Last updated on April 23rd, 2018 at 08:04 pm
My Favorite Budget Hotel in Myeongdong Seoul
Most of the time when I stop over in Seoul I stay at this place called Seoul City Hotel. I chose it because it’s right between Namdaemun Market and Namsan Park which is where Seoul Tower is situated. And Seoul City Hotel is also very near another popular neighborhood known for shopping called Myeongdong. And Hoehyeon subway station is just a few minutes walk.
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Namdemeun Market
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Myeongdong Shopping
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Namsan Park
With the convenience of a nearby subway station plus three very nice tourist hotspots, Seoul City Hotel is a really good hotel for anyone not looking to spend a whole lot of money on a room.
I usually stay at Seoul City Hotel around the month of mid March. And usually pay about $50USD to $60USD, breakfast included. January through April is typically the low season, except during new years, is the time you’ll find the lowest hotel rates.
A Room with Windows or No Window?
It’s typical today that most budget hotel rooms in Seoul either have a window or no window. You are given a choice while making a reservation. At Seoul City Hotel a room with a window cost about $5USD extra per night. I’ve stayed in both style rooms before. Of course I prefer the room with a window, even though the view may not be so great. For this review I stayed at a room with a view of a parking lot.
They have single rooms (1 twin bed) which are about 10 square meters, double rooms (1 queen bed) at 15 square meters and family rooms with 2 queen size beds.
I stayed in single room room before with no window last year around March too and for me it’s not that bad.
Every room has bottled water and a kettle for making tea. There are tiny packets of shampoo, soap and tooth brush and tooth paste. They even provide hair spray and gel.
And the free internet Wi-Fi is fast as every room has it’s own dedicated router. Plus there is a charging dock for cell phones using mini-USB ports.
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Double Room at Seoul City Hotel.
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Room fridge with hot water maker and tea.
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Lots of channels on TV.
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Bathroom is decent size.
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Bathroom showers have no doors so expect your bathroom to get all wet.
But there is an advantage for staying at a room with no window. Especially during Korea’s winter, which is the time I was in Seoul. Because it can get really cold there. I visited mid March last month and the temperature was around 45°F (7°C) during morning and night times. Though during afternoons the weather warmed up and felt wonderful. Doesn’t hurt to pack extra sweaters in case if you’re planning to visit Seoul in the winter.
Anyways, Seoul City Hotel also provides free breakfast, as most budget hotels do all over the city as a way to compete for hotel guests.
Not a lot of seating area inside but there is outside seating too.
Seoul City Hotel breakfast pantry.
Sweet potato and hard boiled eggs.
Some thick congee (rice porridge), cereal and fruits.
They don’t serve a big breakfast by Western standards. But what they have is sufficient so I’m not complaining.
And everything is self serve. And you also have to place your used plates and cups in the sink provided. But you don’t have to wash.
One slight complaint is they might want to change up the variety because every day it was nearly the same food.
The Final Verdict
I really like Seoul City Hotel. It’s not a fancy hotel with fancy services and personally I don’t need all of that. There are not a lot of hotel staff but it’s not a big hotel with only 26 rooms. All I care about is that the hotel is clean and easy to get to in a good location. I can easily walk to so many restaurants, convenience stores and cafés right around the hotel. So Seoul City Hotel meets my expectations.
There is a restaurant nearby called Pomato. You can find delicious food there for around $4USD to $6USD.
How to Get to Seoul City Hotel
Seoul City Hotel is just a few minutes walk from Hoehyeon Station (Line #4) which is one stop away from Seoul Station (Line #1). When you exit the train look for street exit #1. Matter of fact you can walk from Seoul Station to Seoul City Hotel which would take about 20 minutes at a leisure stroll.
From Hoehyeon subway train station look for entrance/exit #1.
When you are up the stairs walk to the corner. Look to your right and you will see Seoul Tower up on Namsam Park. Walk up this street. You will pass Rex Hotel to your left and Mido Hotel to your right. Both of these hotels are about $5USD to $10USD more expensive than Seoul City Hotel. But they are also good clean places to stay too and affordable in my opinion as well. Reviews for both coming soon.
Walk up this street, Seoul City Hotel is about 100 meters up.
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And you will see Hotel Rex to your left as you walk up this street.
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Hotel Mido will be to your right.
When you finally see a restaurant called Black and Cook turn right and you will find Seoul City Hotel entrance.
Black & Cook is a restaurant downstairs from Seoul City Hotel. You find this restaurant and you’ll find the hotel.
Keep in mind they have a strict policy for check in time which is 2pm. Check out time is 11am. Of all the times I’ve asked for late check out they always refused. I’m not telling you this because I’m upset. Just letting you know because they are a popular budget hotel in this part of Seoul so hotel staff need time to clean the rooms for the next reserved guests.
The Takeaway
It’s not a fancy hotel with white glove services. But as a solo traveler most of the time it’s something I don’t want to be pampered. Every time I stay at Seoul City Hotel I get a clean room and I can easily walk and explore Seoul on foot. I especially enjoy the walk to nearby Namsan Park even when the mornings are chilly. Seoul City Hotel is okay in my book.
Click Here to read more guest reviews and find discounts for Seoul City Hotel.
