Seoul : book your hotel

Seoul is a city where 600-year-old palaces sit inside one of the world’s most wired societies, where monks chant within earshot of expressways, and where dinner routinely stretches past midnight because no one is quite ready to go home yet. Public transport is intuitive, neighbourhoods are distinct and you can eat exceptionally well for pocket change, or spend an evening working through tasting menus that treat fermentation like fine art.

Seoul is South Korea’s capital and cultural engine, framed by mountains and split by the Han River. Historic palaces, contemporary architecture, night markets and a world-class transport system make it easy to move between centuries in a single day. It is a city designed for eating well, walking often and discovering something new every time you turn a corner.

Start in Jongno, where Seoul’s history is most legible. Gyeongbokgung Palace remains the city’s ceremonial anchor, its scale and symmetry a reminder of dynastic confidence. Nearby, Bukchon Hanok Village offers a quieter counterpoint, with preserved traditional houses threading up the hillside. Staying close makes sense here, and ibis Ambassador Seoul Insadong puts palaces, tea houses and small galleries within easy reach.

Myeongdong shifts the mood entirely. This is Seoul in retail overdrive, where skincare, street snacks and crowds compete for attention. ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong sits in the middle of it all, ideal for travellers who want to step straight into the energy. For contemporary Seoul, Hongdae delivers creative chaos, nightlife and a younger pulse. Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae anchors you near live music venues, cafés and late-night eateries.

Down by Dongdaemun, fashion, architecture, and night markets collide. The area is home to the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza and 24-hour shopping centres. Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences offers space, amenities and a rooftop perspective that makes sense of the sprawl.

ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan – Seoul Dragon City pairs playful, colourful interiors with a seriously practical address, directly connected to Yongsan Station and handy for airport links and cross-city trains. Rooms come with city or river views, and the wider Dragon City complex means easy access to cafés, bars and an all-day restaurant that keeps families and business travellers fuelled.

In Gangnam, ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Gangnam puts you within walking distance of COEX and two subway stations, in a lively pocket packed with restaurants, convenience stores and beauty shops. Inside, it is all clean lines and quietly practical comfort with city-view rooms, a simple but satisfying restaurant and reliable Wi‑Fi that makes working or planning the next day’s itinerary straightforward.

Over in Hongdae, Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae brings a slightly more polished take on value-focused midscale travel, right in the middle of one of Seoul’s liveliest neighbourhoods. It is a one-minute walk from Hongik University Station, with rooms that weave in tech touches like IoT controls and Chromecast, plus upgraded bedding and minibars in higher categories, ideal for travellers who want nightlife, cafés, and street performances on their doorstep.

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul sits on the slopes of Namsan, feeling more like a hillside retreat than a city hotel, even though you are only a short drive from Myeongdong and Itaewon. Rooms and suites are generous, many featuring in-room relaxation pools or soaking tubs, and the spa, saunas and outdoor pools give you plenty of excuses to stay put between forays into the city. The surrounding area is leafy and elevated, so evenings come with cooler air, softened city noise, and glittering views across Seoul.

On the northern banks of the Han, Hotel Naru Seoul – MGallery Collection channels a more contemporary, design-forward kind of luxury. Floor‑to‑ceiling windows frame river and skyline views, while interiors pick up on the area’s artistic heritage with sculptural lighting, muted tones and art pieces that nod to the river below. Step outside and you are within easy reach of riverside paths, parks, and bike trails.

Over in Jamsil, Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences blends European‑inflected elegance with big‑ticket Seoul views. Rooms and residences overlook Seokchon Lake, Lotte World Tower and the surrounding skyline, with pastel‑toned sunrises and illuminated skyscrapers adding drama after dark. A cluster of restaurants and bars, a full‑service spa and an indoor pool give the hotel a celebratory edge, while the immediate neighbourhood offers everything from department‑store shopping and theme‑park thrills to relaxed lakefront walks.

Seoul’s mid-range hotels are ideal for travellers who want comfort and character. Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences is a reliable all‑rounder with family‑friendly facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, a rooftop area and multiple dining options that suit everything from quick breakfasts to late‑night bites. Its location near Dongdaemun puts you close to markets, shopping malls and the design plaza, making it easy to blend sightseeing with spontaneous night-time wanders.

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Yongsan leans into convenience, with modern rooms and direct access to a major transport hub that connects subways, regional trains and airport links. It is a strong choice for business travellers and city‑hoppers who value quick transfers and contemporary facilities over being in a single, highly touristic pocket of the city.

Further west, Mercure Ambassador Seoul Magok caters to guests who prefer newer infrastructure and a quieter, more local mood. With modern rooms and a location near emerging business zones and the airport corridor, it suits those who prioritise efficient transit, clean lines and fewer crowds over being right in the middle of the city’s busiest districts.

Seoul takes business travel seriously, and the city’s hotels are built for long days, early starts and back-to-back meetings. This is where fast Wi‑Fi, intuitive layouts and easy transport access matter just as much as polished lobbies. The Ambassador Seoul – A Pullman Hotel is geared toward travellers who want everything under one roof, with well-equipped meeting rooms, reliable all-day dining with a location that makes moving across central Seoul straightforward. It balances business-first practicality with on-site fitness facilities and quiet, well-soundproofed rooms.

Mondrian Seoul Itaewon suits those who like their work trips with a side of scene. Flexible meeting and event spaces make it useful for workshops or small launches, while the hotel’s bars, rooftop pool area and Itaewon location mean after-hours can be as social or low-key as needed. It is a strong fit for creative industries, agencies and teams who blend meetings with networking.

Over in Yeouido, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul anchors the island’s business district with a sharply international feel, pairing sleek rooms and high-ceilinged public spaces with spa and pool facilities that feel almost resort-like. Between meetings, guests can step out to Yeouido Hangang Park and the nearby riverside, where tree-lined paths and seasonal colours.