Hotel Reviews (호텔 리뷰)

Moxy Seoul Insadong: A Trendy Urban Hotel in the Heart of Seoul

Right outside of Jongno 3-ga Subway Station and south of the popular Ikseon-dong Hanok Village sits Moxy Seoul Insadong, a hotel that blends youthful energy with the historical charm of the area. Featuring a rooftop bar, cool communal spaces, and murals, Moxy Hotel in Insadong is a great hotel in the heart of the historic area of Seoul for tourists, remote workers that are traveling, and staycationers.

I’m often asked where to stay in Seoul, and I often recommend the Insadong and Bukchon areas which often lands people on Hanok hotels, but there are great modern hotels in the area as well and this is one of them.

Moxy Seoul Insadong, Moxy Hotel, Ikseon-dong, Seoul, Korea

Moxy Seoul Insadong sits just south of Ikseon-dong and is a great hotel in Seoul:

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Basic Info

How To Book A Room: If you are a Marriott Member, you can book directly on Marriott.com. There are great perks to being a member so look into it if you travel a lot. Otherwise, you can easily check rates and book on Booking.com or on Agoda.com.

Address: 37 Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울시 종로구 동화문로 11길 37)

Directions: Right outside of Jongno 3-ga Subway Station, exit 4.


Atmosphere and Design

Moxy Seoul Insadong exudes a vibrant, community-centered vibe with its hip and graffiti-covered entrance and hallways. You’ll want to stop and get a pic with the giant mural at the entrance before you’ve even gotten inside.

The lobby is on the 16th floor in the bar and sets the tone for a contemporary and unconventional stay you’ll experience. While lacking traditional services like a concierge, the hotel’s design aligns with its select-class status, creating a self-service, unmanned motel ambiance. You’ll have everything you need, with fun vibes, you just have to find it. It makes for a great work and stay hotel as well if you’re a business traveler, working remotely, or something else.

Moxy Seoul Insadong, Moxy Hotel, Ikseon-dong, Seoul, Korea

It feels young and cool and invites travelers like me who loved the community of hostels when I was younger, but is now looking for an upgraded experience. You can still get the community vibe of a hostel, but with the amenities you can now afford.


Check-In Experience

I was invited by the Moxy team to stay at Moxy Insadong as well as Moxy Myeongdong just after Moxy Myeongdong opened to help promote the opening of their second cool hotel in Seoul. I had a friend who stayed at Moxy Insadong every time she was in downtown Seoul and raved about the rooftop bar so I was looking forward to check it out.

The check-in process is uniquely situated at the 16th-floor in the Moxy Bar, offering a social hub for guests. A welcome drink is provided, allowing guests to choose from three options, alcohol and non-alcohol. The rooftop, with its stunning views, provides a picturesque setting for enjoying these drinks and soaking in the cityscape, especially during the evening.


Room Experience

Rooms at Moxy Seoul Insadong maintain a sleek and functional design. I will say, having stayed at both the Insadong and the Myeongdong, the Myeongdong rooms are a bit more ‘Moxy-style’ and larger whereas the Insadong has smaller rooms having retrofitted a hotel that was previously there. But the Insadong stay has more communal spaces and the rooftop bar can’t be beat in the area.

When getting a room, if you are on the north side, you’ll get a great view out over the Ikseon Hanok Village as well.

The bathroom, with separate sink, shower, and toilet, offers spaciousness and convenience. You’ll also notice touches of colorful Moxy with pink products in the bathroom and a retro and cool phone on the table.


Facilities and Common Spaces

The second floor features a gym and a spacious lounge area with board games, providing a communal space for guests to unwind. The interior has a fun retro-theme with LPs on the walls adding a nostalgic touch. The second floor space is also where you’ll find the breakfast area and plenty of different seating options to enjoy it.

Additionally, the hotel offers free coffee in the Grab and Go Lounge, equipped with a microwave, providing a convenient spot for guests to enjoy a quick meal.

There is yet another fun communal space on the first floor which you’ll notice can only be accessed with your room card. There are even more games on the first floor. If you’ve got kids, you’ll probably spend some time here on the arcade games, playing giant Jenga, and more.


Rooftop Bar in Seoul

You’ll be able to check out the rooftop bar when you check-in as noted above, but go back in the evening. I visited in the winter so the vibes are a bit different than if you’re visiting in the summer, but still a great space for a drink and food with a view in the area. The food was also very good. If you’re not sure where to eat or still getting your bearings in the area, head up for a snack before you get out on the town.


Additional Amenities

For practical needs, the 1st basement floor houses a coin laundry if you’ll be staying a bit or want to wash up everything before you depart. There are also lockers, catering to travelers before or after check-out. This complements the hotel’s focus on self-service and convenience.


Overall Review of Moxy Seoul Insadong

Pros:

  • Located in a lively district with quick access to major tourist sites in Seoul
  • Proximity to public transit
  • Rooftop bar with panoramic views
  • Free coffee and tea available 24/7
  • Thoughtfully designed rooms
  • Various communal spaces with different kinds of seating for fun or remote work

Cons:

  • Smaller rooms
  • Minimalistic service, caters to the do-it-yourself traveler

What To See Nearby

There is a lot to see and do nearby which makes Ikseon-dong a great area to stay in Seoul. With plenty to eat in Ikseon-dong and these great things to do just steps from your hotel, you’ll have a great stay in Seoul, Korea.


Moxy Seoul Insadong, Marriott’s trendy boutique hotel, caters to travelers seeking value for money in a central location. This hotel will definitely help you embrace the youthful spirit of Ikseon-dong.

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