Hotels near Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, Seoul

Second time at Mercure and still one of the best value hotels around Hongdae. Everything was cozy and convenient. However, we noticed a smell whenever we enter the room. We have read that sewage smell is also a recurring problem here so we hope the hotel can rectify this.

Traveling during the May Day holiday, prices were inflated, and after comparing a few options, I felt Nine Tree offered the best value for money. I stayed for 4 nights and saved almost 2000 KRW compared to staying in Mapo, which I then used for taxis – a good deal. The hotel is quite close to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village. For other destinations, we took taxis. A taxi to Myeongdong was only about 10-odd thousand won, so taxis in Korea weren't as expensive as I imagined. The surrounding area is very quiet, giving off a vibe of a developed place that's also peaceful. Jogyesa Temple is right across the street, and Insadong is nearby. There were many foreigners staying here. The service, facilities, and cleanliness were all good. My only minor complaint was that the duvet cover felt a bit stiff and crinkled loudly. Also, the windows couldn't be opened, making the room feel a bit dry.

I've stayed at this hotel in Kyoto before and wanted to see if the Seoul branch had the same great environment, but there's a noticeable difference. The air conditioning was simply unacceptable; it was so hot! The AC system is clearly outdated and couldn't regulate the temperature. Even with outside temperatures at -5 degrees Celsius, I was sweating in a short-sleeved shirt and couldn't sleep. The breakfast was pretty much the same every day and quite mediocre. It's fine for a day or two if you're in a pinch, but having it every day at the hotel was a bit much for me. ☹️

The hotel's location is excellent. It's very close to Sinsa Subway Station, and if you stick to the main road, there's no steep hill like some photos online might suggest. It's right next to Seoul Forest, and you can walk to Apgujeong in about 10-15 minutes. There's also a three-story Olive Young just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, which is super convenient! While the rooms aren't huge, the soundproofing is pretty good, and the shower water pressure is absolutely fantastic! If you stay here, definitely make sure to check out the cafe on the top floor – the views are amazing. Overall, highly recommend. (Pics 1 & 2: Hotel rooftop cafe/bar. Pics 3 & 4: Views from the room)

My stay at HOTEL BOTANIK's Deluxe King Room in Myeongdong exceeded my expectations. The room had a modern, apartment-style feel with brand new facilities and full amenities, making it ideal for those planning a longer stay in Seoul. The in-room amenities were definitely the highlight. The air conditioning had a control panel for temperature adjustment, and it came equipped with an AirDresser, a washer-dryer combo, a separate fridge and freezer, an induction hob, and a microwave oven. Inside the cabinets, there was even a wine cooler, wine glasses, and mugs, giving it the feel of a small boutique apartment. Charging was also convenient, with both USB and Type-C outlets available, and the bidet toilet had a full range of functions. The bathroom featured a wet/dry separation design, and the water pressure was consistent, making for a very comfortable shower. However, there were a few things to note: The kitchenware provided was quite basic, with only two plates, which might be insufficient if you plan to do a lot of cooking. Also, laundry detergent wasn't provided in the room, but you could purchase it at the front desk if needed. There are several construction sites near the hotel, but surprisingly, the soundproofing was excellent during my stay, with no noticeable noise at night. My sleep quality was quite peaceful. Overall, this hotel is more of a ”high-functional type” accommodation. The facilities are new and highly practical, feeling more like staying in a well-designed apartment than a traditional hotel. It made for a very comfortable stay.

The room is small and a little boring but you’re paying for the location, and it’s comfortable and clean. There’s a good beer bar, Seoulista, on the ground floor. There’s is an aerial walkway connected, which goes to Seoul Station. You can also use the metro Exit 7 (I think) but it will charge you just for walking through if you are coming from the AirPort Express. The breakfast arrangements are quite eccentric, but I had a good breakfast.

I had a pleasant stay at this hotel during my trip to Seoul. The hotel was nice and clean, and the check-in process was fast and smooth, which made arrival stress-free. Although the room was a bit small, it was still comfortable enough for 3 people. One of the highlights is the location, there are plenty of food stalls around the hotel, offering authentic local bites without the overwhelming crowds you’d find in Myeongdong. Personally, I found this area much more enjoyable and relaxing. The metro station is just a 3-minute walk away, making it very convenient to explore the city. Travel Tip: From the airport, take the train to Seoul Station (either normal or express), then transfer to the blue line to Chungmuro Station. If you’re carrying luggage, Exit 5 is the best choice since it has an escalator — just walk toward Starbucks. Otherwise, Exit 7 is a quicker option. Overall, I would recommend this hotel for travelers looking for a clean, convenient, and well-located stay in Seoul.

The location is good if you want peace, since it's close to Bukhansan National Park and not city centre. The room is very spacious, but the cleanliness was so-so. I found someone's hair on the bedside table, and the tiles in the bathroom weren't very clean. I guess it's what you get for the price. If you're a budget traveller, it's a good choice, if you want something more, look for other places. But the view was amazing.

It's always a nice stay here! The location is very great, olive young is downstairs , and the subway station also downstairs, it's near the airport bus stop too! They have bidet and the toilet is scpacious, the room also spacious, you can store many luggages, they have tables and chairs too for you to eat or have some work, their receptionist lobby and all the staff also very helpful during my stay, definitely recommended, not to mention they have 24h convenient store at the 3rd floor and laundry room

The room looks exactly like the pictures. The bed was really comfortable and clean, with no strange smells (housekeeping came daily to clean and empty the bins). The bathroom was spacious, making for a pleasant shower experience. We chose a quad room, and there was enough space to spread out my luggage. There are also lockers for valuables, but you need to bring your own padlock. The accommodation is on the third floor with no elevator, so it's a bit of a struggle if you have large luggage like I did. Also, the beds don't have curtains, which can make you feel a bit exposed. Since the room is small, any noise, like using the toilet in the middle of the night, is amplified, and I worried about disturbing others. However, for the price, I'm very satisfied! No complaints at all!