Introduction: From five-star luxury to budget-friendly hostels, Seoul offers accommodation options for every traveler and budget. Whether you’re seeking modern comfort or traditional Korean hospitality, you’ll find the perfect place to rest after exploring this vibrant city.
Hotels – The Fancy Stuff
Luxury Hotels (₩300,000+ per night / ~$330 AUD+)
The Shilla Seoul: If it’s good enough for visiting presidents and BTS, it’s probably good enough for you. Traditional Korean elegance meets modern luxury on the slopes of Namsan Mountain. The breakfast buffet alone is worth the splurge.
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul: In the heart of Gwangjang, this modern palace offers floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views. The infinity pool is Instagram-worthy, and the service is impeccable.
Mid-Range Hotels (₩100,000-300,000 / ~$110-330 AUD)
Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong: Right in the heart of the shopping madness. You can literally roll out of bed and into a skincare store. Perfect location, comfortable rooms, and surprisingly good value.
Hostels – The Budget-Friendly Option
Hostels in Seoul (₩20,000-50,000 / ~$22-55 AUD per night)
Myeongdong Guesthouse: Clean, friendly, and located in the most convenient neighborhood. Free breakfast (toast and instant noodles count as breakfast), and the staff will become your Seoul family.
Hongdae Guesthouse: In the hippest neighborhood, surrounded by street art, live music, and late-night Korean fried chicken. Young, social atmosphere perfect for solo travelers.
Traditional Korean Stays – The Cultural Experience
Hanok Guesthouses (₩60,000-150,000 / ~$66-165 AUD)
Staying in a traditional hanok house is like sleeping in a museum, but way more comfortable. Expect heated floors (ondol), sliding paper doors, and the chance to wear traditional pajamas without feeling ridiculous.
Bukchon Village: Wake up in a traditional Korean house in a neighborhood that’s been around for 600 years. Morning coffee with a view of traditional roofs against the skyline is unbeatable.
Ikseon-dong Hanok: Tiny alleyways, traditional houses turned trendy cafes, and accommodations that perfectly blend old and new.
Templestays – The Ultimate Cultural Immersion
Templestays (₩50,000-100,000 / ~$55-110 AUD per night)
Ever wanted to live like a monk? (Temporarily, with snacks allowed?) Templestays offer meditation, temple food (surprisingly delicious vegetarian cuisine), and pre-dawn chanting. It’s the ultimate digital detox – spotty WiFi and 4AM wake-up calls will cure your phone addiction.
Bongeunsa Temple: In the heart of Gangnam, offering a surreal contrast between spiritual tranquility and the modern city buzzing outside.
Unique Accommodation Options – For the Adventurous
Capsule Hotels: Tiny sleeping pods that make airplane seats look spacious. Perfect for budget travelers who just need a place to crash between adventures. Warning: Not recommended for the claustrophobic.
Jjimjilbangs (Spa Hotels): Open 24/7 Korean bathhouses where you can sleep on heated floors, enjoy multiple saunas, and eat boiled eggs at 3 AM. It’s an experience, and surprisingly popular with Korean travelers too.
Booking Tips – The Practical Stuff
Book Early: During cherry blossom season (April) and autumn (October), accommodations fill up faster than you can say “Gangnam Style.”
Location Matters: Stay near a subway station to save your feet and your sanity. Seoul is huge, and taxis add up quickly.
Check Reviews: Especially for hanok stays and hostels. That “traditional” accommodation might mean very traditional (i.e., no heating in winter).
Neighborhood Guide – Where to Stay
Myeongdong: Shopping central, tourist-friendly, English widely spoken. Perfect for first-timers.
Hongdae: Young, artistic, and buzzing with nightlife. Best for students and party people.
Gangnam: Modern, upscale, and yes, that Gangnam. Business district by day, entertainment hub by night.
Itaewon: International neighborhood with diverse food options and LGBTQ-friendly scene.
Bukchon/Insadong: Traditional Seoul, hanok houses, and cultural experiences. Quieter and more authentic.
