Where To Stay In Seoul: I Loved These Hotels & Neighbourhoods

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A city of 9.9 million — how do you decide where to stay in Seoul if it is your first time?

Each neighbourhood had its own personality: some steeped in history, some buzzing with nightlife, and others purely built for business. I visited the city in April during the tail end of the spring blossoms, and Seoul felt overwhelming at first.

Everyone recommends Myeongdong, but I ended up staying near Seoul Station and Bukchon Hanok Village — close enough to Myeongdong, but far quieter.

Then I spent my last few days in Hongdae. I wanted to feel the energy of both places, and I quickly realised that you need at least two bases to really understand this city. One neighbourhood alone will never give you the full picture.

Seoul doesn't have a single centre the way Paris or London does. It sprawls across the Han River and flows from one district to the next which is why using the metro station is so convenient to get around the city.

So instead of telling you where everyone stays, I'll tell you where to stay in Seoul based on what kind of trip you're actually planning.

First time in Korea? Here are the essentials:

At a Glance: Seoul’s Thriving Places To Stay

Short On Time? Here’s Where To Stay in Seoul

If you don’t have time to read, here’s my quick quide on best places to Seoul.

Best for soaking up traditional Korea: Bukchon Hanok Village
Where to stay: Rakkojae Hanok Hotel ($$$), Luxury Hanok Stay Nuri ($$), Buckchonae ($)

Best for first-timers: Myeongdong
Where to stay: Le Meridien Seoul ($$$), L’Escape Hotel ($$), Hotel Naru ($$), Mok Hostel ($), Hello Hostel ($)

Best for cultural activites and café-hopping: Insadong
Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel ($$$), Hotel Sunbee ($$), Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul ($$), Hanok Hotel DAAM Seoul ($)

Best for trendy neighbourhoods: Hongdae
Where to stay: Mercure Ambasaddor Seoul ($$), Ryse Autograph Collection ($$), Morning in Seoul ($)

Best for luxe & beauty treatments in Seoul: Gangnam
Where to stay: The Westin Seoul ($$$), Andaz Seoul by Hyatt ($$$), L7 Gangnam by Lotte ($$), Dandelion Sinsa ($)

Best for nightlife: Itaewon
Where to stay: Banyan Tree Hotel ($$$), Imperial Palace ($$), H Hostel ($)

Best for art & trendy spots: Seongsu-dong
Where to stay: Classic Penthaz ($$$), Hotel Poco Seongsu ($$)

Also read: 15 Things To Do in Seoul: Quirky Spots To Hidden Alleys

Deep Dive Into Where To Stay in Seoul

1. Best for soaking up traditional Korea: Bukchon Hanok Village

a view of the luxury hanok stay nuri (credit booking.com)

Seoul can be super overwhelming and the best thing to escape all of it is actually staying near the Bukchon Hanok Village.

You see tiled rooftops and narrow stone alleyways before the day-trippers arrive and this is why it is a nice little break if you are not interested in the busyness of Seoul’s citylife.

The problem is that is hilly. If you're coming back after midnight with heavy shopping bags, it can be a pain.

It's also quieter at night than some travellers expect, which I personally loved but might not suit everyone.

Best for: History lovers, photographers, anyone who wants calm evenings and cultural immersion
Skip if: You want to be in the thick of nightlife or hate walking uphill

Where to stay:

  • Rakkojae Hanok Hotel ($$$) — one of Seoul's most celebrated hanok stays, each room is a restored traditional house with its own courtyard

  • Luxury Hanok Stay Nuri ($$) — beautifully kept mid-range hanok with modern comforts tucked inside a traditional shell

  • Buckchonae ($) — simple and authentic, a great budget option that puts you right in the heart of the village

2. Best for first-timers: Myeongdong

shopping in myeongdong district

the gorgeous Cheonggyecheon river stream

Everyone ends up here at some point and honestly, there's a reason for that.

You are essentially a short walk from palaces, the N Seoul Tower cable car, and some of the best street food in the city. The underground metro connections alone make it worth considering as a base if this is your first Seoul trip.

But amidst all of this, it can feel overwhelming. The streets are loud, the skincare shops like Olive Young are everywhere and I saw the same people on my flight in these same places (lol!).

Best for: First-timers, short trips, travellers who prioritise location over atmosphere
Skip if: You want quiet evenings or to feel off the tourist trail

Where to stay:

  • Le Meridien Seoul ($$$) — polished and contemporary, great rooftop views and well-placed for exploring the centre

  • L’Escape Hotel ($$) — one of the most charming hotels in Myeongdong, French-inspired interiors and genuinely lovely service

  • Hotel Naru ($$) — solid mid-range with Han River views from the upper floors, good value for the location

  • Mok Hostel ($) — well-designed for a hostel, clean dorms and private rooms, popular with solo travellers

  • Hello Hostel ($) — budget-friendly and social, about as central as it gets for the price

3. Best for cultural activities and café-hopping: Insadong

cafe hopping in insadong

This is the neighbourhood I wish I'd known more about before I went. It sits right between the tourist buzz of Myeongdong and the historical depth of Bukchon which is artsy, walkable, full of independent teahouses, galleries, and little restaurants tucked down side streets.

It's not as well-connected by metro as Myeongdong and the accommodation options are more limited, but atleast it is is not overly touristy as the rest.

Best for: Culture seekers, solo travellers, anyone who wants charm without the tourist circus
Skip if: You need easy nightlife access or are travelling with young kids who need convenience

Where to stay:

  • Four Seasons Hotel ($$$) — one of the finest hotels in the entire city, impeccable service and a spa that justifies the splurge on its own

  • Hotel Sunbee ($$) — a long-standing favourite in the area, friendly staff and a great location for exploring on foot

  • Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul ($$) — modern, clean, and comfortable with easy access to both Insadong and Myeongdong

  • Hanok Hotel DAAM Seoul ($) — a rare budget hanok option, stripped back but full of atmosphere

4. Best for trendy neighbourhoods: Hongdae

in hongdae

glitzy spots in hongdae

I moved here for my last few days just to feel the buzz of it and to also do all my shopping because it is way cheaper than other spots.

Hongdae is Seoul is quite the buzzing place, there are street performers, independent music venues, cheap eats, and a nightlife scene that genuinely doesn't get started until midnight. It's younger and louder than other parts of Seoul in every possible way.

The budget accommodation here is some of the best value in the city. The trade-off is that it can feel a bit chaotic if you're not in the mood for it, and if you're a light sleeper, ask specifically for a room that doesn't face the street.

Best for: Nightlife, budget travellers, anyone who wants to feel the younger pulse of Seoul
Skip if: You're an early riser, travelling with older family members or want a peaceful base

Where to stay:

  • Ryse Autograph Collection ($$) — the coolest hotel in this part of the city, design-forward with a rooftop bar worth visiting even if you're not a guest

  • Mercure Ambasaddor Seoul ($$) — reliable and comfortable with a great central location, solid choice for a mid-range stay

  • Morning in Seoul ($) — a charming, well-reviewed guesthouse that gets the balance between social and restful just right

5. Best for luxe stays and beauty treatments: Gangnam

for more beauty treatments, check out gangnam district

Gangnam is Seoul's wealthy, modern face with glass towers, designer boutiques, and a burgeoning skincare clinics. You can also do a colour analysis here.

The beauty clinics here are world-class and if a spa day or skincare treatment is on your Seoul itinerary, being based in Gangnam would be a goo idea. You are also kind of close to Seoul City Park.

But it is still far from other main spots. It's south of the Han River, which means more commuting to the cultural and historical parts of the city than you'd have from Myeongdong or Bukchon.

Best for: Luxury travellers, wellness and beauty itineraries, business trips, return visitors
Skip if: It's your first time in Seoul and you want to maximise sightseeing without long metro rides

Where to stay:

  • The Westin Seoul ($$$) — a Seoul institution, grand and polished with one of the best breakfast spreads in the city

  • Andaz Seoul by Hyatt ($$$) — boutique-feel luxury in the heart of Gangnam, beautifully designed and excellent service

  • L7 Gangnam by Lotte ($$) — lifestyle hotel with a rooftop bar, great mid-range pick for the neighbourhood

  • Dandelion Sinsa ($) — a sweet, independently run guesthouse tucked into the Sinsa-dong area, relaxed and characterful

6. Best for nightlife: Itaewon

the night life in itaewon

This is the nighlife spot of Itaewon and als the best place to get a mix of cuisines. You will find a lot of expats hanging out here after work.

Some people may find it a bit disconnected from the Korean city. The honest answer is it depends entirely on what you want from a night out. The food scene here is exceptional like proper international dining at every price point and the nightlife is more mixed and less K-pop polished than Hongdae, which some people actively prefer.

Best for: Food obsessives, nightlife seekers, travellers who want a more international atmosphere
Skip if: You want an immersive Korean cultural experience from your base

Where to stay:

  • Banyan Tree Hotel ($$$) — perched on Namsan Hill with some of the best city views going, the spa here is the real draw

  • Imperial Palace ($$) — a long-standing neighbourhood fixture, comfortable and well-located for both Itaewon and Gangnam

  • H Hostel ($) — clean, social, and exactly what you need if you're spending most of your time out anyway

7. Best for art and trendy spots: Seongsu-dong

seongsu is great for art & trendy things

If Hongdae is Seoul's student heart, Seongsu is its creative brain. Converted factories turned into coffee roasters, concept stores you won't find anywhere else, independent galleries, and a local crowd that hasn't been diluted by mass tourism yet.

It's not the most convenient base for sightseeing but if you've done Seoul before or you care more about atmosphere than logistics, this is the neighbourhood to bet on right now.

Best for: Return visitors, design and coffee lovers
Skip if: It's your first trip and you want easy access to the main sights

Where to stay:

  • Classic Pentaz ($$$) — an upscale serviced residence with spacious rooms, ideal if you're staying several nights and want to feel properly settled

  • Hotel Poco Seongsu ($$) — a newer boutique hotel that fits the neighbourhood perfectly, great design and a genuinely relaxed vibe

Also read my South Korea posts:

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