In my expertise speaking to our tour visitors, the most well-liked Seoul lodge areas are Myeong-dong, Hongdae, Jongno, Itaewon, Insa-dong, Dongdaemun, Bukchon, and Gangnam. Some folks have beloved their locations. Others have proven regrets. It will depend on your expectations and targets. Here’s a fast rundown of every space.
(cc) Taehyun Kim
Gangnam Lodges
Going “Gangnam Model” has the cachet of going all ritzy. That’s, in the event you contemplate ritzy to be a bunch of Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. There are some sights in Gangnam, like Lotte World, Lotte World Tower, Bongeunsa Temple, and Garosu-gil. The federal government has tried to arrange Okay-Pop sights, and Samsung has an electronics showroom. It’s additionally the epicenter of medical tourism, so it’s handy to remain there in the event you’re getting some work finished.
Apart from that, it’s type of bland within the tradition division. Some scorching golf equipment are there, together with excessive finish nightlife. The lodges are a number of the finest within the metropolis, and it’s handy to the Coex, in case you’re there for a conference.
The most important draw back of Gangnam is that it’s a chore to journey from there to the locations guests wish to go to. Traces quantity 2 and 9 are notoriously packed and nasty. Line 3 isn’t so dangerous, nevertheless it goes north and south. It may get you to north Seoul and all of the palaces and such. Taxis are extraordinarily troublesome to take care of there.
If you wish to
- Be close to to a conference in Coex
- Go to costly eating places and bars
- Be handy to cosmetic surgery and different medical tourism clinics
- Go to scorching evening golf equipment
- Be close to Lotte World, Lotte Tower, Coex Mall, Bongeunsa Temple, Garosu-gil, Apgujeong
- Be close to the Okay-Pop and excessive tech vacationer traps Samsung and the Okay-gov have arrange
If you happen to don’t care about
- Being close to basic “Previous Seoul” websites
- Being close to Hongdae
- Comfort to most different components of Seoul
- Genuine good Korean meals and road meals
Lodge Solutions
Intercontinental COEX
Oakwood Premier Coex Heart
Park Hyatt Seoul
JW Marriott Lodge Seoul (handy to Specific Bus Terminal)
L7 Gangnam by Lotte
Lodge Peyto Gangnam
Lodge Peyto Samseong
(cc) Eugene Lim
Dongdaemun Lodges
Dongdaemun is consciously going by growth. It was historically the textile district. Lately it’s identified for its clothes markets and Seoul Vogue Week. The centerpiece is the brand new Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which is a superb marvel of recent structure.
It’s nonetheless not vacationer pleasant. The restaurant scene, although to my liking, is just a little tough. There isn’t that a lot inside strolling distance. It will get kinda shady to the east. It does use subway Line 5, which is able to get you to most locations you’re more likely to go.
If you wish to
- Discover Dongdaemun garments procuring and evening market
- Expertise a aspect of Seoul in transformation–just a little tough but in addition new and engaging
- Be close to handy transportation
If you happen to don’t care about
- Vacationer conveniences
- A bit of grunge
Lodge Solutions
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Sq.
Lodge Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun
Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun
Alice Residence
(cc) journey oriented
Bukchon Lodges
That is the romantic hanok village. I prefer it right here, nevertheless it’s getting so overrun with vacationers, they’re making restrictions. The one motive to remain right here is for the hanok expertise, which in the event you can sleep on a pad on the ground, is one thing that’s really memorable. The hanok stays are typically dear, however you’ll be able to catch some offers.
The opposite factor to contemplate is that they’re fairly a trek from the closest subway station, up winding hilly streets. Many instances I’m ready on the assembly spot for The Darkish Aspect of Seoul Ghost Stroll, which begins close to there, and I see drained vacationers lugging their baggage up the hills with each fingers.
Since it’s a residential neighborhood, there is no such thing as a nightlife. It will get extra lively and neon-y a brief stroll to the south in Jongno. The eating places there are typically faux Italian locations and occasional retailers. Oh, the espresso retailers! You’ll all the time be close to a espresso store.
You’re inside simple strolling distance of the basic Seoul sightseeing areas, together with the palaces, the Blue Home, Insa-dong, and Gwanghwamun Plaza.
If you wish to
- Get the genuine hanok expertise
- Be close to basic sightseeing areas
If you happen to don’t care about
- Expense (in the event you can’t discover a discount)
- Comfort to transportation
- Nightlife
- Eating places
- Vacationers in every single place
Urged Lodges
Bonum 1957 Hanok Keep and Lodge
Bukchonmaru Hanok Guesthouse
Raon Guesthouse
Bibimbap Guesthouse
Gongsimga Guesthouse
(cc) eung-seon Kim
Insa-dong Lodges
Insa-dong is without doubt one of the main vacationer zones. It’s an awesome place for souvenirs and getting misplaced in romantic alleys. There’s a lot to see and do. I used to have an workplace there, so I do know it nicely.
I additionally know that it’s scant with good eating places. It was troublesome to get an honest lunch there. You’d should trek additional out for some good fare. For nightlife, there may be the Avenue of Youth throughout the road to the south and Jongno 3-ga, the place the partying seniors hang around, and Ikseon-dong, the brand new cool youth Instagrammy space. Jongno 3-ga can also be one of many final areas the place there are soju tents, such as you see within the Korean dramas.
If you wish to
- Be within the coronary heart of previous Seoul tour areas
- Be close to subway routes
- Expertise previous Seoul, together with soju tents, tea homes, and Tapgol Park
- Get souvenirs
- Expertise Seoul nightlife
If you happen to don’t care about
Urged Lodges
Orakai Insadong Suites
Makers Lodge
Lodge Sunbee
(cc) ume-y
Myeong-dong Lodges
Lots of people keep in Myeong-dong. Some prefer it. Some remorse it. Those who prefer it recognize its comfort to different places in Seoul. However Myeong-dong is infamous for 2 issues: crushing crowds of vacationers and few good eating places. The nightlife there may be uninteresting as nicely. I’ve by no means heard anybody say, “Hey, let’s go hang around and have a beer in Myeong-dong!”
There are some reasonably priced lodges there. It’s good for cosmetics souvenirs. And that’s about it. Low-cost foot massages?
That stated, there are some pleasant little guesthouses north of the procuring areas, nestled on the meals of Namsan Mountain, handy to the Namsan cable automobile.
If you wish to
- Keep within the heart of touristy areas
- Be close to make up retailers
- Be close to low-cost foot therapeutic massage locations
- Be handy to N Seoul Tower
- Be close to subway routes
- Be close to road meals
If you happen to don’t care about
Urged Lodges
Tmark Grand Lodge Myeongdong
Guesthouse The Hill
Lotte Lodge Seoul
YOLO Guesthouse
STEP INN Myeongdong 1
L7 Myeongdong
Aloft Seoul Myeongdong
(cc) limonchiki
Itaewon Lodges
Plenty of enterprise vacationers keep in Itaewon. These are the people who find themselves simply right here for enterprise and have little curiosity in cultural immersion. Itaewon has gotten higher over time. It’s not the expat gutter it was. It’s one of many scorching nightlife areas now. The worldwide eating places and bars are finest right here. However Korean meals is laughable.
In case you are a single traveler and wish to meet different English audio system, together with English talking Koreans, this can be a good location. The bars right here are inclined to keep open later than in different components of the town, in case that jet lag is basically hitting you. It’s additionally extra centrally positioned than different well-liked areas. However don’t depend on taxis. Itaewon is as dangerous as Gangnam in taxi reliance. Take the subway.
If you wish to
- Be close to English audio system
- Expertise one side of Seoul evening life
- Go to late evening bars and golf equipment
- Eat worldwide meals
- Be handy to different components of Seoul
- Have breakfast
If you happen to don’t care about
- Good Korean meals
- Peace & quiet
- Immersing your self in Korean tradition
Urged Lodges
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Imperial Palace Boutique Lodge
Hamilton Lodge Seoul
I.T.W Lodge
Itaewon Inn
(cc) Katie Haugland Bowen
Jongno & Previous Metropolis Heart Lodges
Jongno and Jung-gu (Metropolis Heart) comprise the basic sections of Seoul. It’s the place all the main sights are: palaces, temples, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Gwanghwamun Plaza. It’s inside strolling distance of Insa-dong and a brief practice trip to Dongdaemun trend heart and Itaewon.
The one draw back of Jung-gu is that it’s additionally the middle of Korea’s protest tradition. We haven’t had a serious protest that closed down the streets since 2017. It may get noisy, nevertheless it’s peaceable. Don’t let the police in riot gear freak you out. It’s protected.
There are some nice lodges right here. I’m together with Lotte Lodge right here as a result of it straddles each Metropolis Heart and Myeong-dong. The 4 Seasons is one in all our latest luxurious lodges, and it’s a marvel. There are quite a lot of secrets and techniques and Easter eggs on this lodge, together with a hidden speakeasy. Oh, and a secret you might solely discover out from me–there’s one other hidden speakeasy contained in the hidden speakeasy.
If you wish to
- Be within the coronary heart of Seoul
- Expertise good eating places and genuine Korean meals
- Expertise Seoul nightlife
If you happen to don’t care about
Lodge Solutions
4 Seasons Lodge Seoul
Somerset Palace Seoul
Shilla Keep Gwanghwamun
Koreana Lodge
New Kukje Lodge
Lotte Lodge Seoul
(cc) el_ave
Hongdae Lodges
It’s the youthful hip part of Seoul. It was the place all of the punks and hippies frolicked with a grungy membership scene. Regardless that it’s extra of a theme park, it’s quite a lot of enjoyable. You could possibly spend your complete journey in Hongdae and have tons of adventures.
The Hongdae guesthouse expertise is one thing everybody has stated good issues about. Hongdae is stuffed with them, and I’m stunned that extra guests don’t make the most of them. I’d put Hongdae guesthouses up there with Bukchon hanoks as must-dos.
If you wish to
- Be within the coronary heart of Seoul’s youth tradition
- Be handy to the subway
- Eat good trendy and basic Korean and worldwide meals
- Be handy to airport transportation
- Keep inside price range with lodging with guesthouses
If you happen to don’t care about
- Peace & quiet (nevertheless it will depend on which a part of Hongdae)
- Gangnam
Lodge Solutions
L7 Hongdae by Lotte
Seoul Mansion Guesthouse
Lee & No Guesthouse
Huayuan Home Hongdae
Orbit
Mr. Comma Guesthouse
DW Design Residence
Wow Issue Keep
U Guesthouse Hongdae (Feminine Solely)
Areas which are off the radar
If you need an excellent space that’s handy, however you’re allergic to vacationers, listed here are some areas the information books overlook.
(cc) riNux
Mapo
Right here’s my case for Mapo. It’s in southwestern Seoul. I name it the bed room neighborhood for bankers as a result of it’s simply throughout the bridge from the Yeouido monetary district. It has what I argue is the most handy hub of subway connections in Seoul. It connects to the AREX airport line at Gongdeok Station, which additionally connects to Line 6 (Itaewon), Line 2 (Hongdae, Gangnam, north Seoul), and Line 5 (Yeouido, Dongdaemun).
It’s a secret gem as a result of the vacationers and the Gangnam locusts haven’t invaded it but. It has a number of nice Korean eating places. Quite a bit neighborhoods have some actually good eating places specializing in a single dish and a bunch of copycats. This space has nice BBQ, pubs, soups, seafood, markets. I do quite a lot of meals excursions there. It has good nightlife in the event you’re not into clubbing however get pleasure from an excellent drink with anju (pub grub).
Lodge Solutions
Finest Western Premier Seoul Backyard Lodge
Shilla Keep Mapo
GLAD Lodge Mapo
Gyeongbokgung & Buam-dong
It’s nonetheless a part of the northern basic metropolis heart, however the charming space west of Gyeongbokgung Palace isn’t overrun by vacationers. I discover it just a little harking back to quaint Parisian alleys, dotted with tiny cafes, eating places, and bars. It’s additionally close to Tongin Market, which is without doubt one of the cooler open air markets in Seoul. The closest station is Gyeongbokgung Station, on Line 3, which might take you to Insa-dong and even to Gangnam.
Buam-dong is simply by the tunnel, and it’s a aspect of Seoul you’d suppose didn’t exist. It’s an remoted mountain village. The one lodge I’ve listed right here is Cindy’s B&B. It’s excellent for vacationers who actually wish to get away from all of it, go climbing, get pleasure from dwelling cooked Korean meals, and have a really immersive Korean expertise with Cindy and her household.
Lodge Solutions
Cover & Search Guesthouse
Cindy’s B&B
Guro
I’m on the fence on this. Guro is south of Yeouido in an industrial-tech district. There isn’t any sightseeing right here. I used to stay in Anyang, simply south of it. The one motive I’m together with it’s that it’s a slice of actual Seoul. The eating places are good and genuine. It’s just like the non-touristy neighborhoods of Tokyo in that irrespective of the place you go, there’s a narrative to be created.
TIP: Close to this space is Daerim Station, which is dwelling to Garlic Hen Alley. That could be a place that your folks haven’t found but.
Lodge Solutions
Lotte Metropolis Lodge Guro
Shilla Keep Guro
4 Factors Sheraton Guro
Areas that aren’t so good, until you’re right here purely on enterprise
Take note there are some glorious lodges in these areas. Simply from speaking to guests, they didn’t like staying in these areas.
Yeouido
It’s purely a enterprise district. It’s lifeless at evening. It has a few subway traces going by it. These embrace the notorious Line 9, the one privatized subway line in Seoul and essentially the most miserably crowded.
Seoul Station
There may be nothing to eat round right here apart from quick meals. There’s no nightlife. It’s a practice terminal and is handy to Jongno, Myeong-dong, Itaewon, and N Seoul Tower. It’s additionally the place Seoul’s homeless congregate. The one folks you see on this space are these attempting to maneuver on from this space.
Walkerhill
The 2 lodges there are high of their class. I like them. If you happen to’re searching for a resort or on line casino expertise then these are your lodges. However it’s a resort space, that means it’s faraway from the remainder of the town. That is the place celebrities and dignitaries go to keep away from the general public.
Gimpo
That is the place I stay, and I like it. I couldn’t think about visiting it and not using a automobile. You could find yourself in a layover in Gimpo. The lodges close to it are nice, however entry to eating places and the scant nightlife are nil. The one benefit is that it’s linked to the AREX airport line, so you’ll be able to zoom into Seoul in 20 minutes. I take advantage of that line nearly on daily basis. Bear in mind that the subways shut at midnight.
Incheon
Learn all the things I stated about Gimpo above and make it even additional outdoors of Seoul.
Ilsan
The one causes you’d find yourself in Ilsan is in the event you’re at a conference at KINTEX or having a gathering at Hyundai. I personally like Ilsan quite a bit. It’s simply throughout the bridge from me. There may be good nightlife there. And good eating places. But it’s VERY inconvenient to Seoul, if that’s what you’re all for. However hey, contact me if you wish to get out. Or if you’d like somebody to indicate you round.
What are your experiences with Seoul lodges?
These of you who’ve traveled Seoul, please share your lodge experiences with the neighborhood. Is it price it for a hanok keep? Did you strive a Hongdae guesthouse? How about love motels?
Please put up within the feedback.