Where to Stay in Seoul as a First Time Visitor

Where to Stay in Seoul

I just got back from my annual visit to Korea and as usual, had so much fun!

In today’s post I wanted to share a quick guide to where to stay in Seoul, for tourists and first time visitors.

Seoul is roughly divided into north and south by the Han river, which flows west across the city.

North vs South Seoul

Generally, the North is more traditional and cultural, with Seoul’s historic attractions, palaces and traditional markets.

This part of town is generally less expensive, and filled with Seoul’s older charm.

It’s great if you love culture and history, are more budget conscious, want to see Seoul’s traditional markets or explore the city’s nightlife.

South of the Han river are Seoul’s more modern, affluent and business focused districts.

Most famously, here you’ll find Gangnam, with its high end shopping, plastic surgery clinics on every block and skyscrapers filled with office workers.

This part of town is newer, flashier and pricier, with all of Seoul’s best shopping, kbbq restaurants and beauty offerings.

Which is Better?

Typically, you’ll traverse the river and spend time across both sections of Seoul, exploring cultural sights in the North and the modern districts in the South.

So you can’t go wrong staying in either part of town!

The most important thing, in my opinion, is picking a hotel close to a subway station exit, for ease of transportation, and staying somewhere clean and comfortable.

North of the River (Gangbuk)

Vibe: More traditional, historical and bustling. Great for families, budget conscious travelers or those visiting for a short trip.

Attractions: Gyeongbokgung palace, Changdeokgung palace, Bukchon Hanok Village

Neighborhoods: Myeongdong, Jongno, Dongdaemun, Hongdae, Itaewon

Recommended Hotels

South of the River (Gangnam)

Vibe: More modern, upscale, affluent. Great for business travelers, girls’ trips or anyone focused on shopping, chic restaurants and skincare / beauty treatments

Attractions: Lotte World, Coex Mall

Neighborhoods: Gangnam (Apgujeong, Sinsa, Cheongdam)

Recommended Hotels:

Best Hotels in Seoul

Below are my recommendations for where to stay in Seoul. I’ve either stayed at the hotels below, had friends/ family stay or been recommended these by locals.

Hotel	Neighborhood	Best For	Pricing
Aloft Seoul Myeongdong	Myeongdong	Sightseeing	Mid Range
Four Points by Sheraton Josun	Myeongdong	Sightseeing	Mid Range
UH Suite The Myeongdong	Myeongdong	Groups, Families	Mid Range
Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro	Myeongdong	Affordability	Budget
Nine Tree Insadong	Jogno	Value	Mid Range
Four Seasons Seoul	Gwanghwamun	Couples, Families	Luxury
The Plaza Seoul	Jung	Families	Mid Range
Pentaz Hotel	Seongsu	Families	Mid Range
Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador	Mapo	Modern Luxury	Luxury
Andaz Seoul Gangnam	Gangnam	Sightseeing	Luxury
GLAD Gangnam Coex	Gangnam	Value	Mid Range
Grand Intercontinental Seoul	Gangnam	Modern Luxury	Luxury
Shilla Stay Yeoksam	Gangnam	Value	Mid Range
Four Points by Sheraton	Gangnam	Value	Mid Range
L7 Gangnam	Gangnam	Affordability	Budget
Aiden by Best Western	Gangnam	Beauty clinics	Budget
Voco Seoul Gangnam	Gangnam	Beauty clinics	Budget

I dive deeper into each hotel recommendations below!

Getting from the airport

For a smooth arrival, book a private transfer from the airport. It’s affordable, fast and takes you door to door for the most hassle-free option.

If you traveling with 2+ people, I find a private transfer the easiest and most convenient.

Alternatively, you can also take public transportation.

The AREX subway train drops you off at Seoul station, where you’ll then connect to the subway or you can take a local bus but you’ll need to find the right bus number to take you to your hotel.

Seoul’s transportation card (called T-money) needs to be bought at convenience stores (not in the underground train).

It can only be reloaded with cash, so I find it easiest to pre-book my airport transfer ahead of time.

Getting Around Seoul

Seoul is smaller in size than NYC but much more densely packed, with about double the population.

It can feel very crowded to a foreigner, especially if it’s your first time visiting Asia.

I’m always amazed by the skyscrapers in East Asia – it makes the city feel so much bigger to me. Then you pull up Google Maps and walk and everything is so close together, ha.

Seoul is well connected by both buses and the underground subway. I’ve used both extensively, and they’re efficient, cheap and easy to navigate.

Uber also works in Seoul. And it’s so much cheaper!

Every time I go to Asia, it makes NYC feel like a ripoff ha.

Note: I recommend getting an eSim for Seoul.

It’s very inexpensive and invaluable in a city like Seoul, where you’ll want to use Google Translate / Papago, Naver Maps or Kakao Maps to get around.

I used Jetpac, which has plans as low as $1 a day and both single country and regional eSims.

For one trip where I went to both Japan and Korea, it was really convenient to be able to use the same eSIM for 2+ weeks. They also sell unlimited data plans for really cheap rates.

I like how their app shows you a running current balance of your data usage. Speeds were quick and I never had issues with data running out prematurely.

Check pricing for your trip dates here.

I do not recommend Nomad – their esim was a scam and complete rip-off.

Tips for Choosing Accommodation in Seoul

I highly recommend booking a hotel close to a major subway exit.

Subways in Seoul are massive, and they’ll have numbered exits that can extend several blocks farther from the stop itself.

It’s common to walk 15,000 – 20,000 steps a day exploring the city and the last thing you’ll want to do is walk another 10+ minutes from the subway just to get back to your hotel room.

Seoul is also quite hilly!

All of my hotel recommendations below are conveniently located near major subway stops and exits.

Jet lag is also no joke.

I think it’s best to book nice accommodation during your trip to Seoul, especially if you’ll be getting any beauty procedures done.

The good thing is hotels in Korea are generally both much nicer and much cheaper than in the US.

A 3 star hotel in Seoul is much nicer compared to a 3 star hotel in America and will typically run around $100-250 / night, depending on the time of year.

If you’ve ever wanted to splurge on a 5 star hotel, do it in Asia!

Fancy hotels like the Four Seasons have incredible service and are comparatively much more affordable than they would be in Europe or the States.

You can often find good ‘deals’ on 5 star hotels for $300-500 / night.

I’m still salty about the time I went to Asheville, North Carolina and $300 a night for a motel 😭🙄

For something unique, stay in a hanok or traditional Korean house.

Some hanoks will be very traditional, with an exterior bathroom and floor bedding.

Others will have been renovated so that the outside looks historic, but the interior is all modern and luxurious, with indoor plumbing and western style beds.

There’s nothing more immersive and unique than staying in a Korean Hanok and having a traditional breakfast first thing in the morning!

I have a full list of the best Hanok stays in Seoul here.

Best Hotels in Seoul

Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Insadong

Neighborhood: Jongno

This relaxing 4-star hotel is right on Insadong, one of Seoul’s popular shopping streets.

It’s a 5 minute walk from the subway and right near Seoul’s historic center, with Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok village just 15 minutes by train.

Rooms are a great value for the price, with flat screen TVs, mini fridges and family-room options.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Andaz Seoul Gangnam

Neighborhood: Apgujeong

Hyatt members will love the Andaz at Apguejeong.

It’s located right above the metro line and near the Han river, making it incredible convenient to access both North and South sections of Seoul. You can literally take the elevator directly to the underground!

The service is always outstanding and the staff have great recommendations for restaurants and clinics nearby.

Rooms are quite spacious and luxurious, with separate bathrooms and even complimentary shoe shines.

The complimentary coffee and tea is quite nice (Ossulac), perfect for pairing with your late night dessert. My favorite thing to do in Seoul is get a to-go pastry from cafes and wind down the day with a sweet treat and some hot tea.

Globalist members can get free breakfast, drinks and snack coupons too! There’s a sauna on site and lots of comfortable in-room amenities.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Aloft Seoul Myeongdong

Neighborhood: Myeongdong

The Aloft is one of the most popular hotels in Myeondong, thanks to its excellent location near the airport bus stop, the center of the Myeongdong’s shopping streets and the abundance of bus + metro lines nearby.

Rooms are standard, clean and comfortable. There’s also free flowing coffee and popcorn and friendly, hospitable staff. If you want to be in the heart of Myeondong, this is the hotel to stay at.

Nearby within walking distance are Shinsegae and Lotte department stores as well as Nandaemun market. Make sure to try the japchae hotteok from the street vendor by gate 2!

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Myeongdong

Neighborhood: Myeongdong

Myeongdong is often the recommended neighborhood for first time visitors to Seoul.

It’s right in the center of the city, has tons of food, shopping and sights and the transportation options (both buses and subway) are SO convenient.

But, Myeondong is also the ‘Times Square’ of Seoul – incredibly touristy, loud and crowded.

So to benefit from the convenience of Myeongdong but be just a little removed from the chaos, I recommend staying at the Four Points Josun.

It’s a short walk from Myeongdong’s central street but still close to the subway (right outside exit 12 of line Euljiro-3). The airport bus stops literally outside the hotel!

Rooms are on the older side, and therefore cozy and compact, but clean.

I’d recommend getting a premier room as those are 3x bigger than the standard rooms and have excellent views of the city.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro

Neighborhood: Myeongdong

For another convenient and affordable stay in Myeongdong, check out the Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro.

It’s a block away from the Four Points Josun, and also right next to Euljiro-3 metro station. There are 2 conveinence stores flanking the hotel, which we liberally used for late night ramen and matcha ice cream runs.

The airport bus stop is less than a 5 minute walk away and there’s tons of restaurants, bars and cafes nearby.

I especially liked Cafe Hanyakbang – open early, beautifully decorated with Korean lacquerware and great filter coffee options plus a connected bakery and dessert shop.

I stayed here on a spring trip to Seoul and in my opinion, it’s great for budget or solo travelers.

I felt the rooms could be cleaner and needed some modernization, and elevators were quite slow. I also found the front desk staff a bit unfriendly..

But you can’t beat the location, convenience and price! Rooms are well under $100 a night!

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

UH Suite The Myeongdong

Neighborhood: Myeongdong

It can be hard to find hotel rooms in Seoul that are large enough for families or groups.

Enter UH Suite.

They’re known for super spacious, large rooms that fit 2 double beds – so perfect for groups of 4+ travelers. They also have larger suites and connecting rooms for multiple families traveling together.

All the decor is modern and minimalist – think earthy neutral stones.

And what makes them special is each room has a jacuzzi style bath right in the room!

Plus, there’s room for a dining table to sit and hang out. And best of all, the rates are pretty affordable considering the space and prime location.

They also have a UH Suite property in Gangnam.

Check rates: Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Four Seasons Seoul

Neighborhood: Gwanghwamun

For somewhere truly luxurious, stay at the Four Seasons in Seoul’s vibrant Gwanghwamun district.

This gorgeous all glass skyscraper has bright, stylish rooms with floor to ceiling windows, flat screen TVs and espresso machines. Suites have an additional separate living room and spectacular views over the city.

There’s multiple restaurants and bars on site, including a Tokyo style sushi bar, Cantonese cuisine and upscale Italian, plus 3 indoor pools, a gym, spa and complimentary valet parking.

The location is really convenient – just 2 minutes walk from the subway and right in the middle of 3 of my most-visited neighborhoods in Seoul.

You have two of Seoul’s most famous palaces nearby, Myeongdong is a 15 minute bus ride and Seoul’s most popular bakeries, cafes and shopping all conveniently in the area.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

GLAD Gangnam COEX

Neighborhood: Gangnam

I stayed at GLAD on a winter beauty trip to Seoul and the location was excellent. It’s located right by Coex Mall just outside exit 1 of Samsung metro station.

The airport bus drops you off around the block, and nearby you have everything from cozy homestyle Korean restaurants to fine dining bbq, plus three malls (Coex, Parnas and the Hyundai). There’s a coffee shop right in the lobby and plenty of great cafes nearby.

Rooms are compact so great for solo travelers or couples. The shower had great water pressure, my room was meticulously cleaned every day and rates are quite affordable!

The hotel staff was also very helpful. I somehow sliced my hand open on my walk over and at check in, the front desk immediately noticed, brought out a first aid kit and helped me clean and bandage it up!

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas

Neighborhood: Gangnam

For all the convenience of Glad, but at a more luxurious price point, stay at the Grand Intercontinental.

Rooms here are beautiful, with Byredo amenities, comfy pillows and fantastic water pressure. Elevators come fast (a surprising rarity in Seoul hotels) and everything is luxurious and comfortable.

Amex members get access the lounge and don’t skip the morning breakfast – the spread of options is phenomenal. They’ll also make your coffee by hand!

The Intercontinental is the most convenient hotel to stay at by Coex Mall, as it’s directly connected to the mall and right next to the luxurious Hyundai Mall.

Subway station exit 5 is right outside the lobby and there’s a bus stop right in front. The airpot bus to Incheon also drops off and picks up right outside the Intercontinental.

In busy, densely populated cities like Tokyo and Seoul, it can sometimes take 10 minutes just to cross the street (waiting for the light) so sometimes, staying on the ‘right’ side of the street can make a difference!

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

The Plaza Seoul

Neighborhood: Jung

This sleek hotel has modern contemporary rooms, beautiful views and very comfortable beds. Rooms are small but space efficient, with big bathrooms.

The Plaza is located right in the heart of the city – you can’t beat the location.

It’s within walking distance to a lot of Seoul’s cultural sights and shopping areas and it’s connected to City Hall station, which has 2 important subway lines that’ll take you practically anywhere you’d want to go.

If you’re a Marriott Convoy Titanium member, you can often get a suite upgrade.

Or, book a club room for access to the lounge, free breakfast, snacks and drinks. There’s an indoor pool, spa and gym and 4 restaurants on site to choose from, plus a handy bakery and moody cocktail lounge.

There’s also lots of tall buildings nearby full of restaurants and cafes.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Pentaz hotel

Neighborhood: Seongsu

This 5 star hotel is just 2 blocks from the subway in Seongsu, with large spacious condo-sized rooms.

Stay here if you want space (something Seoul hotels are not known for). All the rooms are modern, with huge windows, sitting areas and kitchenettes.

This would be great for families, as their Family Suites can sleep up to 5 and have a separate living room with full kitchens.

There’s also an awesome sauna on site, an outdoor pool and free parking.

Seongsu is the latest popular neighborhood in Seoul – great for shopping and known for it’s fun pop-ups.

There’s lots of excellent cafes, trendy restaurants and Seoul Forest – a reeky beautiful park with lots of walking trails and a butterfly house.

Check rates: Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery Ambassador

Neighborhood: Mapo

If you’re looking for something beautiful and luxurious, stay at Hotel Naru.

It’s designed like a modern art gallery, with serene, stylish decor and beautiful rooms that have absolutely stunning views of the Han river and Seoul skyline.

The staff are warm and helpful, and the hotel is eco friendly.

There’s a beautiful rooftop pool, on site restaurant, and coffee shop. A short walk away is the Maps subway station and a nearby bus stop.

This is the perfect place to relax after a full day of sightseeing. Everything here is classy and polished without feeling stuffy or pretentious.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Shilla Stay Yeoksam

Neighborhood: Gangnam

This clean, comfortable hotel is a budget friendly pick in the heart of Gangnam.

It’s well located near the metro, with lots of cafes, restaurants and convenience stores in the area. Lots of my favorite skin clinics are nearby, making this a great location for a beauty trip to Seoul.

The bus stops right outside the hotel, and it’s a short 10 minute walk from Seollung station.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Four Points by Sheraton, Gangnam

Neighborhood: Apgujeong

If you want to be in the heart of Gangnam’s beauty district, with all the best shopping, cafes and restaurants nearby, stay at the Four Points Sheraton.

It’s a business traveler hotel with fast Wifi and flat screen TVs. Rooms are quite comfortable, with tall ceilings, railhead showers and clean, comfy beds.

There’s convenience stores right on the block, and nearby are some of Gangnam’s most popular hair salons, beauty clinics, shopping stores and cafes.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

L7 Gangnam

Neighborhood: Gangnam

For a quieter stay in Gangnam, stay at this affordable property from Lotte.

The location is excellent – just a 5 minute walk from Seolleung station and the airport limo bus stops 40 meters from the entrance.

Rooms are cozy, so this is best for solo travelers or couples. The bathrooms are spacious, with good water pressure, and everything is very clean and new.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Aiden by Best Western

Neighborhood: Cheongdam

Cheongdam ís the fancy, upscale section of Seoul, with all the top skin clinics, hair salons and designer shopping, plus lots of great cafes, boutiques and restaurants.

If you want to be in the heart of the Gangnam’s glamorous section, but save a bit on accommodation, stay at the Aiden by Best Western.

Rooms are clean and comfortable and the hotel is fairly new so everything is quite modern. Request a higher floor if you’re sensitive to noise, as it’s right on the main road.

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Voco Seoul Gangnam

Neighborhood: Cheongdam

Another budget friendly recommendation for Gangnam, the Voco Seoul is a lovely hotel right on Gangnam road (just a couple blocks west of the Aiden by Best Western).

It has spacious rooms, rain shower bathrooms and calm, sophisticated decor – I’m honetly shocked at what you get for the price.

voco Seoul is in a prime location in Sinsa, right near all the major plastic surgery and skin clinics, so it’s a great choice for post-surgery recovery.

There’s also two Olive Young stores within a 5 minute walk where you can stock up on pumpkin juice (for swelling) or fill up your beauty cabinet.

Each floor has a full community kitchen, so you can cook, store food or get ice.

The breakfast buffet is also a pleasant surprise – diverse, beautifully presented and quite delicious!

Check rates: Booking.com, Hotels.com & Agoda

Read reviews: Tripadvisor

Seoul Travel Vlog

Visiting Korea – Travel Checklist

Flights | Direct flights from NYC to Seoul can be limited, but I like budget Korean airline Air Premia. I also recommend taking direct flights to Japan (more flight options), then making a short stopover tip to Seoul. Check here for flight deals here and set an alert for your dates.

Hotels | Seoul is a large city, with lots of great neighborhoods for sightseeing, shopping and activities. I recommend staying North of the Han River in Myeongdong if you primarily want to sightsee and South of the river in Gangnam if your priority is skincare, shopping or beauty treatments.

Check here for deals on Seoul hotels and definitely book in advance if you’re traveling in the spring or fall.

E-Sim | Download a couple Korea-specific apps before your trip, like Naver Maps and Kakao Talk as Google Maps isn’t really up to date in Seoul. I highly recommend getting an e-sim so you can stay connected, translate menus & signs and hail a taxi. Jetpac offers affordable esims with daily packages as low as $1/ day.

Insurance | Lastly, be sure to visit Korea with travel insurance.

Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, your phone gets stolen, or a flight delay leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back, travel insurance will help when you need it most.

Flight delays and lost baggage happen frequently and are always a pain, especially if you don’t have insurance to get quickly reimbursed! Get a quote for your trip here.

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Where to Stay in Seoul (tips for first time visitors)

10 of the Best Hanok Stays in Seoul

The Best Hotels in Gangnam

Seoul in Style: The Perfect 5 Day Girl's Trip Itinerary

How to Plan the Ultimate Korea Glowup Beauty Trip

A 7-Day Beauty Focused Seoul Itinerary (jam packed!)

How to Get Around Seoul using Public Transportation

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