4-Star Hotels in Seoul

Thanks to our butlers Xiaoyue and Ayu for their help during our stay. The first female receptionist at check-in had a fake smile. Even though I told her I didn't like the 14th floor, she insisted that only the room on the 14th floor could meet my request. I was exhausted from a red-eye flight, so I didn't know if it was truly the only available room (on a floor with a 4, which Koreans dislike), or for some other reason. I just didn't want to argue further and reluctantly checked in. Upon entering the room, there was a strong curry smell. I also saw a handwritten welcome letter for a foreign female guest prominently displayed on the bedside table (I'm not sure if this is for all non-Koreans or if this guest was exceptionally special). My mood instantly soured. I didn't know if the housekeeper hadn't cleaned properly or if this guest had moved rooms and they hadn't re-cleaned. I saw creases on the bedding, indicating it was newly changed. I was too tired, so I just forced myself to sleep. During the night, there were rumbling noises. The bathroom still smelled of curry, and I didn't have perfume, so I made a cup of capsule coffee to mask the smell. I still believe it's better to avoid trouble when traveling, so I stuck with the room and didn't ask for a change. The next morning, I was woken up by the strange noises again. Reluctantly, I communicated and got a room change. They offered a voucher for 2 takeaway drinks, but I didn't use it. Anyway, lately, when I go to Seoul, I always feel that their attitude towards Chinese people is much worse than before, in a subtle way. During check-in, I noticed what seemed like Hong Kong or Malaysian Chinese guests next to me who had checked into several rooms hours earlier. But for me, there were no rooms available. However, I couldn't verify if it was differential treatment or just bad luck that there were no rooms exactly when I arrived. Their rule is check-in at 3 PM, so I had to accept it. My offer to pay for early check-in was also declined. Comparing this to those who could check in early instantly dampened my mood. Aside from the hotel's service level, the location is quite good. All the front desk staff speak good English and are communicative. Jacob's English is especially excellent. There are also complimentary snacks and soda in the room. Speaking of complimentary items, there seemed to be a difference here too. The 'special guest' room the day before had two extra large cookies and two sparkling waters. Across the street, there's a BHC and a somewhat expensive but delicious soup restaurant. Exit 9 of Hongdae Line 2 has many small shops. It's not tiring to walk from the subway after finishing errands. There are many good eateries around. The airport bus 6007 to the airport even has a dedicated uncle who helps load your luggage, which is better than some other stops where only the bus driver can help with luggage, hehe. At over 1600 won a night, this hotel is not cheap for Seoul. While the hardware is what it is, the service could definitely be improved. For 800-1000 won, this hotel would be a good option. Beyond that, there are too many other alternatives. Also, don't trust the recommendations on Xiaohongshu; they're all ads. There are many great hotels in Seoul, but I won't tell you, or they'll get more expensive, ha ha ha.

The location is fantastic! Although the room was small, the layout was very efficient. I was surprised they even managed to fit a bathtub and had a separate wet/dry area in such a small space – only in Japan/Korea! The great location meant I could pop back to the hotel to drop off my shopping, which saved a lot of time. Plus, if you cut through the Olive Young store next door, you can get to the other side of the street easily. When checking out, you can use the self-service machine on the first floor, which is super quick. Cars can pull right up to the entrance in the morning and evening. At other times, you have to walk a short distance, but overall, it's very convenient – a one-stop shop for eating, shopping, and exploring!

Great location. Easy walking distance to several train stations and airport bus stop. Just a few minutes away from famous cafes and bakeries such as Artist Bakery and Onion Cafe. Hotel is located at a mall with many restaurants and a small Olive Young. Just a few minutes away from the bigger Anguk flagship Olive Young. Also walking distance to hanbok village with many nice boutiques and shops. Room is decent sized and clean too. WOWPASS machine at the lobby which is convenient for money exchange and top up. Overall a great hotel that I’d be happy to stay here again.

I want to recommend Holiday Inn Express Hongdae to everyone after my stay! ✨ 📍 Unbeatable Location: Right next to Hongik University Station, right above AK PLAZA with direct Airport Railroad access. Shopping and nightlife are literally right at your doorstep. 🛏️ Standard Two Double Beds Room: The beds are super comfortable! Just the right firmness—the kind where you can naturally sleep in. Two queen/double beds mean zero disturbance from your travel companion. 🧼 Spotless Cleanliness: The room was immaculate, the bathroom was dry, and coming back every day felt like returning to a cozy, pristine haven. Great shopping + nightlife + good sleep—definitely the top choice in Hongdae!~

Decided to come to Korea a week before National Day at the last minute, so the price was a bit high. The location is definitely in the heart of Myeongdong. There are many restaurants downstairs, making dining very convenient. They even provided face masks in the room. However, the room was really small; I don't think it was the advertised 22 square meters, so manage your expectations. Check-in was semi-self-service, which wasn't a great experience. The light and air conditioning control panel behind the bed stayed lit all night, and I'm quite sensitive to light. Also, remember to cover the small clock above the bed before sleeping, as it gets very bright at night. The photos are consistent with what other travelers have posted.

The room size was just right, not too big, not too small, and it had a balcony with a great view for watching the sunrise – absolutely stunning! I’ve uploaded pictures of the view at different times of the day for everyone’s reference. The transportation is incredibly convenient; there are several subway lines right downstairs to choose from, and as soon as you step out, there are all sorts of dining options. The mall is also right downstairs, making it super easy to buy anything you need! Most importantly, I love to run, and this hotel is very close to Cheonggyecheon Stream, which is a dream come true for running enthusiasts! It's a 5km one-way run, making it 10km round trip! Fantastic! The hotel breakfast was also a highlight; the fried chicken, noodles, and mixed salads were absolutely delicious! Plus, the front desk staff were very friendly. When we arrived, there was even a guide who spoke Chinese, which was very nice! I'll definitely choose this place again next time! Unforgettable Seoul, you brought me endless surprises!

PROs: The lovely view of Namsan Tower from our balcony. The small but efficient bathroom with good bath products, the room is overall new. The very large and well equipped gym is excellent. The 21 floor roof top is a lovely oasis with a view to Namsan Tower good for guests who do not have this view from their own room. CONs: There is no food around this location except for convenience shops and a few coffee shops, you need to walk a couple of blocks before you find decent food. The hotel is new and located next to Sewoon Plaza the old industrial complex where they filmed Vincenzo the K drama. It is a good 25 mins walk to Myeongdong. The entire area is up for teardown redevelopment so that’s why the balconies are so dusty as per previous review. In a few years, this location should be very nice but this large hotel apartments will also lose it’s view of the Namsan Tower. The aircon in the room is also placed blowing right onto the sleeping guest, the aircon system is hard to adjust correctly. The room cleaning is also a little haphazard as some days they forget to replenish coffee packs or a bottle of water, they also do not wash the plates or cups when they make up your room. Bedding is only changed every 2 days which is ok. The room is long and narrow and there is nowhere to sit but on the floor when one puts on their shoes at the room entrance. The hotel reception is forever packed with guests checking in or out so well done to their sales and marketing team who sell their rooms so well.

It’s pretty average and quite dusty but convenient enough. The room is well decorated and very smart. Location is closed to SUBWAY and buses. Its a air b&b so service is not there. I bought them many things in the room too haha very good luck for the next customers.

The room facilities are a bit old, and there are no windows that can be opened for ventilation, which makes the whole room feel stuffy. Outside the window is a road, and the room is quite small, similar in size to the most basic room type at a Home Inn in China. But the worst part is the location; it's so out of the way that getting a taxi is a real pain.

First off, this is a legitimate hotel, not a guesthouse or a self-built inn. It has all the standard hotel amenities. It's definitely a suitable place to stay. Now, regarding the location, don't trust some of the online guides. This area isn't a commercial district or where tourists would typically want to go. It's a wholesale market hub, much like Beijing's Zoo Market or Chengdu's Lotus Pond Market – places that open at night for stocking up and close during the day. Within a two-kilometer radius, there are tens of thousands of tailor shops. Of course, there are some malls that are open during the day, but they're very few, so it's not recommended for tourists to stay here. I chose this place because I was returning to China from Busan, wanted a good night's rest, and needed to go to Gimpo Airport the next day. For everyone else, it's probably best to stick to hotels near Myeongdong; having Lotte Department Store right outside is the way to go. The hotel doesn't provide toothbrushes or toothpaste; you have to buy them from a vending machine. They really don't offer them at all, unlike other hotels where they might not actively provide them but will give them to you if you ask, like a razor. The two beds are roughly the size you'd find in a student dormitory. The breakfast *looked* like it would be good, but the reality was that it ended at 10 AM, with last entry at 9:30 AM. I went around 8:40 AM, and all that was left was sliced bread, sliced baguette, and instant noodles. As for scrambled eggs, bacon fried rice, which should have been there, I didn't see any – they were gone by at least 8:30 AM, and they didn't restock at all. The small pots for dishes in my pictures were all empty. I only managed to eat four small mushrooms. The hotel description mentioned sausages and other items, but there was absolutely nothing. In the end, I had a cup of instant noodles and a glass of grape juice.