Where to Stay in Seoul With Family
Last Updated on August 18, 2024 by Alex
Don’t know where to stay in Seoul with family? Are you visiting South Korea’s capital for a few days or even a week and want to choose the best area and accommodation? We’ve got you covered.
Truthfully, during our one year in Seoul, we had no children. However, we were working on that, so we chose our apartment and neighborhood with that in mind.
Our daughter came to the world a few months after we returned to Europe. As soon as she turned 5 months old, we went on a continental tour. One and a half years later, we are still touring:)
Having stayed in apartments and hotels for all this time, we know what to look for when traveling with a baby.
Read also: Top 8 Best Areas to Stay in Seoul for your first visit
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Table of Contents
- Where to stay in Seoul with family: the best area
- Would we stay in Gangnam with family?
- Where to stay in Seoul with family: best hotels
- Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae, an IHG Hotel
- RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott
- NamHyunDang – Hanok Korean Traditional House
- Orakai Insadong Suites
- Somerset Palace Seoul
- The Blossom Yeonnam Guesthouse
- Fraser Place Central Seoul
- Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong
- Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences
- Similar Articles
Where to stay in Seoul with family: the best area
When it comes to choosing the best area to stay in Seoul with your family, we would look for a few things:
- Proximity to public transportation: bus stop mainly, since we always preferred taking the bus in Seoul; but also the subway, because there are certain areas that are better linked by subway;
- Proximity to supermarkets, convenience stores, and places where you can find familiar food.
- Accessibility from and to the airport: Sure, you can always book a taxi or a private transfer and get dropped off directly at your hotel, but you might want to travel by train or even bus, in which case you won’t want to walk a lot with luggage and kids.
- The quietness of the area: As mentioned before, sleep is very important with kids. That’s why we always recommend staying in a quiet area, away from party streets or even shopping streets.
- Access to parks and playgrounds: yes, you won’t spend all your time in the park, but it helps to have a place close by. After all, children get bored easily and will want some entertainment. On the other hand, you can always choose a hotel with a kids’ playroom or a swimming pool.
Considering this, we rented a place near Digital Media City that was perfect for a family with kids.
However, it is relatively far from the different attractions, so it might not be the best area for those visiting Seoul for a week or less.
For short visits, we would choose Hongdae (Yeonnam-dong) or certain areas of Jungno-gu for such a trip.
Would we stay in Gangnam with family?
Although it is one of the most popular areas in Seoul, we wouldn’t recommend it, especially when traveling with a small baby or toddler.
This is mainly because the area is relatively far away from the most important attractions in town—most are located to the north of the Han River. Getting from Gangnam to any of these places would take around one hour by bus or subway.
Also, with little time on our hands, we would rather stay in a more traditional area. Gangnam is very modern, with its skyscrapers and large boulevards, but it has an aseptic feel. No soul, so to speak.
Moreover, we had just moved to Seoul after living in Hong Kong for more than a year, so we had our fill of skyscrapers.
Of course, staying in Gangnam might be a good choice if you are traveling with an older kid or a teenager. Olympic Park can be close, and the hip areas around Dosan Park, Apgujeong, and Gangnam Station would all appeal to teenagers.
Also, staying close to Lotte World Adventure would pay off if you want to start your day early at the park.
Read also: Best things to do in Gangnam
Where to stay in Seoul with family: best hotels
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae, an IHG Hotel
This hotel is perfectly located on the main boulevard, minutes away from Hongik University subway station, placing you on the Green Line and the Airport Express line.
The Gyeongui Line Forest Park and the Gyeongui Line Book Street are steps away. The area also has countless restaurants, shops, and cafes.
The Family Room has a double and single bed, and the hotel can provide a cot upon request.
RYSE, Autograph Collection Seoul by Marriott
This hotel is a top pick for families with children. We would go for the Director Suite, a One-Bedroom Suite with a sofa bed and a double bed. Additionally, the hotel can provide a cot if you are traveling with a smaller baby or an extra bed if needed.
Situated in the vibrant Hongdae area, RYSE, Autograph Collection is just a 3-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik University Subway Station, which connects to Line 2, Airport Railroad, and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.
NamHyunDang – Hanok Korean Traditional House
Stay in a traditional hanok house and have it all to yourself. This is a 3-bedroom house you can rent if you are traveling with a bigger family.
You will not only experience an authentic stay but also have access to a private kitchen, a washing machine, and an interior garden where kids can play and you can relax.
This property is conveniently located near popular attractions like Changgyeonggung Palace, a historic royal palace 1.6 km away, and Bangsan Market, a bustling shopping area 1.7 km away.
Orakai Insadong Suites
The self-catering apartments are well-appointed, featuring fully equipped kitchenettes and satellite TVs. Guests can also enjoy access to a variety of facilities, such as an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a sauna.
Depending on your family’s size, you can choose from one, two, or three-bedroom apartments. All apartments have a washing machine, and the hotel’s location is perfect—in the heart of the city.
Somerset Palace Seoul
Even though the area of this hotel is very central, it can also be quiet. By choosing to stay here, you will be minutes away from the main palaces, Jogyesa Temple, and 3 subway stations: Anguk, Gwanghwamun, and Gyeongbokgung.
Each unit also boasts a washer and tumble dryer for your convenience. You can stay active in the fully equipped fitness center, challenge your friends to billiards in the recreation room, and relax in the rooftop hot tub.
The hotel offers one-bedroom or two-bedroom options, both of which come with a private kitchen equipped.
The Blossom Yeonnam Guesthouse
A budget accommodation option is set in one of our favorite areas in town, Yeonnam-dong.
Within walking distance of Hongik University subway station and Hongdae Street, this is a nice and quiet residential area where you will find plenty of traditional houses (not hooks).
Plenty of cafes and restaurants exist, and the Gyeongui Line Forest Park is within walking distance.
When you travel with your family, you can choose to stay in the quadruple room. Guests have access to a shared lounge and kitchen, but bathrooms are also shared.
Fraser Place Central Seoul
Fraser Central Seoul is a luxurious apartment complex located just a 10-minute walk from Seodaemoon and Seoul Subway Stations. It offers stunning city views to its guests.
The one-bedroom apartments are fully furnished with air conditioning and amenities like a kitchenette with a washing machine.
Families gave this location an 8.6 rating for a family stay.
Nine Tree Premier Hotel Insadong
The hotel has a Family Kids room with bunk beds that can accommodate a family with up to 2 kids. However, cots and extra beds are not available.
Nine Tree Premier Insadong is across the street from the famous Jogyesa Temple and a one-minute walk from Insadong. The palaces and Bukchon Hanok Village are also within walking distance, and the Anguk subway station is nearby.
Families that stayed with kids offered the hotel a 9.5 rating.
Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences
If you would rather stay in Gangnam, next to Lotte World Adventure, Olympic Park, and Seokchon Lake, this is the hotel for you.
Providing 5-star accommodation, the hotel boasts a restaurant, bar, and free bikes for exploration around the city. The property also includes an indoor pool and a modern fitness center for those who wish to stay active while traveling.
The hotel also has a kid’s club, and some rooms have a kitchenette with a microwave and a minibar.
Previous guests who stayed with kids offered the hotel a 9.2 rating.
You can choose the Family room, the one-bedroom King suite, or the prestige family room with a large double bed and a sofa bed.
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