Are you looking for the best hotels in Hongdae Seoul? Perfect! We are going to show you the 8 top rated cheap, mid range and luxury hotel options available in the popular Hongdae neighborhood for your visit to Seoul, South Korea.
Instead of trawling through randomly listed hotel search engine results, use our research and data driven guide to find the best hotels in Hongdae based on location, value, previous guest ratings and our own personal experiences in Seoul.
Here’s how we will break down the best hotels in Hongdae Seoul to help you find the perfect place to stay:
- Our experience in Hongdae
- Is Hongdae a good place to stay in Seoul?
- Hongdae hotels map
- 8 best Hongdae hotels
Let’s find you the perfect Hongdae hotel for your trip to Seoul!
*Please note this guide contains affiliate links. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the free content we provide! Read more in our disclosure policy.*
Our Experience In Hongdae
We spent two unforgettable weeks exploring Seoul at the end of March 2023 just as the cherry blossoms were blooming.
During our research on where to stay in Seoul, we noticed Hongdae was frequently mentioned as a hip, trendy, and student heavy neighborhood.
So, we decided to spend our first week staying in Hongdae before spending our second week in Myeongdong, which is a more popular place to stay in Seoul for first time visitors.
There are far fewer hotels in Hongdae when compared to Myeongdong, it was cherry blossom season and we were booking last minute due to a change in plans with Hong Kong (long story!).
As a result, we didn’t have much of a choice and the only hotel available right in the Hongdae neighborhood was heavily inflated in price.
In the end, we decided to save a few hundred dollars and stay 7 nights at Lotte City Hotel in Mapo, which is very close to Hongdae. The hotel we stayed at is directly above a subway station that runs to Hongdae in a few minutes so it worked out well.
We really liked the Hongdae neighborhood. There are so many fantastic places to eat and drink, walk around, soak up the culture and enjoy more of an authentic experience away from the tourist hordes.
Is Hongdae A Good Place To Stay In Seoul?
Yes, from experience we think Hongdae is one of the best places to stay in Seoul for visitors who want a lively, social and fun area overflowing with a nice blend of touristy, local and quirky places to eat out.
But with so many places you can potentially stay in Seoul, why would you choose a hotel in Hongdae?
Here are just some of our favorite reasons that make Hongdae a great place to stay in Seoul:
- You can easily and safely walk around the Hongdae neighborhood by day and night.
- There are plenty of off the beaten path places to discover.
- You will find a wide range of animal themed cafes such as cats and meerkats.
- You are completely spoiled for choice with an abundance of restaurants and cafes.
- The area is filled with a young, cosmopolitan and easy going crowd.
Overall, we think Hongdae will suit most first time visitors to Seoul but there are also two key negative aspects to consider:
1. The major downside is that Hongdae is a little isolated in the west side of Seoul, which means you will have to contend with lots of long subway rides to get to most top attractions around the sprawling city.
2. Hongdae hotel options are also very sparse, which means you need to book in advance to secure a room at a reasonable rate. Don’t leave it until the last minute like we did!
Not sure where to stay in Seoul? Here’s our popular guide to the 20 best hotels in Seoul so you can see all of your top rated options across the city.
Should You Stay In Myeongdong, Hongdae Or Gangnam?
This is a great question and it is one most visitors (including ourselves) consider before booking a hotel in Seoul.
We decided to stay in both Hongdae and Myeongdong, but we also spent a few days exploring Gangnam so we know all of the areas well.
In truth, any of the three areas will work just fine for a first time visit to Seoul. You will find plenty to do, endless eateries and connections to other parts of Seoul.
We suggest Myeongdong as the overall best place to stay in Seoul for a first visit because it is the most central to major attractions and the most heavily trafficked with tourists.
However, Hongdae and Gangnam are perfectly good alternatives and they will suit certain travelers more so than Myeongdong.
If you have plenty of time in Seoul, why not try splitting where you stay into two different neighborhoods like we did?
Here’s a summary of the other two popular places to book hotels in Seoul:
Myeongdong
Myeongdong is the most heavily trafficked touristy area of Seoul filled with great places to eat, drink and explore.
We really liked the easy access Myeongdong affords to reaching most of the top attractions in Seoul, including the palaces and the nearby N Seoul Tower. The area itself is fun to walk around by day and night but it is very touristy for a city that isn’t especially touristy in general.
If you only have a few days in Seoul, we would recommend staying in Myeongdong because it is central to the city and it does have better transport links.
Want to stay in Myeongdong? Here is our guide to the 8 best hotels in Myeongdong Seoul to read next so you can compare prices, location and quality.
Gangnam
Gangnam is more residential and has a bunch of cool micro-neighborhoods.
There are so many things to do and places to eat spread out around a large area from Gangnam-dero to Yeongdong-dero. It is one of the most authentic places to stay in Seoul.
You would be close to Seoul Sky Observation Deck, Lotte World Tower and Olympic Park, but Gangnam is a long way from the palaces and major tourist attractions in the north of Seoul.
Therefore, you would spend a lot of time on the subway just like staying in Hongdae.
Want to stay in Gangnam? Here is our guide to the 8 best hotels in Gangnam Seoul which shows you the top rated cheap and luxury hotels in the area.
What Are The Best Hotels In Hongdae?
The term best can be interpreted in several ways and it has a different meaning for everyone.
Does best simply mean the highest rated? The highest quality? What about price and location?
In this guide we strive for inclusivity when we show you our version of the best hotels. Our list is based on the highest guest ratings and our own experiences but crucially we include every budget category so that every type of traveler can find the best hotel available.
Are you curious about the best hotels in Hongdae based purely on ratings?
One major difference with hotels in Hongdae versus other parts of Seoul is that you will find several highly rated guesthouses. The guesthouses are essentially hostels, so we won’t include them in this guide but you can always book a much cheaper room if you don’t mind staying in a hostel.
Here are the top 3 hotels in Hongdae according to thousands of reviews from several popular online sources (with at least 100 authentic guest reviews – correct as of July 2023 but subject to frequent changes):
Booking
Hotels (Expedia)
Tripadvisor
Interestingly, the same hotels in Hongdae top the scores across all popular online platforms.
We rarely see such uniform results, but this backs up what we were saying about the selection being so sparse in this area of Seoul.
Ratings are good to use as a guide but they are subjective and will fluctuate over time. Look for hotels with high scores and a high number of ratings. That is the sign of a quality hotel.
One thing to note is that hotels with the best ratings often translate to hotels with the highest nightly cost. And that is why we do not simply list hotels with the highest ratings in our guides.
Are Hotels In Hongdae Expensive?
No, hotels in Hongdae and Seoul in general are not overly expensive when compared to similar popular city destinations in Asia such as Tokyo.
With that said, we do think Hongdae hotels are slightly above average in price for Seoul because there are so few options available and the neighborhood is growing in popularity.
On a positive note, prices at hotels in Hongdae tend to stay fairly consistent throughout the year. As a result, you won’t have to contend with seasonality driving prices through the roof at any point.
On a negative note, we know from first hand experience that hotels book up quickly in Seoul and it is hard to book a high quality hotel at a good price if you leave it until the last minute. You will end up paying over the odds and your hotel choices will be far more limiting.
At the time of writing in July 2023, we have selected 3 future dates for all of the hotels listed in this guide (along with several alternative hotel options) and prices are very competitive.
You can book a room at almost all of the highly rated hotels we have included below for around $120 – $220 per night on a weekday year round, as long as you book in advance.
Hotel Tax In Hongdae, Seoul
Bear in mind when booking your hotel in Hongdae that you will pay 10% hotel tax on top of your base rate.
So let’s say the basic nightly room cost at a cheap Hongdae hotel is $120.00 for one night, your actual total cost is going to be $132.00.
- When booking your hotel using Booking.com look under the price for includes taxes and fees. This means the price you see is final and will not be subject to further add ons.
- Conversely, if you see text reading something like +$30 for taxes and fees, that means you will pay the hotel room cost + the additional 10% tax.
Want to save in Seoul? We highly recommend buying a Discover Seoul Pass if you plan to visit multiple attractions on your visit to Seoul. It will save you a lot of money!
Where To Stay In Hongdae
The neighborhood of Hongdae covers a small area to the west of downtown Seoul.
The Hongdae area is mostly built up around Hongik University subway station, but it does go down as far as Hapjeong subway station close to the river.
You can easily walk between the two subway stations, through a maze of narrow streets packed full with amazing hole-in-the-wall eateries. This is the best place to book a hotel in Hongdae if you want to be in the thick of the action.
If you desperately want to stay in this area of Seoul but Hongdae hotels are either full or too expensive, your best alternative is to stay in Mapo.
Mapo is a less touristy and more business oriented micro-neighborhood closer to Seoul station. It is just 2 subway stops from Hongdae to the Mapo area at Gongdeok station. There are a handful of quality hotels above the entrances to Gongdeok station so you can instantly access the metro network.
Our advice would be to prioritize the Hongdae hotels, then use Mapo hotels as a backup if they suit your budget better.
Hongdae Hotels Map
Let’s take a quick look at an interactive Google Map showing the locations of our 8 best Hongdae Seoul hotels featured in this guide.
Map key:
- Green stars – Cheap hotels in Hongdae
- Red stars – Mid range budget hotels in Hongdae
- Blue stars – Luxury hotels in Hongdae
Click or touch the map to activate.
Zoom in and out, move around the Hongdae area and see exactly where each lodging option is located.
8 Best Hotels In Hongdae
OK, let’s take a look at each of the best Hongdae hotels.
We have hand picked the top 8 Hongdae hotels by compiling and comparing previous guest ratings, location, value for money and our own experiences in the area.
Featured hotels are listed in order of average nightly cost within three price range categories; cheap, mid range and luxury.
We selected three future dates in different seasons and collated prices in order to list with a degree of accuracy.
You will find 2 x cheap hotels, 5 x mid range hotels and 1 x luxury hotels. Each represents a top rated hotel within its price category.
Let’s kick things off with the best cheap hotels in Hongdae Seoul!
1. Dream House Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.8 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, rooftop terrace, free laundry, breakfast available
- Location: West side of Hongdae
Dream House is a highly rated cheap hotel in Hongdae Seoul. This affordable 2 star hotel has double and twin rooms available with private bathrooms, it has a fantastic rooftop garden terrace and a good location within walking distance of the urban indie Hongdae shopping streets.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and facilities the highest at Dream House. Rooms are basic but it looks as though nightly prices are $84 on weekdays and $115 on weekends throughout the year. Dream House has excellent reviews and it is by far the cheapest quality hotel in Hongdae.
>> Book Hotel: Dream House Hongdae
2. Amanti Hotel Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.4 / 10
- Google – 4.2 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center, rooftop garden,
- Location: Northwest side of Hongdae
Amanti Hotel is a bridge between cheap and mid range budget Hongdae hotel categories. Guests can use a small fitness center and a seasonal outdoor pool which is only open from mid-summer onwards. If you can find cheap prices and the pool is open, this hotel could be a steal.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort and cleanliness the highest at Amanti Hotel. Rooms look great and the hotel is located very close to Hongik University station for easy subway access. Reviews aren’t as high as other hotels, but this hotel is more affordable which could suit anyone traveling on a lower budget.
>> Book Hotel: Amanti Hotel Hongdae
3. GLAD Mapo Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.7 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available
- Location: Gongdeok Station in Mapo
GLAD Mapo is a superb hotel near Hongdae Seoul. This affordable and luxury 4 star hotel is located above Gongdeok subway station (which connects directly to Incheon Airport) in Mapo, which means it is 2 stops from Hongdae. It has thousands of excellent ratings and it is closer to Myeongdong.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at GLAD Mapo. We stayed at Lotte City Hotel in Mapo next to GLAD and the instant subway access was incredibly convenient. However, eating out is more difficult in Mapo and the language barrier is even more apparent.
>> Book Hotel: GLAD Mapo Hongdae
4. Mercure Ambassador Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.0 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center, garden, terrace, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available, coin laundry
- Location: Center of Hongdae
Mercure Ambassador is the best hotel in Hongdae Seoul. This luxury 4 star hotel has thousands of exceptional guest ratings and comments across every online booking platform, an unbeatable location within the Hongdae neighborhood and surprisingly affordable rates.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Mercure Ambassador. The next time we stay in Hongdae, we will be booking a room at this hotel in advance to get the best rates. We would recommend this Hongdae hotel to our friends and family.
>> Book Hotel: Mercure Ambassador Hongdae
5. 9 Brick Boutique Hotel Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.5 / 10
- Google – 4.3 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurant and bar, free parking, breakfast available, laundry
- Location: Center of Hongdae
9 Brick is a popular boutique hotel in Hongdae Seoul with excellent ratings, competitive prices and a superb location in the heart of the neighborhood. The lobby, rooms and restaurant with outdoor seating look upscale and free parking is a perk if you plan to hire a car in South Korea.
Reviewers rate comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at 9 Brick Boutique Hotel. This hotel is just steps from the famous Hongdae shopping street and Hongik University subway station is only a few minutes walk. Overall a solid option if you can find good rates.
>> Book Hotel: 9 Brick Boutique Hotel Hongdae
6. Holiday Inn Express Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.6 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center, on site restaurant, city views, coin laundry, breakfast included
- Location: Above Hongik University Station
Holiday Inn Express is one of the most popular hotels in Hongdae for first time visitors to Seoul. It is located directly above the main subway station, provides a quality and free buffet breakfast (which can be hard to get in Seoul!), it is a well known hotel chain and it is reasonably priced.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at Holiday Inn Express. This is the hotel we almost stayed in but it was quite a lot more expensive than Lotte City Hotel in Mapo because we were too late. This is a fantastic hotel with a magnificent location if you can get in with good rates.
>> Book Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Hongdae
7. L7 Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.3 / 10
- Google – 4.2 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available, fitness center, seasonal outdoor rooftop swimming pool (extra cost)
- Location: Center of Hongdae
L7 is another popular and high quality Hondae hotel with thousands of positive reviews. It has a super location in the heart of Hongdae, great rooms and attentive staff. The rooftop pool area looks awesome but it does come at an extra cost (even for guests staying at the hotel) which we think should be void.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at L7 Hongdae. The L7 hotel chain is extremely popular around Seoul and you won’t find many complaints at any location. It is a solid choice for your visit to Hongdae, as long as you don’t mind covering that extra amenity fee for the pool.
>> Book Hotel: L7 Hongdae
8. RYSE, Autograph Collection Hongdae
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center, on site restaurant and bar, breakfast available
- Location: Center of Hongdae
RYSE is the best luxury hotel in Hongdae Seoul. This upscale movie themed Marriott Autograph Collection hotel is perfectly located within Hongdae but it is undoubtably more expensive than all other hotels in this list. If you can stretch the budget for your stay, this hotel should be a certain consideration.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, facilities, cleanliness and location the highest at RYSE. Everything looks classy from start to finish, comments are very positive and it comes in close to the top of every online platform’s rankings. RYSE is where to stay in Hongdae in style!
>> Book Hotel: RYSE, Autograph Collection Hongdae
Best Hotels In Hongdae FAQ’s
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about where to stay in Hongdae Seoul.
What is the best cheap hotel in Hongdae?
Dream House is the best cheap hotel in Hongdae. It has excellent ratings, a great rooftop terrace, a good location within walking distance of the main shopping area and most importantly it has extremely low nightly prices.
What is the best luxury hotel in Hongdae?
RYSE is the most luxurious hotel in Hongdae. It has fantastic ratings and upscale rooms but it is the most expensive hotel in the area. With that said, we think Mercure Ambassador is the overall best hotel in Hongdae because it has the luxurious elements, exceptional ratings and more affordable rates.
Best Hotels Near Hongdae
- Gangnam – 8 best hotels in Gangnam
- Myeongdong – 8 best hotels in Myeongdong
- Seoul – 20 best hotels in Seoul
Our Most Popular Best Hotels Guides
- Las Vegas – 25 best hotels on the Vegas strip
- Los Angeles – 25 best hotels in Los Angeles
- New York City – 30 best New York City hotels
- San Diego – 20 best hotels in San Diego
- San Francisco – 20 best hotels in San Francisco
- Tokyo – Where to stay in Tokyo Japan
We hope this guide to the best hotels in Hongdae helps you book the perfect hotel for your visit to Seoul, South Korea!
Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the hotels in our list of best places to stay in Hongdae Seoul by commenting below.
Happy Booking,
Mark and Kristen
Best Hotels Anywhere
Find this guide helpful? Hit save below to pin it for later!
