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Seoul is a city that thrives on contrast. Ancient palaces sit within walking distance of cutting-edge galleries, late-night barbecue joints coexist with minimalist cafes, and entire neighbourhoods reinvent themselves every few years without losing their soul.
It’s this constant dialogue between old and new that makes Seoul such a compelling destination — especially for travellers who want polish and personality in equal measure.
For those searching for where to stay in Seoul, the hotel scene mirrors the city’s layered character. Global luxury brands anchor key districts, while a growing number of design-led hotels deliver refined rooms, thoughtful amenities, and enviable locations at prices that feel refreshingly reasonable.
Whether you’re here for shopping sprees, back-to-back meetings, or a more leisurely, food-forward escape, the best hotels in Seoul are increasingly focused on smart luxury — comfort, aesthetics, and location — without unnecessary excess.
Table of contents
1. When to visit Seoul & how to get the best hotel rates2. Quick Seoul hotel comparison guide3. Myeongdong & Jung-gu4. Hongdae & Mapo5. Jongno/Central6. Gangnam DistrictWhen to visit Seoul & how to get the best hotel ratesSeoul’s four distinct seasons play a major role in both travel experience and hotel pricing. Spring (April to early June) is one of the city’s most popular periods, thanks to cherry blossoms, mild temperatures, and a calendar packed with festivals. It’s a beautiful time of year, but expect higher room rates and quicker sell-outs.
Autumn (September to November) rivals spring for its cool weather and photogenic foliage, making it another peak window for travellers and premium pricing.
If value is a priority, summer (July to August) and winter (December to February) offer more room to manoeuvre. Summer brings humidity and monsoon spells, but also sharper hotel deals and fewer international tourists.
Winter, while cold, rewards visitors with festive cityscapes, ski-season energy, and some of the best hotel rates of the year outside major holidays.
It’s also worth noting key travel spikes around Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Lunar New Year, when domestic travel surges and availability tightens. Booking well ahead — or opting for flight-and-hotel bundles during shoulder seasons — can unlock meaningful savings, particularly at luxury-leaning hotels that quietly lower rates outside peak periods.
Quick Seoul hotel comparison guideHotelNeighbourhoodNightly rateHotel amenitiesBest forLe Méridien Seoul MyeongdongMyeongdong$280 to $450Indoor pool, gym, multiple dining options, club loungeFirst-timers to Seoul, shoppers, convenience-focused travellersL’Escape, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul MyeongdongMyeongdong$200 to $420Boutique spa services, bars, restaurants, gymCouples, design lovers, atmosphere-driven staysRYSE, Autograph Collection by MarriottHongdae/Mapo$260 to $450Gym, design-led social spaces, cafe & barCreative travellers, couples, nightlife & cafe loversNaru Ambassador Hotel Seoul - MGallery CollectionMapo/Han River$200 to $380Infinity pool, indoor pool, river-view dining, gymCouples, scenic stays, design-forward travellersJW Marriott Dongdaemun Square SeoulDongdaemun$320 to $520Indoor pool, full spa, executive lounge, multiple dining venuesShopping trips, business travellers, all-in-one comfortGyedong Hanok 125Bukchon/Jongno$500 to $650Private hanok residence, courtyard, kitchen, laundryFamilies, groups, culture-focused travellersJosun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul GangnamGangnam$480 to $600Indoor pool, gym, wellness facilities, refined diningBusiness travellers, luxury shoppers, polished city staysAnanti at GangnamGangnam/Apgujeong area$320 to $520Indoor & outdoor pools, sauna, wellness spaces, gymCouples, wellness-led travellers, slower city breaksMyeongdong & Jung-guLe Méridien Seoul Myeongdong38, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Jung-Gu, 04535 Seoul, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $280 to $450/night
Photo: Booking.com
Le Méridien Seoul Myeongdong is a contemporary five-star base designed for travellers who want convenience without sacrificing comfort. Rooms are sleek and well-sized for the city, supported by reliable luxury staples like an indoor pool, a well-equipped gym, and a polished dining programme that makes mornings and late returns easy.
Its location places you right in the heart of Myeongdong’s retail sprawl, with excellent subway connectivity for hopping across the city, making it especially practical for first-time visitors.
Nearby highlights include Myeongdong’s shopping streets, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, and easy access to N Seoul Tower.
L’Escape, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Myeongdong67 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04529, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $200 to $420/night
Photo: Trip.com
L’Escape feels less like a hotel you pass through and more like a world you step into. Inspired by old-world Parisian glamour, its interiors lean moody and theatrical, a deliberate contrast to the fluorescent bustle outside.
Rooms are plush and characterful, while the bars and restaurants encourage slow evenings rather than quick refuels. Tucked just beyond Myeongdong’s busiest strip, it allows easy access to shopping and markets while offering a quieter return at night.
Nearby Namdaemun Market and central Seoul’s cultural core make it a natural fit for travellers who enjoy atmosphere as much as location.
Hongdae & MapoRYSE, Autograph Collection by Marriott130 Yanghwa-ro, RYSE, Autograph Collection, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 04038, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $260 to $450/night
Photo: Trip.com
RYSE isn’t just a stay; it’s a taste of Hongdae’s creative soul. Located a short walk from Hongik University Station, its interiors lean into artful, contemporary design that feels fresh without being gimmicky — think thoughtful public spaces, a buzzing cafe/bar culture on the ground floor, and rooms that balance comfort with personality.
It also offers strong amenities, such as a fitness centre and social lounges, that help travellers settle into Seoul’s youthful neighbourhood energy.
Being in Hongdae means you’re in a creative space, with cafes and indie boutiques, as well as a nightlife hub, with music venues and galleries within strolling distance, making it especially good for travellers who want culture and urban energy on their doorstep.
Naru Ambassador Hotel Seoul - MGallery Collection8 Mapodaero Mapogu, Mapo-Gu, 04176 Seoul, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $200 to $380/night
Photo: Booking.com
There’s a noticeable shift in pace at Hotel Naru. Set along the Han River, the hotel feels airy and contemplative, designed around light, space, and views rather than spectacle.
Interiors lean gallery-like, and the infinity pool overlooking the river is one of the city’s most quietly impressive amenities. While the location pulls you away from Seoul’s loudest districts, it offers excellent connectivity, making it easy to move between historic Jongno and creative Mapo.
Ideal for travellers who appreciate scenic breathing room between urban explorations.
Jongno/CentralJW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul279 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03198, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $320 to $520/night
Photo: Booking.com
At JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square, scale is part of the appeal. This is a hotel designed for travellers who enjoy having options — multiple dining venues, a substantial spa, and a full indoor pool — without needing to step outside.
The location places you next to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, where Seoul’s fashion and retail scene runs late into the night, making it particularly appealing for shopping-focused trips.
It’s polished, efficient luxury, well-suited to travellers who want the city at their doorstep and comfort waiting at the end of the day.
Gyedong Hanok 12511-3, Gyedong 2-gil, Jongno-gu, 03057 Seoul, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $500 to $650/night
Photo: Booking.com
Staying at Gyedong Hanok 125 feels like slipping behind the scenes of the city. Tucked into Bukchon, this restored traditional hanok offers a deeply local experience, complete with a courtyard, timber beams, and residential-style living spaces.
It’s less about hotel amenities and more about atmosphere — waking up in Seoul’s historic heart, steps from palaces, museums, and quiet lanes that reward slow wandering.
Best suited for families or groups, it’s a rare chance to experience Seoul from the inside rather than above.
Gangnam DistrictJosun Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Gangnam231 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, Gangnam-Gu, 06142 Seoul, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $480 to $600/night
Photo: Booking.com
Josun Palace reflects Gangnam’s polished, forward-facing identity. Interiors are sleek and contemporary, paired with attentive service and wellness facilities that make even short stays feel indulgent.
The hotel’s central Gangnam address puts luxury shopping, dining, and business districts within easy reach, while COEX and Starfield Mall anchor nearby downtime. It’s a confident, modern base for travellers who want their stay to match the neighbourhood’s tempo and ambition.
Ananti at Gangnam734, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Gangnam-Gu, 06049 Seoul, South Korea
Average nightly rate: $320 to $520/night
Photo: Booking.com
Ananti at Gangnam offers city accommodation from a different angle — one that prioritises rest as much as exploration. Designed with a resort-like sensibility, the hotel centres around expansive wellness facilities, including pools, saunas, and movement-focused spaces that encourage guests to slow down.
While firmly in Gangnam, it offers a softer, more lifestyle-driven alternative to the district’s usual high-energy pace, with Apgujeong and nearby cafe-lined streets. A strong choice for couples or travellers who want Seoul with built-in recovery time.
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