Where to Stay in Myeongdong

Wondering where to stay in myeongdong? Here are my top recommendations (and where not to stay) based on my 10 trips to Seoul, South Korea.

Jump to:

• Lotte Hotel
• IBIS Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong
• Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong
• Hotel Skypark Myeongdong
• Westin Chosun Seoul
• Stanford Hotel Myeongdong
• Ninetree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong
• Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel seoul myeongdong
• Pacific Hotel
• Grand Hotel Myeongdong
• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Seoul Myeong-dong
• Henn Na Hotel Seoul myeongdong

Myeongdong is one of the best neighbourhoods for first time visitors to Seoul IF you don't mind being in a tourist hub. (Myeongdong Street is super duper touristy- I feel like I hear more foreign accents than local ones there, but I can't deny how convenient it is. It's close to most of the tourist attractions, such as Namdaemun Market and Palaces.)

I've stayed there many, many times and here are the different hotels I've tried:

Lotte Hotel

This is a good luxury hotel near Myeongdong which has everything you need: it is connected to Lotte Duty Free, Lotte Supermarket, and Lotte Department Store. (The escalator down to the supermarket and food court is in the hotel lobby so you don't have to venture out when the weather is bad.)

It's only a few minute's walk from Myeongdong shopping street. (There is also a street food stall near the hotel entrance, though the food isn't amazing.)

There's an in-house spa and fitness center: we usually go for a facial at the Sulwhasoo spa but it books up super fast so it's not always possible.

Note that there's a regular tower and an executive tower (lotte hotel seoul executive tower has more spacious rooms)- I won't include too many photos here as I already have a full review of my stays at Lotte hotel Seoul.

If you're mobility challenged, note that Lotte Hotel is across a very busy road from Myeongdong which is not easy to cross above ground. (Most people take the underground pass to cross the road, but the closest entrance to the hotel does not have a lift. I stayed here with my elderly relatives on my last trip to Korea and we had to get a taxi to drive us over to Myeondong.)

On the plus side, the airport bus from incheon international airport will bring you right to the hotel. (The airport limousine bus stop is at the foot of the hotel but there are no hotel staff situated there, so there won't be anyone to help you with your luggage till you reach the main doors which is about 50 steps or so away.)

For other luxury hotels in Seoul, click here.

Note: you're near seoul city hall and there are sometimes demonstrations organized near the hotel. I encountered this on my last trip.

IBIS Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong

The 2 Myeongdong hotels I've stayed at the most are Lotte and IBIS. (Lotte is when I'm splurging and IBIS is for when I'm on a budget.)

This is a no frills hotel with small rooms and small bathrooms (it does have free wi-fi and air conditioning) which is very convenient for Myeongdong as it's located right by the entrance. I chose it as it has washing machines and tumble dryers (essential if you've packed light but are in Seoul for a while in summer. Korean summers are hot and humid, so you'll sweat a lot!)

I also like how the airport bus from incheon international airport brings you right to the hotel. AND the shuttle bus to Shilla Hotel/ Shilla Hotel DFS stops nearby too!

However, the standard has gone down over the years. For example, you can't control the room's temperature- the AC is centrally controlled- so don't stay here when the weather is hot.

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong

Instead of IBIS, I stayed here at Lotte City Myeongdong during my last solo trip to Korea. (Like IBIS, I also has a laundry.) This is a good option if you don't want to spend too much and want to be sort of close to Myeong Dong Shopping Street.

I liked how it has a coffee shop and convenience store on the ground floor. It also has a fitness centre, buffet restaurant, and a (sort of) rooftop bar.

The airport bus brings you very close to Lotte City hotel but doesn't drop you off at the doorstep so you will need to walk a bit.

There is a machine where you can exchange money in the Lotte City lobby (which is not located on the ground floor.) However, I'm not sure how the rate compares to the money changers in Myeongdong.

Note: don't eat at the Korean eatery behind Lotte City- it was the worst Korean food I've ever had in Seoul!

Hotel Skypark Myeongdong

There are several Skypark hotels in Myeongdong so make sure you book the right one:

• Skypark III: I prefer Skypark III, which is located close to the Myeongdong station exit.
• Skypark Central: note some rooms have no windows!
• Skypark 1: I stayed at Skypark 1 hotel a while back. It was OK but I didn't like how it was located in the middle of Myeongdong Night Market, so not an experience I cared to repeat. (Whilst that made it very convenient to pop out for food and shopping, it also felt a tad too hectic.)

Westin Chosun Seoul

This Myeongdong hotel is famous for being Korea's first hotel. Similar to the Westin Busan, the service at Westin Chosun Seoul is good but the rooms and bathrooms are dated. If you like Instagrammable hotels with modern facilities, this won't be the hotel for you.

I booked this for my Mom's birthday a while back: it was a good stay but not memorable enough to make us go back. (Honestly, with so many newer 5-star hotels in Seoul, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere.)

Note that the quality of your stay here can vary by quite a bit, depending on which room you get. Due to the age of the hotel, some rooms are quite run down and the wi fi doesn't even work well in them!

Stanford Hotel Myeongdong

This 3-star hotel has a prime location opposite Lotte Department Store: it's close to the shops and restaurants but not too deep in the busy area. Rooms are quite small and the wait for the elevator can take a while!

It has a coin laundry and water cooler. You can take Airport Bus 6015 from Incheon Airport to this hotel.

Ninetree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong

This hotel is closer to Insadong than Myeongdong shopping street. Some rooms enjoy a view of Namsan Tower.

Note: it doesn't provide complimentary dental supplies (which even motels in Korea do.)

Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel seoul myeongdong

This is located inside the heart of Myeondgong, next to Myeongdong Kyoja, so it can feel quite crowded and noisy.

The room is tiny (and again you can't control the thermostat and no dental supplies are provided) but the service is decent (and they speak good English.) Plus, they have separate 110v outlets for visitors from the States!

If you're mobility challenged or have lots of luggage, I do NOT recommend this hotel as the taxi cannot drive right up to it. (Parts of Myeongdong are pedestrianised.)

Pacific Hotel

Like Lotte, this is located across from Myeongdong street so it's not as noisy as some of the other places on this list.

Unfortunately, like at IBIS, you can't control the thermostat temperature. (To be fair, you get this issue even at some 5-star hotels in Korea.) Like Ninetree, don't expect a free toothbrush here.

Grand Hotel Myeongdong

Just down the road from Myeongdong cathedral and 2-3 minutes from the airport bus drop-off, this hotel is centrally located but thankfully has soundproofed windows.

I looked into staying here during my last stay but I felt the experience didn't justify the prices/ 4-star rating, to be honest. (You can't adjust the room's temperature which makes it a big no for me.)

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Seoul Myeong-dong

I like how the room has USB charging but the rooms can be noisy (the hotel is in the middle of all the restaurants and shops so it can take a while to get back when the streets are crowded.)

There are laundry facilities but only 1 washing machine so you may have to wait.

Henn Na Hotel Seoul myeongdong

Henn Na has a convenient location.

However, older travellers may struggle here as the check-in and check-out is done via a kiosk, and not over the front desk. (There are no reception staff.) Moreover, there is no lobby or waiting area/ seats for one to rest.

In addition, rooms are small and no dental supplies are provided. Personally, I feel there are many better options to stay at in Seoul.

Any questions about the best hotels in Seoul? Let me know in the comments!