Where To Stay In Myeongdong: The Hotels In Seoul To Check In To
Myeongdong is one of the most popular areas to stay in Seoul, Korea. Tourists love to stay in Myeongdong because it’s in a convenient area to get everywhere and there are budget friendly hotels and higher end hotels too. I did a whole guide to the 9 best districts in Seoul to stay but wanted to delve deeper into Myeongdong. It’s a vibrant area with street art in one area, so many delicious food options, and a lot of delicious restaurants and cafes too.
Of course Myeongdong is also well known for all of the shopping that can be done there too. If you’re looking for the most convenient area to stay in Seoul, here are the hotels in Myeongdong to check out.
Why you should find a hotel in Myeongdong:
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)
Why to stay in Myeongdong
As Seoul’s most famous shopping district and well known for being one of the most tourist friendly areas in Seoul, Myeongdong took a hit during Covid. Two years without tourists did a number on the area and one of the biggest questions I’ve gotten the past few months has been whether or not Myeongdong is back or worth it to stay in right now. Yes yes yes! Myeongdong is making a come back and while it took a little longer to fill back in than some other neighborhoods, it is definitely worth staying there still.
Why to stay in Myeongdong:
- Convenient location: Myeongdong is one of the best central areas to stay in. You can get to and From Seoul Station easily which is where the airport train brings you in from Incheon International Airport. From Myeongdong, you can also easily get to the traditional downtown area and over to the K-poppy Gangnam area or enjoy a night out in Hongdae.
- Souvenirs, K-pop goods, and K-beauty shops: Myeongdong is all about shopping and features some of the high end department stores as well as K-beauty franchises.
- Things to do: Check out my guide to Myeongdong to learn more about the various experiences you can do there on top of all of the great shopping and more.
- Plenty of restaurants: There are plenty of restaurants but also a ton of awesome street food options in Myeongdong. Street vendors line the pedestrian thoroughfares of Myeongdong and have local goodies and some of the more specialized eats like rose shaped ice cream.
- Taxis are easy to find: I had a friend that actually resided in Myeongdong for many years and she absolutely loved it because it was always easy to get a taxi to go someplace and on the flipside, wherever she was, taxis would be happy to take her to Myeongdong. This can’t be said for everywhere in the city. Taxis rarely want to take me home to Eunpyeong-gu, for example.
Where to stay in Myeongdong
Luxury hotels in Myeongdong
L’Escape Hotel (레스케이프 호텔)
I got to visit this amazing 5-star hotel to write about it for Forbes Travel Guide and I was super impressed. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the entire hotel is meant to whisk you off to 18th century French regality. It’s truly something else. No, it won’t give you Korean vibes, but maybe you want to have a chic French stay inside and a Korean adventure outside. The attention to detail is amazing and you can enjoy exquisite and spacious rooms with huge bathrooms and bearfoot claw bathtubs. From the rooms to the communal spaces, everything is top notch.
You can book a room at L’Escape Hotel on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Lotte Hotel Seoul (롯데호텔 서울)
Lotte Hotel Seoul has two sides, the main tower and the executive tower. This is a 5-star hotel that is elegant and sophisticated. In the executive tower, you’ll get VIP treatment in rooms that range from standard to suites. You’ll enjoy a large room with high quality furnishings that are comfortable and well maintained. it’s a gorgeous hotel owned by one of the biggest brands in Korea so you can expect high quality in everything that you touch.
You can book a room at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
The Westin Chosun Hotel
Just behind Lotte Department Store, this 5-star hotel has an indoor pool and spa and is just steps from the popular shopping streets of Myeongdong. They have all of the amenities you could possibly want including laundry and dry cleaning services and a great concierge with the answers to all of your questions. There are great restaurants in the hotel where you can get delicious international cuisine. One of the most popular hotels in the area for a reason.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, book directly on Marriott.com. Or, you can book a room at The Westin Chosun Hotel on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
The Plaza Seoul, Autograph Collection
The Autograph Collection of hotels are a special group of 180 hotels around the world. This hotel is a unique experience in an upscale hotel. This hotel has an indoor pool and the other great amenities you look for in a hotel along with great places to eat like Taoyuen, which serves health Chinese fare, and The Seven Square that offers a Mediterranean-style buffet. Be one of the lucky sleepers in one of their 410 rooms.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, book a stay here directly on Marriott.com. Or, you can book a room at The Plaza Seoul on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Mid-range hotels in Myeongdong
Moxy Seoul Myeongdong
A newly opened hotel in Myeongdong, I stayed at this funky hotel recently. The staff is great and the rooms are designed to be smart with various design hacks to make for better use of space. There’s a great bar on site too. Actually, you check in at the bar and get a drink while you get your keys. This is a Marriott hotel that speaks to the millennial. Fun, hip, and Instagrammable everywhere you look. There are a ton of a communal spaces and places to hang. Thanks to the fun communal work spaces and play spaces, you get those awesome fun hostel vibes when you were young and backpacking, but in a much more upscale style.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, book a stay here directly on Marriott.com. Or, you can book a room at Moxy Seoul Myeongdong on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Myeongdong (포 포인츠 바이 쉐라톤 조선 서울 명동)
Another new hotel on the block, Four Points was just opened in 2020. There are quite a few Four Points by Sheraton Josun in the city so don’t get them confused. The rooms are modern, simple, and chic and very comfortable and great for business travelers as they offer a business center and equipped meeting rooms. Very comfortable for tourists too, though don’t get me wrong.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, book a stay here directly on Marriott.com. Or, you can book a room at Four Points by Sheraton Josun on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Aloft Seoul Myeongdong (알로프트 서울 명동)
I had a friend stay here when she visited Seoul and really enjoyed the stay. Rooms options range from aloft, savvy, urban, and breezy. They’re bright, contemporary, and stylish and come in both studio and suite options that can accommodate up to 5 people. The hotel features a fitness center and business center too. These are really comfortable rooms with great staff and a great location. It definitely has style.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member, book a stay directly on Marriott.com. Or, you can book a room at Aloft on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
L7 Myeongdong by Lotte (L7 명동)
Another great hotel chain in Korea owned by the Lotte brand, L7 is a trendy hotel chain that you can find all over. Lotte created the L7 brand with the millennial traveler in mind. Again, don’t get the locations confused because there are quite a few. They have modern rooms that are spacious with bold designs. You can even enjoy their rooftop bar here. The rooms are spacious, contemporary, and very comfortable and are more affordable than the Lotte Hotel. I really like the design of these hotels. Modern and simple with cool color vibes.
You can book a room at L7 Myeongdong on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Hotel28 Myeongdong (호텔28 명동)
This is a 3-star boutique hotel with an industrial modern design focusing on wood, grey, and white accents for a calming atmosphere. Designed for the movie lover and furnished with trendy amenities and film-inspired artwork, the rooms include air purifiers, an espresso machine, and a bathtub for maximum comfort. The hotel also has a rooftop garden, restaurant, a library, and a gallery with artwork by emerging local artists.
You can book a room at Hotel28 on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Budget friendly hotels in Myeongdong
G2 Hotel Myeongdong (G2호텔)
If you’re looking for something simple and clean, check in to G2 Hotel. The rooms are functional and comfortable. You can enjoy a gym and rooftop garden which is open 24 hours. This very central hotel has great staff who are very helpful and there are very comfortable beds. It’s simple and straightforward but budget friendly.
You can book a room at G2 Hotel on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Henn Na Hotel
If you want to experience the future of tourism, stay at Henn Na Hotel where robots are the front desk staff checking you in. This is a 4-star hotel with simple but comfortable rooms. This will definitely be a hotel you can write home about. The hotel is meant to be simple and inorganic and introduce customers to cutting-edge technology right in their living spaces. I personally like the human touch, but if you’re coming to Seoul hoping to visit the various robot cafes and innovative spaces, then stay here for an all around futuristic experience.
You can book a room at Henn Na Hotel on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Common questions about staying in Myeongdong
Is it better to stay in Myeongdong or Hongdae?
To be honest, it really depends what you’re looking for. Hongdae has some great hotels. If you’re looking for more nightlife, Hongdae is the way to go. If you’re looking for more convenience when it comes to transportation, Myeongdong is better. I would say Hongdae is for a younger traveller and Myeongdong is more comfortable if you’re a bit older. They’re both great areas to stay in though.
Is it better to stay in Myeongdong or Insadong?
Insadong isn’t as lively as Myeongdong which is a bit less lively compared to Hongdae. Insadong is known for more traditional style places to stay. Myeongdong is more central if you’re looking to get everywhere from Insadong to Gangnam. But, if you’re looking to experience a more traditional time in Seoul, Insadong is the place for you.
Did you like this post? Pin iT!
