Seoul, Korea is one of the biggest city in the world in terms of size. So if you choose the wrong town to stay you will spend more time stuck in traffic than enjoying the city. So today I want to give you in details where to stay that is right for your travel style and the hotels I recommend.
Best Area to Stay in Seoul, Korea (Which Town Is Foreigner Friendly)?
There are four major towns for travelers to stay.
- Itaewon
- Hong Dae
- Shinsa Dong
- Myeongdong
One thing you need to remember is that Korea is still not on the level of Thailand type of tourism. So if you go to a town that is not foreigner friendly, you will really struggle. So I recommend staying in one of these towns for your own peace and love.
Itaewon
Itaewon is the most foreign friendly and tourist friendly town. The town was built around the U.S. military, so the town is very opening and welcoming. Most of the restaurants you go will speak good English.
Also, they have few of the famous and popular hotels like Grand Hyatt, Shila Hotel and Banyan Tree hotel. I will explain more below.
Who Is It For?
Itaewon is for general travelers. I usually stay in this neighborhood if I visit Korea. Usually the nights are always busy (and crazy on the weekends), and there are diverse food if you need food other than Korean.
The location is perfect for travelers who booked a tour because the pick up will usually happen either in Myeongdong or Itaewon.
Where Should I Stay in Itaewon (and Where Did I Stay in Itaewon)?
- Hamilton Hotel: Recently renovated. Close to the station, restaurants and bars
- IP Boutique Hotel: close to the station, restaurants and bars. slightly cheaper than Hamilton Hotel, but there is a club beneath the hotel
- Grand Hyatt Hotel: My personal favorite hotel in Itaewon. Amazing View of Seoul. 5 – 10 minute walk to Itaewon station (If you don’t like walking hills and taking taxi. Not the best choice).
- Shilla Hotel: If you want a full experience of Korea, this is it. Will need a taxi to Itaewon station (about 5 minute drive)
- Banyan Tree Hotel: Another one of my favorite hotel in Itaewon. Amazing View of Seoul. Each room has an amazing jacuzzi. But you will need a taxi to Itaewon (about 5 minutes drive)
First, two of the hotels I recommend is Hamilton Hotel and IP Boutique hotel. It is not the best hotel and it is always busy at nights so it can be noisy, but it is close to Itaewon station and everywhere (restaurants and bars) is walkable.
Between those two hotels, I would choose Hamilton hotel, because it went through renovation and it is the most well know hotel in the heart of Itaewon.
Check Out the Price of Hamilton Hotel Here
Check Out the Price of IP Boutique Hotel Here
Second, which I prefer, is to choose the hotels on Namsan mountain. There are three hotels I would recommend – Grand Hyatt hotel, Banyan Tree Hotel and Shilla Hotel.
Grand Hyatt Hotel is probably my favorite hotel and where I usually stay when I visit Korea. It is still walkable to Itaewon and you can get an amazing view of Seoul (Only on request or by the room you choose). The only problem is that the standard rooms are small compared to other Grand Hyatt Hotels.
Check Out the Price of Grand Hyatt Hotel Here
By the way, if you are planning to stay at Hyatt hotels, I can give you benefits and perks that booking.com cannot give. If you are interested you can reach me through whatsapp.
-
Benefits and perks at Hyatt hotels
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (from Park King to Park Deluxe)
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
- Food & Beverage credit of KRW50,000 once during stay (approx. US $50 / no cash value if not redeemed)
- 1 Bottle of Red Wine in the Guest Room
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
BanyanTree Hotel is my second favorite hotel in Itaewon. I LOVE it because it has a beautiful jacuzzi in each room, and during summer you can rent your private pool. It is like staying in an oasis in a busy concrete jungle. But the reason it is second after Grand Hyatt is that you will need a transportation to get to Itaewon.
Check Out the Price of Banyan Tree Hotel Here
Shilla Hotel is another great choice if you looking to stay at somewhere more authentic. It is probably the only five star hotel that resembles the traditional Korean house. It is owned by one of the Samsung corporate President’s daughter :).
Check Out the Price of The Shilla hotel Here
Hong Dae
Hong Dae is a town known for drinking and partying. It is catered for the famous Hong Ik University students and young students around 18 – 30. A lot of South East Asians and East Asians come here to party because on the weekends the road is so packed you can’t even move.
Related Blog Post: Everything You Need to Know about Going to Seoul and How to Save Almost 30%
If you are coming here to party, this is the town for you. Just for the heads up, because it is a young crowd, clubs will usually have an age limit (people who were born after 1984 cannot go into clubs, which I got denied once lol).
Who Is It For?
Party Goers and Budget Travelers
Where Should I Stay in Hong Dae (and Where Did I Stay in Hong Dae)?
The best hotel in Hongdae is RYSE, Autograph collection by Marriott. If you are collecting Marriott points, I recommend staying here. Also, it is close to the main area, so you don’t have to worry about getting a taxi in the middle of the night which can be painful.
Check Out the Price of RYSE Here
I love Hong Dae but it can be overwhelming when it comes to my age. I cannot party like a 19 year old boy anymore. So I rather stay slightly outside where I can party but still go back home and have a deep sleep. Because of that I recommend Conrad hotel in YeoYi Do.
Check Out the Price of Conrad Here
It is only 10 minutes from Hongdae by taxi and it is right next to a express subway station that takes you to Gangnam in 10 minutes. Conrad hotel is the recent addition to Seoul luxury hotels. If you are interested I am able to give you the perks and benefits. You can reach me through whatsapp.
- Free Breakfast for 2
- USD 100 Hotel Credit
- Late Check Out and Early Check In
Gangnam (Shinsa-Dong)
This is the town of beauty, fashion, plastic surgery and K-pop. If you are coming to Korea for those reason, you have to stay around here.
Who Is It For?
Medical Purpose (Plastic Surgery), Shopaholics, Luxury Lifestyle people
Related Post: Top 5 Luxury hotels in Seoul, Korea you have to check it out
Where Should I Stay in Gangnam (and Where Did I Stay in Gangnam)?
There are few hotels from Park Hyatt to Le Meridian hotel, but those are more catered for business men. It is not a walking distance to where y’all want to hang out.
Related Post: Why Park Hyatt Hotel Can be Good for Travelers and My Experience at the Hotel
If I have to choose between Park Hyatt Seoul or Le Meridian hotel, I would choose Park Hyatt because they have better amenities. But there is a new hotel in town and I totally recommend you this hotel. It is called Andaz hotel (by Hyatt). It just opened a month ago.
Check Out the Price of Andaz Here
Myeongdong and near by towns
This is where the famous Myungdong is at. Myungdong is a street full of shops and restaurants. The streets are closed for just pedestrians so it’s a good place to walk around. Also, it is close to all the tourist attraction from Gyung bok goong to chung Gae river.
Who Is It For?
Tourists looking to Sight See and first time visitors to Korea.
Where Should I Stay in Myeongdong (and Where Did I Stay)?
The most famous one is obviously Lotte Hotel, but My favorite is L’Escape Hotel. L’Escape is a modern and sexy hotel that many travelers don’t know yet. It is my best kept secret hotel.
Check Out the Price of Lotte Here
I am not saying Lotte Hotel is bad, but when the hotel is humongous like Lotte hotel, it can be chaotic. L’Escape hotel really does make you feel like you can escape the business of Seoul.
Check Out the Price of L’Escape Here
