Where to stay in Hongdae: best hotels in Hongdae
Last Updated on October 22, 2024 by Alex
So, have you analyzed your options and considered Hongdae as your base camp during your Seoul vacation? If not, you may be wondering where to stay in Hongdae and are looking for suitable options.
I gathered the best hotels in Hongdae in one place, so you don’t have to do any research.
We have lived for one year in Seoul, relatively close to Hongdae, and have become very familiar with the area, its hotels, and all the fun activities worth having there.
Whether you are traveling with your teen kids or you are simply looking for a fun area to stay in that is well connected to the city center and Seoul’s main things to do, Hongdae is the place for you!
This post contains affiliate links. Read more about it on our disclosure page here.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Hongdae
How to get to Hongdae
It is one of the best-connected areas in Seoul, and it is easy to reach from Incheon or Gimpo Airport. You will also be a few bus stops away from the city center.
Traveling from the airport is easy, fast, and cheap, with a direct line linking both airports to Seoul’s fun neighborhood.
Read the complete guide here and choose your preferred option for traveling to the airport, depending on your budget, time, and travel style.
If you don’t feel like going through the whole comparison, here are your options in a nutshell:
| Means of Transportation | Cost | Duration |
| Subway | 4,650 KRW (Transit Card) 4,750 KRW (Ticket) | 52 minutes |
| Bus (number 6002) | 10,000 KRW | roughly 1 hour |
| Taxi | approx. 50,000 KRW | roughly 1 hour |
| Private Transfer | From 72 USD/ 3 pers | roughly 1 hour |
Extra tip: Before you go by subway, get your T-Money Card + Data SIM
You will use your T-Money card to get around Seoul (or anywhere else in South Korea) by public transportation so that you will need it throughout your trip.
Why choose to stay in Hongdae
Hongdae is located in Mapo-gu and is relatively close to the city center.
It is very well linked to the major tourist attractions by bus and subway—Hongik University Station on the Inner Circle Green Line is a few stops away from the City Hall and the main city center area.
In the area, there are a few of the most important universities in town. Thus, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops with affordable prices, as well as some of the most Instagrammable places in town.
The cons: The area is packed with people (mostly students and tourists) at every hour of the day and night. So, if you are looking for a more laid-back area, this is not the place for you.
Where to stay in Hongdae: Best hotels in Hongdae
If you have decided that this area is for you, it is worth knowing that you will find plenty of cool and modern hotels here. However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot choose to stay on a budget or in a traditional place.
Here are some of the best hotels in Hongdae.
Luxury Hotels in Hongdae
A 4-star hotel, steps from the subway station, is set on the main boulevard.
The hotel has a stunning rooftop restaurant and bar from which you can admire the city and a rooftop swimming pool for hot summer days.
Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae
Right across the street from L7 Hotel, this international chain hotel won’t disappoint.
It is ideally located close to the subway and bus station, rooms offer stunning city views, and you will find currency exchange for guests at the reception desk.
RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul
While you will have to walk a little bit to this hotel since it is located between Hongik and Hapjeong subway stations, you will still be in a great location.
The interior design is extremely stylish, and guests have loved the breakfast served here. They have also loved how helpful the concierge was (especially in making restaurant reservations).
Thus, everything is within walking distance. Moreover, guests can access a fitness center, a business center, and a library.
Mid-Range Hotels in Hongdae
Only a bit further away from the melting hot pot, this hotel will offer a relaxing stay in Hongdae. Guests can access the rooftop pool and the fitness center without any additional fee.
Rooms have a simple design but are comfortable, and guests have found the staff extremely friendly and helpful.
This is another nice mid-range hotel located close to everything you might need in the area. The rooms are comfortable, and guests have enjoyed the bathtub and the view from their rooms.
If you are planning a longer South Korean itinerary, you might want to contact this hotel and ask if they can store your luggage for a few days. They might be open to that.
Budget accommodation in Hongdae
Tucked away relatively closer to Sangsu Station, this guesthouse offers accommodation in simple traditional rooms. You will be close to cafes, restaurants, and the streets with public performances.
It is also worth knowing that a simple breakfast is served daily, computers are available for use, and luggage storage is together with fax/photocopying services. This is the perfect place to stay when traveling on a budget.
You will love this pretty guesthouse if you like pink and girly things.
Apart from its design and price tag, the location is perfect. It is very close to the Hongik University subway, a mall, and a huge Daiso, and just in front of the famous Gyeongui Line Forest Park, where many K-dramas were shot.
If you are a K-pop fan, then you should book this place! A bit further away from the Honkink subway station, but only a few steps away from Mangwon subway station, you will see that this area is quite as cool and hip as the one around Hongdae.
Whether you are traveling alone or with a group of friends, you will find this place safe and comfortable. While Mangwon is one of our favorite areas in Mapo-gu, you will see that it is more low-key and less hectic but still packed with cool cafes and restaurants.
Apartments in Hongdae
A beautiful penthouse apartment with a stunning rooftop terrace where you can start and end your days in Seoul.
The place is perfect for a larger group or a family because it has three bedrooms with double or single beds.
Its location is also one of the best, along Gyeongui Line Forest Park, one of the prettiest areas to discover, packed with cafes and cool restaurants.
This is another excellent 1-bedroom apartment located seconds away from the subway station. If you would rather have a whole place to yourself, including access to a kitchen, or spend more time in town, renting an apartment is a better idea than staying at a hotel.
Similar Posts
Driving in South Korea – a complete guide
Choose the best area to stay in Seoul or stay close to Seoul Station
Plan your Seoul Itinerary: 2 days, 3 days, 4 days in Seoul
18 Comments