We know, we know. Korea calls. Every friend on IG seems to be frolicking around the land of kimchi, clinking glasses of soju, and exploring old towns in cute hanboks. If you’re right on the precipice of booking that flight ticket, welcome to the club. We can begin dreaming up our next vacation by checking out these new and aesthetic hotels in Seoul, South Korea.
We’ve sussed out accommodations that have opened during, or right before the pandemic so they’re perfect for both first-time and repeat visitors. Of course, they have to be budget-friendly as well – to save cash for eating and exploring. These are priced from as low as an average price per night of S$56 with minimum 4 star ratings on Google.
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Image credit: Anteroom Seoul
Frequent travellers to Korea may know that while Myeongdong and Hongdae are great places to stay for first-time travellers, culturally rich areas like Garousu-gil are where many hidden gems lie.
Opened in 2020, Hotel Anteroom Seoul is located a 5-minute walk away from Sinsa Station and is a great base to explore the small boutique stores in the area.
Twin Studio Room.
Image credit: @anteroomseoul
After exploring the vicinity, kick back in their Studio Twin (from S$93/night), with a platform bed for extra storage space, and large windows.
The rooftop Tellers 9.5 is a cafe, art book store, and bar.
Image credit: @ga.sang_gong.ga
Head up to the 19th floor for the artbook store and bar that overlooks the Han River and Namsan Tower.
Book a stay at Anteroom Seoul.
Rates: From S$93/night for the Studio Twin Room
Address: 153 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-542-2300 | Anteroom Seoul website
Hotel entrance.
Image credit: @n.upi
Some love the loud and vibrant Y2K aesthetic, but if nude colour palettes are more your cup of tea, try Tong Tong Petit Hotel, doused in relaxing hues of brown, beige, and coral. It may not offer 5-star luxury but this modest 3-star hotel has received plenty of raving reviews for its friendly service.
Rooftop patio with a view of Namsan Tower.
Image credit: Tong Tong Petit Hotel
It’s also located near popular tourist attractions like Changdeokgung Palace, Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Dongdaemun Market, and near to Seoul’s City Hall subway station, where you can visit other parts of the city from.
Image credit: @ming29tw
If you’re travelling alone, good news: Tong Tong Petit is one of the few hotels that offer solo rooms, with cosy Duplex Single Rooms (S$81/night). Couples can instead go for the Double Rooms (S$109/night).
Book a stay at Tong Tong Petit Hotel.
Rates: From S$81/night for a Duplex Single Room
Address: 91 Yulgok-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 10-3084-3220 | Tong Tong Petit Hotel website
Image credit: Hotel in 9 Gangnam
You heard it first from PSY – Gangnam is poppin’. Located within the hubbub of the district is Hotel in 9 Gangnam.
Not to be confused for a swimming pool, the hotel’s lounge area has with a Roman bath-inspired water feature that’ll be a great backdrop for your Korea #OOTDs. Travellers, you’ll also be happy to hear that this crib is just a short 1-minute walk from Subway Line 9’s Bongeunsa Station, which is directly connected to the international airport.
Image credit: Hotel in 9
Get the Deluxe Corner Room (S$196/night), with massive windows flanking the bed, for the best views of the city. If you’re on a budget, standard rooms are also available from S$144/night.
Book a stay at Hotel in 9 Gangnam.
Rates: From S$144/night for a Standard Double
Address: 618 Yeongdong-daero, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-311-9000 | Hotel in 9 Gangnam website
Standard Double.
Image credit: Glue Hotel
Glue may be a 1-star hotel but it certainly doesn’t look like it. With rooms from S$56/night, you probably wouldn’t expect clean, new and modern interiors with sweeping views of the city, but you’ll get all that right here. Music lovers can even borrow vinyl discs from the first floor to play in the room.
Rooftop Suite.
Image credit: Glue Hotel
The Standard Double (S$56/night) is perfect for those looking for a simple cosy room with a TV, fridge, safe, and mini-bar. For something a little more IG-worthy, check out their Rooftop Suite (S$241/night), which comes complete with a beam projector and rooftop terrace.
Image credit: Glue Hotel
Book a stay at Glue Hotel.
Rates: From S$56/night for a Standard Double
Address: 228 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-2024-8400 | Glue Hotel website
Image credit: @beckyl02
Say annyeong, or perhaps bonjour to L’Escape Hotel. If you’re looking for a unique stay for your next visit, this offbeat pick is sure to fit the bill. Perfect for couples, L’Escape has vintage decor adorning its romantic Parisian-themed interior.
Atelier Suite King.
Image credit: @sailor_moonsh
Facilities include a gym and European-style library that both tie in with the overall hotel theme. 9 types of rooms are available here, including pet-friendly ones if you’re travelling with your furbaby. For couples, the opulent interior and standalone tub of the Atelier Suite King (S$244/night) is bound to woo your boo.
The hotel also has 3 restaurants and a Starbucks Reserve if your flight has left you too tired to head out for dinner.
Book a stay at L’Escape Hotel Myeongdong Seoul.
Rates: From S$180/night for Classic Deluxe King
Address: 67 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-317-4000 | L’Escape Hotel Myeongdong Seoul website
Image credit: Patio7 Hotel
Patio7 Hotel entices all budget-travellers with affordable basic rooms from S$93/night but if you’re willing to top up, they’ve got uber-cute rooms waiting. Among 9 room types is their Patio Suites (S$264/night), with high ceilings and a rustic farmhouse-like aesthetic.
Image credit: @patio7__hotel
Serial vacationers – if normal bathtubs are too passe for you, try their Hinokki Studio (S$188/night), with a wooden Japanese-style bath, perfect for soaking in during the winter months.
The hotel lounge.
Image adapted from: Patio7
Facilities and services include a rooftop pool and a self-check-in system. Relax in their lounge and enjoy free snacks, tea, and VOD – that means Videos on Demand, not vodka, in case you were wondering.
Book a stay at Patio7 Hotel.
Rates: From S$93/night for the Standard King Room
Address: 736 Nonhyeon-ro, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-517-8833 | Patio7 Hotel website
Lounge area.
Image credit: @moxyseoul
Think punk rock + pink and Avril Lavigne may come to mind. Channelling the same energy is Moxy Seoul Insadong, with an eye-catching neon-pink aesthetic. Located in downtown Seoul, this hotel offers hot pink decor that continues from its lounge, up to its hipster rooftop bar.
Family Room for 4.
Image credit: Moxy Seoul
Perfect for groups are their Corner Family Rooms from S$216/night, or just S$54/person. Board games like Jenga and Blockus are available for rent as well, for game nights.
Image credit: @moxyseoul
The hotel is also near the famous Bukchon Hanok village, which is home to traditional (and photoworthy) houses from the Joseon dynasty.
Book a stay at Moxy Seoul Insadong.
Rates: From S$117/night for a Standard Double Room.
Address: 37 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-758-1700 | Moxy Seoul Insadong website
Image credit: Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park
For a change of scenery, Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park overlooks a nearby picturesque park. Exhibition halls, flower gardens, and playgrounds will be but a stone’s throw away. A short bus or train ride away lies many more parks including Goyang Ecological Park and Gaehwasan Mountain Park.
Park Suite – S$261/night.
Image credit: Courtyard by Marriott
There are a couple of perks of staying near the edge of the city – for one, the rooms are bigger and there’s a lower chance of you rubbing shoulders with other tourists. You’ll be a short walking distance away from Magok Naru Metro Station so getting around won’t be a problem either.
Park Suite’s spacious bathroom with a standalone tub.
Image credit: @glennbrad
Book a stay at Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park.
Rates: From S$178/night for the Botanic Two Double Room
Address: 10 Magokjungang 12-Ro Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-6946-7000 | Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Botanic Park website
Image credit: @seoa.jj
Living up to the standards of Lotte World Theme Park and those delicious Lotte snacks is Lotte Hotel Seoul Executive Tower. Not to be confused with Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong, this hotel opened slightly before the pandemic, and has quickly risen to be one of the “finest luxury hotels” in the city – so say reviews. While the very name may first bring to mind a “typical” business hotel, the 1,015-room 5-Star is anything but.
Enjoy high-tea at the in-house restaurant facing a waterfall.
Image credit: @jazzyhyemii
Book a session at their Golf Driving Range, accessible to guests and members only.
Image credit: Lotte Hotels
It’s located right in the heart of Seoul, near Myeongdong, and has rooms overlooking Namsan. To top it all off, its chock-full of unique amenities like a yacht-inspired indoor swimming pool that offers a warm dip year-round, a sauna and even a golf driving range.
Deluxe Room.
Image credit: Lotte Hotel
You’ll be spoiled for choice with each room available in multiple different designs. The spacious Deluxe Room (S$304/night), for example, has 3 interior styles to choose from.
The famous Myeongdong shopping street is also within walking distance of this hotel, and if you’re into history, Myeongdong Cathedral, a historical landmark in South Korea, is nearby as well.
Rates: From S$250/night for a Superior Twin Room
Address: 30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-771-1000 | Lotte Hotel Seoul Executive Tower website
While we often focus on the attractions, getting the right accommodation can either make or break the trip too. Get yourself one of the above popular hotels in Seoul to call home while you’re on your next trip to Seoul. You don’t have to pay through your nose for something pretty either – these have rooms reasonably priced, even if they’re right in central Seoul.
Whether you’re looking for budget hotels or something more high-end, there are many such hotels in Seoul with public transport nearby that are well-connected to the subway station lines for easy travelling anywhere.
For more things to do that are Seoul good:
A portion of this content may contain referral links to products. However, all opinions are ours.
Cover image adapted from: Patio7 Hotel, Glue Hotel, Hotel in 9 Gangnam, Hotel in 9
Original article published on 17th October 2022. Last updated by Andrew Hoon on 22nd February 2023.
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