The 12 Best Hotels in Gangnam, Seoul

Why Stay in Gangnam

As someone who visits Seoul often, I always stay in Gangnam.

It’s Seoul’s modern section south of the river and I like staying here because it’s well-connected by public transport and easily accessible to Seoul’s best beauty treatments and shopping.

For me – Seoul is a chance to stock up on K-beauty, do some skincare treatments and shop till I drop.

Staying in Gangnam makes all of that super convenient.

And the hotels in Gangnam are much more modern and luxurious than the rest of Seoul, but at very reasonable prices.

You can read my guide to Seoul's top beauty experiences here and my 1-week Seoul glow-up itinerary here.

Short on Time? Here's the TLDR

Accommodation: Everyone recommends Myeongdong but it's the Times Square of Seoul and I didn't love it. Instead, I prefer Gangnam as I travel to Seoul primarily for food, skincare and shopping. I recommend UH Suites for groups/families, the Intercontinental for a girl's trip and GLAD Coex for modern, clean but budget friendly.

Or for something unique, book a hanok stay (one of Korea's traditional wooden houses).

Getting In: Fly into Seoul and take the AREX train from ICN airport to Seoul station, then hop on the subway to Gangnam.

Getting Around: Public transport in Seoul is easy to navigate, just get a T-money card. Taxis are also cheap and easier if you're traveling as a group, as Seoul is quite hilly. Make sure to get an eSim for Wifi – you'll need it for Naver (the Korean version of Google Maps), Uber and to confirm all your appointments.

Best Seoul Experiences

Makeup class with a pro makeup artist
Korean Body Scrub (1:1, in a private room)
Hanbok Rental + Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour with a Photoshoot
18-step Korean scalp spa treatment

all of Seoul's best kBBQ restaurants are in Gangnam! on my next trip to Seoul, I want to try this meat market experience where you learn about hanwoo, choose your own cut and grill it kbbq style.

Best Hotels in Gangnam

I like to check out a new hotel each time I visit Korea, so I’ve stayed at a number of these!

Many of Seoul’s Gangnam hotels are part of international chains, like Marriott, IHG or Hyatt and cater to business travelers.

I find that they tend to have more helpful staff, more on-site amenities and larger, more modern rooms compared to hotels in Myeongdong.

And, most hotels in Gangnam are clustered around subway stations, making it very easy to hop on Seoul’s metro line and easily explore other neighborhoods.

Just get a T-money card and an esim for WiFi so you can take the train, bus or Uber around!

Hotel	Gangnam Neighborhood	Best For	Pricing
Andaz Seoul Gangnam	Apgujeong	Sightseeing	$$$
Voco Seoul Gangnam	Sinsa	Beauty clinics	$$
Four Points by Sheraton	Sinsa	Value	$$
Ananti at Gangnam	Nonhyeon-dong	Design Hotel, Groups	$$$
Aiden by Best Western	Cheongdam	Beauty clinics	$$
L7 Gangnam	COEX	Budget	$
GLAD Gangnam Coex	COEX	Value	$$
Grand Intercontinental Parnas	COEX	Modern Luxury	$$$
Park Hyatt Seoul	COEX	Modern Luxury	$$$$
Shilla Stay Gangnam	Yeoksam	Value	$$
Josun Palace	Yeoksam	Luxury	$$$$
UH Suite The Gangnam	Yeoksam	Groups, Families	$$

I dive deeper into each hotel recommendations below!

Note: If it’s your first visit to Seoul and you primarily want to hit up all Seoul’s cultural attractions, then Gangnam might not be for you. I wrote more about Seoul’s neighborhoods and where first time visitors should stay in this post.

Andaz Seoul Gangnam

Hyatt members often stay at this luxury Gangnam hotel. Rates are reasonable and the hotel is directly connected to Apgujeong subway station, so it’s a convenient location.

You can literally take the elevator directly to the underground!

The rooms are designed to be a fun, modern take on traditional Korean wrapping cloths (bojagi), and while I didn’t innately get that vibe from the interiors, I did like the modern bathrooms and extra living room seating.

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

There’s a fitness center and pool on site, as well as a restaurant.

And, I like the dedication to the small touches here. The in-room tea is from Osulloc, one of Korea’s top tea brands, and the perfect drink to pair with your late night dessert.

Globalist members can get free breakfast, drinks and snack coupons too!

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas

The Grand Intercontinental Parnas is a beautiful hotel located right on top of Samseong subway station, in the southeast section of Gangnam called Coex.

Rooms here are serene, modern and beautiful, with jaw dropping views of Seoul and luxe Byredo amenities.

The pillows are comfy and the shower has fantastic water pressure.

I point this out because for some reason, hotel pillows in Seoul are often really small and flat. Elevators come fast (a surprising rarity in Seoul hotels) and everything is very well executed.

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

The airport shuttle stops right outside the front door, and the subway is literally steps from the lobby, making it an incredibly convenient home base.

For rainy days or times where you don’t want to head far for food, the Grand Intercontinental is connected to both Parnas Mall and Coex Mall.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

voco Seoul Gangnam

Couples and solo travelers should check out this hotel in Gangnam.

Rooms are really spacious, with full soaking tubs and modern, trendy rooms.

I like that there’s a whole seating area and plenty of space, which isn’t always the case with hotels in Asia (where real estate is precious). And, a nice feature is that each floor has a full community kitchen, so you can cook, store food or get ice.

voco Seoul is part of IHG hotels and rates are very reasonable for the quality and location. It’s in Sinsa, right in the heart of Gangnam and just steps from Garosugil.

All of the big plastic surgery, skin clinics and hair salons are in this part of town, along with trendy brunch restaurants and designer shopping, so this location is excellent.

There’s also two Olive Young stores within a 5 minute walk!

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

GLAD Gangnam COEX

Glad Gangnam is located in the COEX area, right atop Samseong subway station.

This 3 star hotel is modern, clean and comfortable and very affordably priced for the quality.

I stayed here for a week in the winter, and found it a really helpful base – the bus stop is around the corner and the subway entrance is literally steps from the lobby.

There aren’t any on-site dining options, but I mostly like to eat out in Seoul so I didn’t mind. There is a small coffee stand on the first floor for those who need java first thing, as well as coin laundry on site.

I also found a couple cafes nearby that I liked and luckily opened early for the office crowd.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

UH Suite the Gangnam

UH Suite is a really unique hotel in Seoul, with locations throughout the city.

Their newest hotel just opened in Gangnam, and features really spacious apartment style rooms and suites. I love that they offer two bedrooms, full kitchens and dining rooms – and prices are very reasonable.

The show stopper is that all their rooms have these massive jacuzzi tubs.

This is a great hotel for groups and families.

It can be hard finding a hotel in Seoul that comfortably fits 4 in one room (most hotels offer just double or king bed setups), and UH Suite is a beautiful exception.

Note: UH Suite has two locations in Gangnam, one a bit more central and one by COEX. The Gangnam location is newer, with larger rooms and a bit more central – therefore slightly pricier.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

Park Hyatt Seoul

For a luxury stay in Seoul, stay at the Park Hyatt. It’s 5 stars, has incredible views over the city and 3 onsite restaurants.

Rooms are really spacious (quite rare for Asia), and dressed in sleek, modern wood paneling. The vibe is very understated Japandi-style luxury.

The Park Hyatt is located in COEX, near the mall and right outside Samseong metro. It’s directly diagonal to the Grand Intercontinental and next door to Glad Gangnam, part of the cluster of hotels that sit atop Samseong station.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

Shilla Stay Yeoksam

This clean, comfortable hotel is my 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

Josun Palace

Josun Palace is one of Seoul’s long standing luxury hotels, dating back over a century.

Rooms have been renovated in muted, simple colors (with a slight Art Deco vibe) and the main showstopper is the floor to ceiling view of Seoul’s skyline.

Josun Palace is part of the Marriott umbrella and located in Gangnam’s southern business district, near Seolleung station.

There’s a of couple of onsite restaurants and indoor pool.

It’s within walking distance to several malls (Starfield COEX, Parnas, the Hyundai, Lotte Department Store) and lots of traditional restaurants that cater to salarymen after work.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

L7 Gangnam

L7 is a budget chain, with locations all over Seoul.

Their Gangnam location has modern rooms, styled simply with clean lines and bold patterns. This property is located by Seolleung Station, in the southern section of Gangnam.

Rates are really affordable so it’s good for solo travelers or anyone on a budget.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

Four Points by Sheraton, Gangnam

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 located in Apgujeong, right near the Han river and one of the more centrally located sections of Gangnam with lots of great eating and shopping all in walking distance.

The Four Points Sheraton is a typical business traveler hotel. While it won't win design awards, it has all the essentials plus fast Wifi and flat screen TVs.

Rooms are 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 and pharmacies.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

Ananti at Gangnam

This unique hotel is one of the newer hotel options in Gangnam.

It’s known for its beautiful interiors – you may have seen it already on Instagram.

The rooms are huge, with double height loft-style sleeping alcoves and beautiful stone bathrooms. The on-site pool is also a work of art, with bold brick arches.

And the fitness center even has pilates equipment!

I’d say this hotel is great for families, groups, couples or anyone who wants more of a staycation vibe.

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

Read reviews: TripAdvisor

Aiden by Best Western

Cheongdam ís the fancy, upscale section of Seoul, with all the top skin clinics, hair salons and designer shopping.

Plus, there's 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 basic, but 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

Seoul Travel Vlog

Korea Travel Checklist

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

Hotels | Seoul is a large city, roughly divided in two by the Han river. I recommend staying North in Myeongdong if you primarily want to sightsee and South of the river in Gangnam if your priority is shopping & skincare. Book in advance for the best rates, especially if 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. An e-sim is invaluable to stay connected, translate menus, hail taxis and confirm appointments. Jetpac offers affordable esim packages as low as $1/ day.

Insurance | Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized or your phone gets stolen, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Travel insurance has also been the fastest to reimburse me for lost bags. Get a quote for your trip here.