1) Hongdae: For the fashionistas and indie lovers
For a blast into your collegiate past, check out Hongdae for all things indie and fashionable. Located just minutes away from Hongik University and a short stroll away from Sinchon, Hongdae is the place to be. Select from the vast number of cafes and Korean BBQ restaurants as you eat (and drink!) your way silly into the wee hours of the night.
Home to some of the largest shopping brands, Myeongdong is the one-stop destination for all your shopping needs and wants! Look beneath the bustling streets and malls and you will find the one thing that binds everyone together here – food! With a range of internationally-branded dining options, you won’t go hungry here (especially when some restaurants don’t close until the wee hours of the morning)!
ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong
Located just a short two minutes stroll away from the Myeongdong train station, ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong is a stylish and affordable hotel (newly-built in 2015) that is convenient enough but yet easy on the wallet.
The modern and welcoming rooms also offer various bedding configurations that will cater to your traveling size. Oh, and breakfast is always complimentary at the ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong so you can start your day right!
Popular attractions around ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong: Myeongdong, Namsangol Hanok Village, Seven Luck Casino and Namdaemun Market
Address: 302, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 150 (KRW 123,000)
Book Ibis Styles Seoul Myeongdong here
The Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul
The Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul is within walking distance to historic landmarks like the Deoksu Palace while still remaining accessible to the famous shopping strip in Seoul. With spectacular views of the city and the surrounding region, The Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul offers comfort and luxury in the heart of the city.
If you are a meat lover, be sure to check out the famous international-style brasserie (The Ninth Gate Grille) for delicious grills over a wood-fired oven grill.
Popular attractions around The Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul: Deoksu Palace, Gwanghwamu, Shinsegae Department Store and Namdaemun Market
Address: 106 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu Seoul, 04533 Korea
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 350 (KRW 287,000)
Book The Westin Chosun Hotel Seoul here
2) Hongdae: For the fashionistas and indie lovers
For a blast into your collegiate past, check out Hongdae for all things indie and fashionable. Located just minutes away from Hongik University and a short stroll away from Sinchon, Hongdae is the place to be. Select from the vast number of cafes and Korean BBQ restaurants as you eat (and drink!) your way silly into the wee hours of the night.
Hotel The Designers Hongdae
With beautifully-themed rooms that exude contemporary charm, the Hotel The Designers Hongdae is located just a stroll away from Hapjeong station, making it easy to get around on the train. If you are feeling peckish, the hotel is also a stone’s throw away from popular cafes like Angelinus and Tous Les Jours.
What really stands out in this property though is the design of the guest rooms in a place like Hongdae – check this place out if you are looking for a hotel with an indie vibe! Don’t forget to indulge in some of the best Korean BBQ in Seoul while you are there too.
Popular attractions around Hotel The Designers Hongdae: Seoul Trickeye Museum, Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine, Hongdae NANTA Theatre and Love Museum
Address: 373-9 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea, 121-210
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 110 (KRW 100,000)
Book Hotel The Designers Hongdae here
MONO HOUSE Hongdae
If you are a huge Instagrammer, you will definitely fall in love with the MONO HOUSE Hongdae which is located just 5 minutes away from the Hongik University Subway Station. This affordably priced and no-frills property offers minimalistic design throughout the whole property.
Popular attractions around MONO HOUSE Hongdae: Seoul Trickeye Museum, Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine and Hongdae NANTA Theatre
Address: 446-11,Seogyo-dong,Mapo-gu,Seoul,Korea
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 100 (KRW 90,000)
3) Gangnam: For the well-traveled and high-heeled
You’ve heard the famous Gangnam Style song, now check it out for yourself and find out why this place (or rather the song) took the world by storm. The Gangnam district is the fourth most populated place in Seoul and it is famous for its wealthier population and the higher standard of living. If you are looking to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, Gangnam is your place to be!
Park Hyatt Seoul
With just 185 guestrooms that includes 38 beautifully-appointed suites with killer views, the Park Hyatt Seoul is definitely one of the city’s most luxurious properties. Every single room (and suite!) in the property offers expansive living spaces and a tall floor-to-ceiling window (3.4m) that boasts some of the city’s best views.
Looking for a place to recharge? Check out the infinity pool on the 24th floor with sweeping views of Gangnam or indulge in a luxurious spa treatment at the Park Club Spa and Fitness Centre (located on 23rd and 24th floors of the Park Hyatt Seoul).
Popular attractions around Park Hyatt Seoul:
Apgujeong-dong, Chungdam-dong, Garosu-gil, Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and MMCA (National Museum of Modern and Contermporary Art)
Address: 606, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 500 (KRW 411,000)
Aloft Seoul Gangnam
Take a slow 10-minutes stroll from Cheongdam station and you will find yourself at Aloft Seoul Gangnam. The hotel is located just a short walk from the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center within the growing Gangnam district of southern Seoul.
In line with the Aloft brand image, the Aloft Seoul Gangnam offers affordably priced rooms that brings about urban cool to places you least expect – the rooms brightly coloured and energy flows throughout the property to create a buzzing social scene.
Popular attractions around Aloft Seoul Gangnam: COEX Mall, Hallyu Star Avenue, Dosan Park, Hyundai Department Store and SSG Market
Address: 736 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 130 (KRW 110,000)
4) Itaewon: For the party-people
Sometimes known as the “Western Town” of Seoul, Itaewon is home to a large number of restaurants that feature international cuisine from every part of the world. Be prepared to shop (and haggle) and party your night away here at Itaewon with unique bars and club as you spend your nights grooving to pounding music.
Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel
Nothing gets you into a party mood like a chic hotel that is located in one of Seoul’s best area for nightlife. The Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel features some of the most beautiful modern rooms in the vicinity and you definitely have to check out the extravagant buffets at Café Amiga if you are in the area.
Be sure to drop by the Deli Amador for some freshly baked delights too! The hotel is also located just 5 minutes away from the Itaewon station so getting around is fuss-free and easy.
Popular attractions around Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel:
Address: 737-32 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 200 (KRW 175,000)
Book Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel here
Grand Hyatt Seoul
The most well-known hotel in Itaewon has got to be the Grand Hyatt Seoul. This beautiful property overlooks the famous Han River and Namsan Mountain with 601 luxurious rooms and suites.
To accommodate for the different seasons in Seoul, the Grand Hyatt Seoul has both an outdoor and indoor pool, tennis and squash courts but more importantly, the hotel even has its own ice-skating rink. There are also Pure Hypo-Allergenic rooms at the Grand Hyatt Seoul for those of you who susceptible to allergies.
Popular attractions around Grand Hyatt Seoul : Namsan Park, Seoul Tower, National Theatre and Itaewon
Address: 322 Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 300 (KRW 250,000)
5) Jamsil – For the families and sports enthusiasts
If you’re traveling with your family or are a baseball fan yourself, there is no better neighborhood to stay in than Jamsil! Besides being home to two of Korea’s professional baseball teams – Doosan Bears and LG Twins, Jamsil is also home to Lotte World Adventure, the largest indoor theme park in the world.
For those well versed in the Kpop culture, Jamsil was also where PSY popularized his Gangnam Style moves and where the popular variety show Running Man was filmed.
Lotte Hotel World
Lotte Hotel World is part of Lotte World Adventure – the world’s largest indoor theme park. Overlooking the Seokchon Lake, the hotel is located a mere 3-minute walk from the nearest subway station and a 30-minute bus ride to the Olympic Park attraction.
Facilities at the hotel include a gym overlooking the Seokchon Lake, a four-season indoor swimming pool and an indoor golf course.
Popular attractions around Lotte Hotel World: Lotte World, Lotte World Tower Cinema, Olypic Park, Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul
Address: 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea Lotte Hotel World
Rooms start at: Approximately SGD 300 (KRW 250,000)
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Published in September 2016 and Updated January 2018. Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
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