Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

Where To Stay In Myeongdong: Best Hotels for Every Budget

Last Updated on April 5, 2026

Myeongdong is one of the most practical places to stay in Seoul, and also one of the most fun. The neighborhood runs from morning until late at night, which makes it useful if you’re working through jet lag or just want the option to eat at odd hours. The subway connections are excellent, you can get to Seoul Station, and the airport train, in minutes, reach traditional neighborhoods like Insadong in one stop, or get across to Hongdae or Gangnam without much effort.

The shopping is obvious and well documented. What’s less obvious is how much the staying-in-Myeongdong experience differs from just visiting for the day. We did a staycation here twice, hopping in and out of the hotel at our whim, grazing through the street food carts in the evening, ducking into beauty stores between meals, and it completely changed how I thought about the neighborhood. That version of Myeongdong, unhurried and on your own schedule, is the best version.

Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley

From five-star French-inspired luxury to budget-friendly hostels with garden terraces, here’s the honest breakdown of where to stay in Myeongdong.

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Myeongdong Hotels at a Glance

HotelCategoryBest for
L’Escape HotelLuxuryCouples, anniversaries, French aesthetic
Lottel Hotel SeoulLuxuryVIP experience, executive travel
The Westin ChosunLuxuryPool, spa, classic luxury
The Plaza SeoulLuxuryMarriott Bonvoy members
Moxy Seoul MyeongdongMid-rangeMillennials, social travelers
Four Points by SheratonMid-rangeBusiness travelers
Aloft Seoul MyeongdongMid-rangeStyle-conscious travelers
L7 Myeongdong by LotteMid-rangeRooftop bar lovers
Hotel28 MyeongdongMid-rangeDesign and film enthusiasts
G2 HotelBudgetClean, simple, central
Henn Na HotelBudgetTech lovers, novelty seekers
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Moxy Seoul Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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 is a great district to stay with delicious places to eat, beauty clinics for facials, museums, a Hanok village and more nearby!

  • 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.
  • Subway access. Two subway lines run through the neighborhood. Myeongdong Station on Line 4 and Euljiro 1-ga Station on Line 2 give you direct access to most of Seoul without transfers.
  • Shopping and K-beauty: Every major Korean beauty brand has a presence in Myeongdong and the duty-free options are significant for international visitors making larger purchases.
  • 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. 
  • Food at all hours: Street food carts run into the evening, soup restaurants open at 7:00am, and fried chicken spots stay open past midnight. Read the full guide to the best food in Myeongdong from restaurants to street food.
  • Taxi access: A friend of mine lived in Myeongdong for years and one of the things she valued most was how easy taxis were, both to hail and to get drivers to agree to take her. This sounds minor until you’ve been in Seoul neighborhoods where taxis mysteriously don’t want to go… like Eunpyeong-gu where I lived for years.

Where to stay in Myeongdong

Luxury hotels in Myeongdong

L'Escape Hotel, Seoul, Korea

L’Escape Hotel (레스케이프 호텔)

I visited this hotel to write about it for Forbes Travel Guide and it is genuinely unlike anything else in Seoul. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the entire hotel recreates 18th-century French aristocratic life — claw-foot bathtubs, black and white tiled bathrooms, rooms that feel more like a Parisian townhouse than a Korean hotel. Lush, theatrical, and completely committed to the concept. The attention to detail is extraordinary and the communal spaces are as beautiful as the rooms.

It won’t give you Korean vibes, but that’s not the point. If you want a chic French stay on the inside and a Korean adventure on the outside, L’Escape is the hotel. Worth it for a special anniversary, a honeymoon, or anyone who wants their Seoul accommodation to be genuinely memorable. Also one of the few pet-friendly hotels in the area.

You can book a room at L’Escape Hotel on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Lotte Hotel Seoul (롯데호텔 서울), Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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, Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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, Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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, Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

Moxy Seoul Myeongdong

I stayed at this funky hotel and love their vibe. 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), Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Myeongdong (포 포인츠 바이 쉐라톤 조선 서울 명동)

Opened in 2020, this is a clean and comfortable modern hotel that works particularly well for business travelers with a business center, meeting rooms, and the kind of straightforward reliability that makes it easy to stay focused. Equally good for tourists who want a comfortable, unfussy base without paying luxury prices.

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), Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

Aloft Seoul Myeongdong (알로프트 서울 명동)

A friend stayed here during a Seoul visit and really enjoyed it. Room options include aloft, savvy, urban, and breezy categories in both studio and suite configurations, accommodating up to five people. Bright, contemporary, and stylish rooms with a fitness center and business center on site. Good staff and a location that makes everything in Myeongdong easy to reach.

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), Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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. We’ve stayed in their hotels all over the country. Lotte created the L7 brand with the millennial traveler in mind.

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

Hotel 28, Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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), Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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, Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea

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


FAQ

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.

Is Myeongdong a good area to stay in Seoul?

It’s one of the best for first-time visitors. The central location means easy access to most major attractions by subway, the street food and restaurants mean you’re never stuck for a meal at odd hours, and the area is safe and easy to navigate. The main drawback is that it’s busy. If you want quiet, look at Insadong or Hongdae instead.

How far is Myeongdong from Seoul Station?

Myeongdong Station is two stops from Seoul Station on Line 4, which is also where the Incheon Airport Railroad connects. The journey takes about five minutes by subway or 20 minutes on foot.

Are Myeongdong hotels expensive?

The range is wide from budget hostels under W50,000 per night to five-star hotels over W400,000. Mid-range options (W100,000 – W200,000) are well represented and offer good value given the central location.

What is the best luxury hotel in Myeongdong?

L’Escape Hotel is the most distinctive and memorable if you want something genuinely unusual. The Westin Chosun and Lotte Hotel Seoul are the most consistently excellent if you want classic five-star reliability. The Plaza Seoul is the best option for Marriott Bonvoy members maximizing points.

What is the best budget hotel in Myeongdong?

G2 Hotel is the most straightforward and reliable budget option. Clean, comfortable, well located, and better amenities than most at the price point. Henn Na Hotel is worth considering if the robot check-in concept appeals to you and you want a story to tell.


Myeongdong isn’t just a place to pass through on the way to your hotel, it’s one of the best neighborhoods in Seoul to be based in. The right hotel here makes the whole trip more convenient, more spontaneous, and more fun. Whether you’re checking into a claw-foot bathtub suite or a cleverly designed capsule, you’re well placed for everything Seoul has to offer.

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