DescubriendoViajes (Discovering Stays) shows you the most unique hotels in Spain, the Caribbean, and around the world to inspire your next getaway.
There are affiliate links in this guide. Booking through them doesn’t cost you extra and helps me keep sharing honest, first-hand hotel reviews without sponsored stays.
We do not sell accommodation. We simply share recommendations based on real experiences.
Where to Stay in Seoul (And the Neighborhood You Should Avoid)
By Javier Sobrino
Founder • Explored Seoul for 10 Days
If you want to avoid booking a hotel in a bad neighborhood, or one with good reviews that's actually just… meh, I recommend spending the next 5 minutes reading this guide. It covers the best places to stay in Seoul, packed with essential tips to help you plan your trip better.
After exploring Seoul for 10 days and personally staying in different hotels and guesthouses across 3 areas, I realized that many blogs recommend neighborhoods that just don't make sense for a short trip.
Here, based on my real, on-the-ground experience, I'll tell you what the best areas are to stay in Seoul and which ones you should probably avoid.
The goal isn't to overwhelm you with a thousand options, but to help you figure out the best area for you in just a few minutes.
Hotels I’d definitely stay at
ibis Styles
If you’re looking for the best location, a budget-friendly price, and solid facilities and service, don’t take risks. Ibis Budget Myeongdong. I stayed here myself and I’d 100% stay again.
Check PriceGongsimga Hanok
If you’re looking for a more traditional Korean experience, a classic guesthouse just to sleep and feel the local vibe, Gongsimga Hanok is a great option. I stayed here myself and I’d 100% stay again.
Check PriceFour Seasons
If you want the very best, then Four Seasons Hotel Seoul has the highest ratings and a perfect location. Just keep in mind it’s a 5-star hotel.
Check Price1. Myeongdong: In My Opinion, the Best Area to Stay in Seoul
If I had to choose just one place to stay in Seoul, it would be Myeongdong. I’ve stayed in three different areas of Seoul, and for me, this was by far the best in terms of the hotel's value for money, as well as the services and attractions in the area.
However, if you're staying for more than 3 days, you could do what I did and combine your stays: a few days in Myeongdong + 1 night in a traditional guesthouse in Hwa-dong (the neighborhood where the palaces are).
In Myeongdong, you'll find tons of cafes, restaurants, and bars of all kinds and for all budgets.
I'm going to list a few that I visited and really liked, so you know they're a safe bet. But I definitely recommend wandering the streets and using Google Maps to find places that catch your eye.
Best 3 hotels in Myeongdong
Ibis Ambassador
Solid 4-star facilities with a 3-star price. The 21st-floor rooftop and central location make it the smartest choice for most travelers. Read my full review here.
Check PriceHotel Prince Seoul
Right next to the Ibis, it has fantastic reviews and a perfect 10/10 location. Often a bit cheaper or similar price.
Check PriceLe Meridien Seoul
High-end luxury right in the heart of Myeongdong. Perfect for a premium, modern design experience.
Check PriceWhat to See Near Myeongdong
Within a 30-minute walk, you can reach most of the main tourist attractions, like the War Memorial of Korea (point 1 on the map above), the night market (3) which is literally a 5-minute walk away, Insa-dong Culture Street (4), Ch’angdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces (5), and Bukchon Hanok Village (6) (the famous street with traditional houses).
In other words, almost everything recommended to see in Seoul is just a 30-minute walk from this area. That's why I highly recommend it if you're traveling to Seoul for tourism.
Some Cafes and Restaurants I Loved in Myeongdong
Knowing where to stay is great, but knowing truly good places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that offer great value and service is even better.
So, since I tried a lot of places, I'll share the ones I liked the most (I won't even mention the others to keep things simple).
Cafe les Parisiens
The Buttons (breakfast and brunch)
Dashan Uygur Helal Restaurant (great food, nice atmosphere, and cheap)
And my absolute favorite: Myeongdong Kyoja. I discovered it on my last day, and it was hands-down the place I enjoyed the most. On top of that, a meal for two people only cost me $16 USD.
2. Hwa-dong Palace Area: A Great Idea for a Traditional Guesthouse Stay (1-2 Nights Max)
When I was planning my trip to Seoul, one thing that really caught my eye was the traditional Korean guesthouses. So, I wanted to try one out to tell you all the pros and cons of staying in one.
Because while they might look beautiful in photos, my experience trying out hotels tells me that's not always the full story.
Map Guide (See the map a bit further up to understand the numbers):
(4) Insa-dong Culture Street: A street full of galleries, craft shops, and a cosmetics outlet, hehe.
(5) Gyeongbokgung and Ch’angdeokgung Palaces
(6) Bukchon Hanok Village & Bukchon Yukgyeong Street: The neighborhood with the traditional houses and its most famous street.
What to See in the Palace Area
Before we get to the hotels, it's good to know what you can visit in this area to see if it's worth staying here for you.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Ch’angdeokgung Palace
Bukchon Hanok Village (the neighborhood with the traditional little houses that you see in all the Korean movies, haha)
Lots of local art shops (I bought a backpack in one of these shop-galleries; I'll show you photos later).
Many cafes with traditional-meets-minimalist decor.
Best Hotels Near the Palaces and Hanok Village
Best hotels in the Palace Area (Hwa-dong)
Gongsimga Hanok
The perfect balance between traditional charm and price. Right next to the palaces with an authentic local vibe. Read my full review here.
Check PricePrivate Hanok
An exclusive and premium traditional experience. Features the highest location score in the Bukchon area.
Check PriceYeon Dang Guesthouse
Simple and affordable. Recommended for travelers who want a traditional bed and a great location on a budget.
Check PriceSome Cafes and Shops I Liked in the Palace Area
To make your trip easier and ensure every place you visit is a hit, I'm going to list the spots I liked for both coffee and shopping. I ate in this area twice, but the restaurants were just okay, nothing special, so I won't even mention them.
For coffee, ice cream, or sweets:
Cafe Cordialement
Cafe Changdeokgung
Local artisan shop:
315 Small Wonders. It's new and not on Google Maps yet, but the address is 149-8 Sogyeok-dong, Jongno District, Seoul. It's a leather craft shop where the owner is also the designer and creator. I bought a backpack for 200,000 KRW (about $140), and besides being gorgeous, the quality is top-notch. They also have handmade leather cardholders for $7 or more luxurious bags for $400. I highly recommend visiting because there's something for every budget.
Besides this shop, you'll find many others offering hand-drawn portraits on the spot, hanbok dress shops, private photographers, etc.
3. Hongdae: Nightlife, Fun, and Youth Culture......
Hongdae is the ultimate university neighborhood, and you can feel it the moment you arrive: tons of young people, live music on the streets, K-pop groups dancing, bars everywhere, and a super lively and cool atmosphere.
Every afternoon, around 7:00 PM, the street shows and concerts begin, but it's at night when the area truly comes alive. I even found a salsa and bachata club where I hung out for a bit, though I didn't dance since I was still recovering from my shoulder accident in Lombok. (You can check out my guide on where to stay in Lombok, Indonesia if you want to know why they say it's the new Bali).
That said, I only recommend sleeping here if you're traveling with friends or looking for cheaper hotels.
My recommendation is to stay in Myeongdong and then, when coming back from a night out, take the subway (very efficient and safe) or a taxi/Uber (approx. €5-7). Further down, I'll tell you how much a taxi costs and answer other frequently asked questions that will help you on your trip.
The Best Parts (Pros):
Hotel prices are cheaper (about 20-30% less).
A young and lively atmosphere.
Live music and dancing in the streets.
Countless bars, clubs, and creative cafes.
The Worst Parts (Cons):
Can be noisy for sleeping.
It's not central for cultural sightseeing.
If you're looking for peace and quiet, it's better to stay in another area.
Best Hotels in Hongdae
Although I didn't book a hotel in this area, I did visit it on two separate occasions and got to know the main streets, the party areas, and some of the clubs. So, I'm going to give you a list of places where I would stay if my goal was nightlife, with some daytime sightseeing in the city center via the subway.
List of good, well-priced hotels in Hongdae
Price: Mid-range (approx. €65/night). Remember to book a place with a rating of at least 8+.
If you’re looking for something more specific, these are the best value-for-money hotels in Hongdae:
4. Gangnam: The neighborhood some bloggers recommend, but as a tourist, I say NO.
One of the neighborhoods that disappointed me the most in Seoul was Gangnam. Many blogs describe it as a vibrant area, full of life and things to do.
But for me, the reality is that it's an area of offices, shopping malls, a few clubs, and little else.
In short: unless you have a specific reason to sleep here (business, an event, or just plain curiosity), I would not recommend it. If you only have a few days in Seoul, your time is much better spent in Myeongdong, Hongdae or the palace area.
The Good:
Plenty of shopping options (malls and luxury stores).
Good subway connections, like the rest of Seoul.
Nightlife with some large Korean music clubs and even Latin dance halls.
The Bad:
Little of interest for tourists.
Far from the main monuments and attractions.
A very corporate atmosphere, lacking any special charm.
Best Hotels in Gangnam
Gangnam Suncity Guesthouse
Price: Mid-range (approx. €60/night)
Online Rating: 8.5/10
My Personal Rating: 6.5/10
Although the online rating for Gangnam Suncity is an 8.5, personally, I felt it was inflated. The only thing saving it is the price.
The bed is small for two people, the room has extremely high humidity (so much so that the floorboards were warped and coming up), and to top it all off, there's a building under construction right in front, so it's noisy from 8 am, Monday to Friday.
In short, if you were thinking of staying at this hotel for its “value,” save yourself the trouble and skip it. I'm going to list some better hotels in the Gangnam area for you instead.
That said, my advice is that if you do stay in this area, you'll need to book an expensive hotel, because the prices here are high.
The best value for money hotels in Gangnam
Price: All price ranges. Budget and luxury.
Recommendation: Choose something with a rating of 8+.
🎥 Bonus #1: Find the "Gangnam Style" Filming Locations!
🦑Bonus #2: Follow the Footsteps of "Squid Game"!
For fans of the first season, this is a must-visit spot. Tapgol Park is where one of the most crucial conversations in the series takes place, when Gi-hun learns the truth about the old man, Oh Il-nam (Player 001).
It’s a real and historically significant park in the heart of Seoul, located in the Jongno district (actually, it's in Myeongdong and I walked near the park at least 2 times, but I realized when I came back home and started writing the post…). It provides a quiet, reflective atmosphere, perfect for fans who want to sit on a bench and relive one of the show's biggest plot twists.
5. ℹ️ Essential Info that Will Save You Money and Hassle
E-sim en aeropuerto o app
Quick Answer: It's cheaper to buy your e-SIM at the airport than through travel apps. Plus, they give you a free T-Money card for public transport.
Long Answer: I recommend buying the e-SIM directly at the airport. The price is better, and you don't have to deal with swapping out your physical SIM card like in some countries. Not all airports sell e-SIMs, but Seoul's does.
The best part is that along with the e-SIM, they give you the T-Money card, which you can use to pay for the subway, buses, and even in convenience stores like 7-Eleven. That card normally costs about €2, so it's a win-win.
T-Money Card for Public Transport
The card is super easy to use: you top it up and tap it when you enter the subway, bus, or train.
Important: It's one card per person. You can't just tap it twice for two people like you might in Madrid or any other city. If you tap it twice, the machine thinks you've exited, not that another person is entering, and you won't be able to make transfers without an extra charge. You can also pay with cash on the buses.
You can recharge it at any 7-Eleven, CU, or GS25 store. There's usually one on every corner.
The Best Way to Get to Seoul's City Center
For me, the most comfortable way to get to the center of Seoul from the airport is the AREX Express Train. (You get an assigned seat, Wi-Fi, it's clean…)
Time: 43 minutes to the city center.
Price: About 7$.
A taxi costs around $50 and takes between 1h and 1h:15m depending on traffic.
The train drops you off at Seoul Station (the central station). From there, the most practical thing to do is take a taxi to your hotel (about $5) and avoid the hassle of carrying your luggage around trying to figure out the local bus lines on your first day.
Oh, by the way: you can't eat or drink on public transport. If you do, someone will tell you off.
Museums and Main Attractions
Something that surprised me is that most museums are either free or very cheap. For example:
Gyeongbokgung Palace: €2.
War Memorial of Korea: Free.
National Museum of Korea: Free.
So you can see a lot without spending much at all.
Apps That Will Help You Get Around
Google Maps doesn't work 100% in Korea due to legal restrictions. Still, it can pinpoint your location and is useful as a reference to see where you're going and what's around you.
However, if you have trouble navigating, the apps the locals use are Naver Map and Kakao Metro. I didn't download them because I'm good with directions, but if you prefer more precision, install them.
Quick Trick to Convert Won to USD
One USD is roughly 1,400 won, but I simplified it like this:
Divide by 2 and add a little bit.
Example:
5,000 won → divide by 2 = 2.5 → add a little bit → 3.5 → $3.5 (exact = $3.60)
160,000 won → divide by 2 = 80 → add a little bit → $110. (exact = $115)
It's not exact, but it works really well for quick mental calculations.
Doing Laundry During Your Trip
The Ibis hotel where I stayed had a self-service laundry: $3 for the washer + $3 for the dryer.
It was a lifesaver, because on long stays, the laundry really piles up. My advice: if you're traveling for several days, choose a hotel with a laundry room. Finding laundromats on the street isn't that easy, and you end up wasting time looking for one, going there and back…etc.
Here's what I did: I put a load in the washer before dinner, moved it to the dryer after dinner, and by the time I finished my beer on the rooftop, I just had to pick it up and take it to the room. Total time invested = 5 minutes.
Take the Opportunity to Buy Cosmetics
Believe it or not, cosmetics are much cheaper here than in Europe or USA. It's a huge thing, and they have tons of brands and stores on every corner.
Creams that cost €25 in Spain can be found for €10–12 there. Plus, there are cosmetic outlets for both women and men. It's definitely worth picking up a few things.
Meal Prices in Seoul
I spent an average of about $30 per day on food:
Breakfast: from $8.
Lunch: from $12.
Dinner: from $10.
Snacks: from $2.
Obviously, you can spend less or more, but this was my budget eating at places that were good, nice, and affordable.
Taxi and Uber Prices in Seoul
Compared to Europe or the USA, taxis in Seoul are waaay cheaper.
A 15-minute ride costs about ($8). So, it's definitely worth using a taxi on days when you have to move around with your luggage.
The best areas
Share it with your partner!
We can help you!
We have already been there and can help you personally (at no cost and sometimes with private discounts).
Leave us a comment with what you need and we’ll get back to you. Remember: the more information you give us, the better we can help. It’s best if you share as many details as possible—travel dates, exact vacation days, what you’d like to do, how many people… etc.
If you know of another accommodation you liked and it’s not on our list, feel free to share a short experience you had there and we’ll add it so other users can learn about it.