After watching countless K-dramas and listening to NewJeans on repeat, you’re finally ready to make a trip to Seoul. Even if you’ve emptied your wallet on concert tickets and music albums, it’s still possible to find the oppa of your dreams. Now, go forth and save on lodging with these cheap hotels in Seoul under $100/night.
Note: The figures provided are based on the cost of a night’s stay from in the the months of May or June 2023.
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Image credit: Accor
ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeong-dong is located just a 7-minute walk from Myeong-dong Station, one of the stations on Seoul Subway Line 4. That makes it a great choice for those heading to Seoul to shop. After all, you’ll be right in the heart of one of Seoul’s primary shopping districts.
Image credit: Accor
The hotel also has a rooftop bar called Le Style Bar, which has a great view of the city skyline you can admire while you sip on your drink. Rooms also have a view of Myeong-dong Street if you enjoy watching the hustle and bustle of local life.
Rates: From ₩91,265/night (~S$94)
Image credit: Hotel Nafore
Spacious rooms, a rooftop garden, and a ₩7,000 (~S$7.24) breakfast buffet are just some of the things you can expect at Hotel Nafore. Having a smart bidet is something unheard of for the average Singaporean, but it’s an amenity you can find at the rooms in Hotel Nafore. And you won’t really be able to appreciate one until you’ve tried it.
Image credit: @rhadipranoto
The hotel is near popular attractions such as the Cheonggyecheon Stream, an 11km-long waterway that runs through downtown Seoul. The stream has an intriguing history – once heavily relied on by refugees after the 1950-53 Korean War – but has now been restored into a park.
If you’re in the mood for some local street food, head to the Gwangjang Market for some tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) or bindaetteok, also known as mung bean pancake.
Rates: From ₩93,150/night (~S$96)
Image credit: @undercover_travel
Sleeping in a pod is a novel experience. From as low as S$27/night, you can have a neat little space of your own to come back to at THE CAPSULE Myeongdong. Everything is within arms reach in this 20sqm space where you can really indulge in some me time.
Image credit: @undercover_travel
There’s a communal bathroom on each floor that comes with essentials such as shampoo and body soap, so you can truly pack light. If you’ve run out of space, the hotel also has lockers available to store your items.
Rates: From ₩26,198/night (~S$27)
Image credit: Hotel The Designers
The rooms at Hotel The Designers are an interior designer’s dream come true – just look at that little wooden nook for sleeping, those aesthetic rattan furniture, and that dash of greenery. That’s not all, other room categories feature different aesthetics, such as this one that looks like a bachelor pad:
Image credit: Hotel The Designers
There are amenities that remain constant for their rooms though, like free Netflix access for all guests. They even have a snack bar on the first floor that’s open as late as 11pm.
The hotel is located just outside Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, which is connected to 3 other train lines for easy connection to other parts of Seoul. Some sights rich in heritage and arts nearby include Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun), and Naksan Public Art.
Rates: From ₩82,476/night (~S$85)
Image credit: Tmark Hotel
Tmark Hotel Myeongdong is another affordable hotel that’s located near where all the action is in the famous shopping district.
The hotel’s all about convenience, with access to a convenience store that’s open from 6.30am-1am within the building itself. The hotel is also a 2-minute walk from Chungmuro Station and is close to popular tourist spots like Namdaemun Market and Namsangol Hanok Village.
Their quadruple rooms can accommodate 4 pax each.
Image credit: Tmark Hotel
Those who are travelling as a family can also consider booking other room categories such as the Deluxe Twin, Family Twin, and Standard Triple – although, these will cost more than S$100/night.
Rates: From ₩73,743/night (~S$76)
The rooms here are cosy but comfy with everyday comforts such as a television, mini-fridge, and kettle.
Image credit: Hotel Stay Inn Seoul
If you’re looking to stay right in the heart of the city, Hotel Stay Inn Seoul Station is just a 10-min walk from Seoul Station. With the bus, train, and metro all close by, you’ll be set to explore Seoul as soon as you check in.
Image credit: Hotel Stay Inn Seoul
The hotel also has a baggage storage service – so you can leave your luggage after you check out or while you’re waiting to check in after arriving on an early morning flight.
Rates: From ₩60,159/night (~S$62)
Come back to a calm and cosy stay after a day of adventuring.
Image credit: Mini Hotel Insa
Immerse yourself in the local atmosphere at Mini Hotel Insa. The cute inn-spired hotel is located in the Jongno neighbourhood with a small garden outside. Despite being slightly outside the city, it’s still close to sights like Bukchon Hanok Village and Jogyesa Temple.
Image adapted from: Mini Hotel Insa
Mini Hotel Insa is a stone’s throw away from Angul Station, which ensures that it’s well-connected to the rest of Seoul.
Rates: From ₩78,595/night (~S$81)
Image credit: Grid Inn Hotel
Get the true Korean cafe experience at Grid Inn, which houses its own in-house cafe serving up fusion cuisine and local coffee. There’s also a rooftop seating area with great views of Seoul Tower and the city skyline which makes for great photo opportunities. Travelling is convenient as well, as it’s a 5-minute walk to Jongno 3-ga station which is along one of the 3 major lines.
The rooftop area of Grid Inn.
Image credit: @namy.i
Rates: From ₩62,100/night (~S$64)
Image credit: JSboutiquehotel
If one of your main reasons for going to Seoul is to fill up on KBBQ buffets, Gwangmyeong JS Boutique Hotel is located near plenty. If you want a local’s recommendation, the manager has even curated a few for guests to check out on the Gwangmyeong JS Boutique Hotel website.
Image credit: JSboutiquehotel
There are also some unique sights to check out nearby like Gwangmyeong Cave, a theme park which was once an abandoned mine.
Rates: From ₩66,185/night (~S$68.21)
Image adapted from: @hanriverguesthouse
Brightly coloured themed rooms await you at Han River Guesthouse. From a full-on Hello Kitty room to bright yellow hues, it’s hard to imagine that some of these rooms go for as low as ₩61,129/night (~S$63). It’s also just a short walk from Han River, which is a great break from the bustling city.
Image credit: @hanriverguesthouse, @hanriverguesthouse
You can even comfortably enjoy the view of the river from the rooftop terrace. If you happen to plan your trip for the beginning of October, the terrace is also a great spot to catch a grand fireworks display during the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, held on 8th October this year.
Rates: From ₩61,129/night (~S$63)
See, it really is possible to plan a trip to Seoul without splurging on accommodation. Hopefully, these budget hotels have got you going “oh my oh my god”, and excited to head there without having to break the bank.
For more tips for travelling to South Korea, check out:
Cover image adapted from: Hotel The Designers, Tmark Hotel, Mini Hotel Insa & Accor
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