your first choice. There’s a swimming pool and fitness center.

It’s one of the best four-star hotels in Myeongdong with double rooms priced at $80USD per night with taxes.

Breakfasts cost about $10USD more but I would pass. There are plenty of better and cheaper food alternatives outside of the hotel.

The Tmark’s location is closer to Namdemun Market. However, the hotel is surrounded by public transportation, including an airport limousine bus stop right outside of the hotel.

Tmark Grande Hotel Myeongdong
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm)
Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am)
Nearest Train Station: Hoehyeon subway station exit #3

Myeongdong is a great area to stay in Seoul and I highly recommend booking a hotel in Myeongdong for your first awesome trip to South Korea.

But what if you’re not into shopping like me? What if you’d rather stay at a hotel near Seoul’s majestic grand palaces?

In that case, you should book a hotel near Insadong!

2. INSADONG (인사동)

Hotel Price Ranges: $50USD to $200USD
Subway Line: #1 or #3
Why Stay in Insadong: Close to Seoul’s majestic palaces and cultural sights. I like to call this area the heart of Seoul.

Insadong was the first neighborhood I ever stayed in when I first visited Seoul many moons ago. It’s near Sejong-daero, a grand avenue leading to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

I wanted to stay in Insadong because from my research Insadong is close to the major palaces of Seoul like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeok Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine.

Insadong is the perfect area to start exploring the city’s rich history on foot. While making stops to indulge in many fine South Korean bakeries and coffee shops along the way.

It’s not far from Cheonggyecheon Stream either. Plus Bukchon Cultural Village is in walking distance also.

If you’re a Korean history buff or enjoy a romantic walk through the palace grounds with a special someone, Insadong is the reason why you would want to stay in Insadong for your first special trip to Seoul.

Yehahodye Guesthouse ⭐️⭐️

I don’t know if the owner remembers me but I stayed here a few nights after arriving in Seoul late after a long flight delay. The owner runs a pottery business on the ground level and rents his rooms above his shop

The rooms were not expensive at about $35USD with taxes and breakfast. Because I booked so fast I didn’t realize, that although rooms are private, the bathrooms are shared by other guests. But it’s not as bad as it sounds even for an OCD freak like myself.

Every floor doesn’t have a lot of rooms, and there are 4 floors, so a shared bathroom on each floor and you can use whichever one is available. There are no elevators so for me, I typically pack light. But the staff at the hotel will certainly give you a hand.

Honestly, it’s not that bad. I loved my stay at Yehahodye Guesthouse.

I stayed inside a single room and felt very comfortable. It was a little small but I didn’t feel cramped. The entire property has a nice little layout and even a rooftop area to chill out and enjoy a free simple breakfast in the morning.

I always believe in supporting small local businesses run by folks that care. If you’re reading this and traveling on a budget in Seoul, consider staying at Yehahodye Guesthouse for your very first visit to Seoul.

And go purchase a small souvenir pottery from their ground floor while you’re there.

Yehahodye Guesthouse Insadong
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 13:00 (1 pm)
Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am)
Check-in until: 23:59 (11:59 pm) Inform guesthouse about check-in beyond midnight
Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #6

Mini Hotel Insa ⭐️⭐️

Because there were only two nights at Yehahodye guesthouse I moved over to Mini Hotel Insa and booked a queen bedroom.

If you can’t get a room at Yehahodye Mini Hotel Insa is a good choice in the heart of Insadong.

It’s about a 5-minute walk north so both hotels are very close. However, it might be hard to find because this part of Insadong is like a funny little maze, with winding streets and a back alley. Honestly, it adds to the ambiance of the hotel as it’s quite charming.

The room is nice with a good mattress with the usual like Wi-Fi and air conditioning working well. There are toiletries available inside the bathroom.

This is more of a full-service budget hotel and very comfortable. I booked a queen-sized room for around $70USD per night with tax and breakfast. This is also another owner on-site hotel so you know service will be better than usual.

Mini Hotel Insa
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 15:00 (3 pm)
Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am)
Check-in until: 23:00 (11:00 pm) Inform the hotel about check-in beyond 11 pm
Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #6

Sunbee Hotel Insadong ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wanted to add in some reviews of three-star hotels in Insadong. I picked Sunbee Hotel after a couple of recommendations from friends after they told me it’s not expensive. Considering the rooms are at least 35 square meters they were right.

I only paid $80USD per night with tax but no breakfast. If you want Sunbee Hotel breakfast it’s $7USD extra per night. But no worries, trust me there’s so much delicious food around the Insadong area you won’t even know what to eat.

My favorite place is Anguk Bakery and Cafe and it’s only a 10-minute walk from Sunbee Hotel. Anyhoo… back to the hotel review.

While I was there I stayed inside a standard double room with a queen-sized bed with my wife for a few nights. We needed more space because we were purchasing nail salon supplies for our salons in Bangkok. And we stayed for a week so we needed the extra space and especially a hotel where we could do our laundry.

And there are bigger rooms available such as the Korean double room at 42 square meters. I never stayed in those room types before but it cost $10USD to $15USD more. So maybe next time.

Sunbee Hotel Insadong
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm)
Check-out until: 12:00 (12 pm)
Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #6

Orakai Insadong Suites ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Here’s the only 4 star rated hotel I recommend for your first trip to Seoul in Insadong. Specifically for traveling families that want a big room space. And even more specifically kids traveling in your group that want a swimming pool.

Orakai Insadong Suites is situated just a few minutes walk from the main Insadong walking street. With one to four-bedroom types available to choose from at affordable prices.

I stayed inside their 2 bedroom deluxe room category with a whopping 74 square meters of space to run around. At least not for me but for the couple I was traveling around with their 4-year-old.

Also, there’s a full kitchen, which we didn’t use because we ate out all the time. But we made good use of the in-room washing machine and dryer.

Orakai Insadong Suites
Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com
Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm)
Check-out until: 12:00 (12 pm)
Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #5

Those are my top four picks for the best hotels to stay in Insadong for your first visit to Seoul. This is an excellent neighborhood for traveling families who need more space and solo travelers who want to stay near majestic palaces in central Seoul.

Now, what if you’re traveling with teenagers seeking a cool vibe location with plenty of vintage clothing shops and Korean fashion at reasonable prices?

If that describes you perfectly then head over to Hongdae and check out some of the hotels I’ve stayed there!

3. HONGDAE (홍대)

Hotel Price Ranges: $50USD to $200USD
Subway Line: #2
Why Stay in Hongdae: For the youngsters or at least the young at heart. Many affordable hostels are geared towards young backpackers. As well as chic boutique hotels for older travelers like myself.

Always abuzz with activity, Hongdae is an area I just recently discovered for myself. Since then I’ve been visiting Hongdae more often ever since. Hongdae has such a cool vibe that I stayed there for a week.

I even wrote a blog post on what to do in Hongdae here. That just shows you how much I like this cozy and quaint neighborhood in Seoul.

It reminds me a lot of NYC’s East Village and hanging out with friends during my younger years. There are lots of cool cafés and international eateries to explore and indulge in. That’s because Hongkik University is nearby so lots of businesses in Hongdae attract uni-aged South Koreans.

Marigold Hotel Seoul – Check Rates

Hotel the Ore – Check Rates

Grape Garden House – Check Rates

Nabi Hostel Hongdae – Check Rates

But Hongdae also attracts lots of young foreign visitors as well because many budget hostels and affordable guesthouses are near Hongkik University. So if you’re of university age or a little younger I highly recommend booking a hotel in Hongdae for your first epic trip because you’ll fit right in.

4. GANGNAM (강남)

Hotel Price Ranges: $60USD $200USD+
Subway Line: #2
Why Stay in Gangnam: Because Korean pop superstar Psy says so.

If you’ve never heard of Gangnam then it’s possible you woke up from a deep coma recently. After Korean pop superstar Psy’s Gangnam Style music video exploded, Seoul’s business, yet fashionable Gangnam district was thrust into the international spotlight.

When I first explored Gangnam district I thought it would be an expensive area. Because there were so many tall shiny office buildings and luxury brand-name goods stores all lined up on a grand avenue.

But it’s not much more expensive than the other Seoul neighborhoods I’ve written about here. I do notice that the hotels in Gangnam, however, are newer and the rooms are larger in configuration.

Ocloud Hotel Gangnam – Check Rates

Urban Place Residence – Check Rates

Hotel Soulhada – Check Rates

Hotel Dormy Inn Gangnam – Check Rates

Gangnam in a way is more orderly while Myeongdong, Insadong, and Hongdae to me are much more chaotic. Which is the way I like it. But Gangnam has plenty of nice hotels recommended for anyone looking for nice mid-priced hotels in Seoul’s posh neighborhood.

5. ITAEWON (이태원)

Hotel Price Ranges: $40USD $200USD+
Subway Line: #6
Why Stay in Itaewon: For me, it was the closest to a DMZ tour pickup location. But Itaewon is still convenient for sightseeing in Seoul by train.

Itaewon is near a US army base so there are lots of businesses catering and familiar to expats and American military personnel. To be honest I haven’t explored Itaewon so much and have stayed in 2 hotels in Itaewon. If you want to stay there be sure to check out the Korean War Memorial Museum in the area. Admission is free for regular exhibits.

Hamilton Hotel Itaewon – Check Rates

Hamilton Hause Hotel – Check Rates

Just because I haven’t explored around Itaewon doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around the area. I’ve read there’s a nice selection of international restaurants behind the Hamilton Hotel Itaewon but at the time I didn’t have a chance to visit. But soon I’ll do a post about things to do in Itaewon probably after my next trip to Seoul.

THE TAKEAWAY

There are many hotels, guesthouses, and hostels all over Seoul perfect for sightseeing in one of the most beautiful cities in East Asia. If you can’t find ones that you like on this post you’re not going to have a problem finding one that’s right for your budget and travel needs.

But here are 5 tips to remember before you book your hotel in Seoul based on my personal experiences:

1. South Korean hotels, guesthouses, and hostels’ typical check-in times range from 2 pm to 3 pm. Check-out times are typically 10 am. From my experience, hotels in Seoul popular with tourists are strict on check-in rules, meaning they rarely allow guests to check in earlier.
2. Most budget-priced hotels in South Korea don’t provide daily housekeeping until requested.
3. Seoul budget hotels that include breakfast in their room rates have simple offerings, like cereal, toast, boiled eggs, rice porridge, and boiled sweet potatoes, you get it. It may not be the best but it’s always sufficient.
4. If you or anyone traveling with you have mobility issues it might be best not to book a hotel near Namsam Park. The area around Namsan Park has hills and inclines that will not be easy to navigate for those with mobility issues.
5. The worst time to visit South Korea is the month of August because of typhoons. So, if you’re looking for the cheapest rates for Seoul hotels that’s when you want to go. Just have a good sturdy umbrella with you.

I’ve traveled back and forth through Seoul on my way to NYC and Bangkok too many times to count. And I’ve stayed in a lot of different neighborhoods in Seoul. Which means a lot of nights spent inside hotels around Seoul.

I’ve never had one bad hotel experience from the hotels I’ve stayed in for these reviews. Sure there’s going to be normal wear and tear, particularly in popular Seoul hotels here and there. But the air conditioning was good in the summer. And the heating worked well in the winter. Just one of the many reasons why I would travel to Seoul without hesitation.

Now that you know where to stay in Seoul for your first epic visit. Remember to come back to my blog and drop a comment. I’d love to hear about your first epic trip to South Korea!