Hongdae is one of the most fun neighborhoods to stay for first time Seoul travellers or return visitors.
The area has great transport links (and accessible from Incheon Airport via the AREX train), lots of shopping and amazing night-life including lots of K-Pop street performers and an array of restaurants to suit all appetites. Best of all, there are lots of Hongdae hotels big and small to suit all budgets.
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Hongdae really is happening and you’ll never get bored staying here – from late night karaoke to ‘clucking’ good chimaek (beer and fried chicken), there are lots of things to do in Hongdae day and night.
From hotels with city views to budget accommodation, this is our guide to the best Hongdae hotel accommodation in Seoul in 2025.
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Why choose Hongdae hotels to stay in?
We’d recommend checking out our Seoul neighborhoods guide which lists over 10 different districts we’d suggest visiting or staying in while in Seoul including Myeongdong, Seongsu-dong and Gangnam.
Many first timers to Seoul like Myeongdong but if you fancy something with a more varied night-life and more shops, Hongdae could be the place for you.
It has good transport links (which makes it easier to do Seoul day trips) plus you can catch the nightly NANTA show which is a comedy cooking show – or just shop ‘til you drop each night.
Some say Hongdae is a tourist trap which might be true, but it is a fun place to explore. If you’d rather something quieter but still central, we’d recommend staying near Insadong, Dongdaemun or Ikseon-dong.
You might like – 35+ best things to do in Hongdae including Korean photo booths
Booking Seoul / Hongdae hotels – top tips
Once you are ready to start booking your Hongdae hotel(s), there are a few general rules and tips:
- Peak season in Korea is generally classed as the summer months but you’ll also find room rates are likely higher in the winter because of Christmas in Seoul, public holidays and cherry blossom season (usually in April).
- We find agoda.com, expedia.com and booking.com have the best room rates for South Korea / Hongdae hotels.
- Online rates for Seoul hotels are generally better than booking in person. We even had a situation where we tried to extend a Seoul hotel booking at reception (Venue G Hotel) and the staff kindly informed us we should book it on Agoda instead as it would be cheaper!
- If possible, book your Hongdae hotel rooms several months in advance as the room rates tend to increase in the months before you arrive – also consider making use of the ‘cancellable’ room options that some hotel booking sites have like Agoda.
- We watch room rate prices in Seoul a lot and they generally rise the closer you get to arrival – some go up a lot in price, especially Myeongdong and Hongdae. So book well in advance if you can.
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Recommended Hongdae Hotels and Accommodation
Highly rated hotels in Hongdae include:
Luxury ($$$)
L7 Hongdae by Lotte
L7 is the signature lifestyle brand of the famous Lotte hotel group – this is their third luxury L7 hotel in Seoul after L7 Myeongdong and L7 Gangnam.
The location is great as it is close to Hongik University Station (exit 1) plus on the doorstep of one of Seoul’s tastiest neighborhoods, Hongik food street / alley (seriously, so many cool bars with neon lights can be found near here).
The hotel has a restaurant, cafe and a gym plus a rooftop pool – although you need to ensure you book a hotel package that includes pool access (it is also an adults only pool).
From Incheon airport, you can jump on an AREX express train and get to the hotel in less than 1 hour.
Check rates and availability for booking.com, agoda.com, expedia.com and trip.com
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RYSE, Autograph Collection
A 4* Marriott hotel that is just 300 metres from Exit 9 of Hongik University Subway Station, RYSE above…sorry…rise above the Seoul city skyline with some stunning rooms with views and a cool rooftop bar on the 15th floor.
Onsite facilities at Ryse Autograph Collection in Hongdae include a gym, business centre and reading library – some of the rooms are themed too like the Artist Suites.
As well as the rooftop bar, there is a coffee shop on the ground floor plus the groovy grill restaurant CHARR.
Check rates and availability for booking.com, agoda.com, expedia.com and trip.com
You might like – 40 things to do in Seoul at night >
Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae
A stylish 4-star hotel with smart TVs and bluetooth speakers within a short walking distance to the main Hongdae attractions – Mercure Ambassador hotels in South Korea are generally a safe bet with all the usual home comforts.
Facilities include a terrace, garden, fitness centre and bar. Some rooms have a balcony with river views plus the ability to cast your own devices onto the big screen TV.
Key Hongdae attractions like the famous Hongdae Shopping Street or the Trickeye museum are just a few steps away. We also rate the nearby Kyochon fried chicken restaurant (a Korean chicken chain but oh so good).
Check rates and availability for booking.com, agoda.com, expedia.com and trip.com
Mid-range ($$)
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae
Highly rated modern hotel located in a high-rise building above a shopping mall (AK Plaza) close to the subway station (Hongik).
The views of Hongdae from the upper floors are superb and we’ve seen lots of reviews where guests raved about the buffet breakfast and amazing central Hongdae location.
Hotel facilities include a fitness centre, laundry and in-house restaurant.
Check rates and availability for booking.com, agoda.com, expedia.com and trip.com
9 brick Boutique Hotel
A 5 minute walk from Hongik University station, 9 brick Boutique Hotel is a mid priced Hongdae hotel with a small restaurant and bar, city views and a warm welcome.
You may not want to leave the hotel as they have 50” flat TVs with Netflix plus the hotel is home to Time Lab Kitchen restaurants. Lots of cute Hongdae cafes are also within walking distance of the 9 brick Boutique Hotel.
If you want to treat yourself, the penthouse room here has access to a little garden all of your own (complete with an outdoor bath).
Check rates and availability for booking.com, agoda.com, expedia.com and trip.com
Budget ($)
Twin Rabbit Guesthouse
Budget accommodation located close to the Hongik University Station.
Rooms have private bathrooms, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator, plus the guesthouse offers a free washing machine and dryer.
Quadruple and triple rooms are also available at Hongdae’s Twin Rabbit Guesthouse, all with private bathrooms.
Check rates and availability for booking.com, agoda.com and expedia.com
Bunk Backpackers Guesthouse
Our final Hongdae accommodation option is for budget stays and handily located next to Style Nanda Shopping Mall. This is a Hongdae hostel with various room types and dorm sizes (with privacy curtains in place), plus a rooftop terrace for socialising with other guests.
A small breakfast is included in the price and the nearest station to Bunk Backpackers Guesthouse is around 0.5km away – please note the rooms do not have air conditioning
The dorm sizes range from 4 to 6 beds (mixed or female) plus there are twin, double and triple share bedrooms available (some with private bathrooms).
Check rates and availability for booking.com, agoda.com, expedia.com and trip.com
You might like these Seoul neighbourhood guides:
Dongdaemun
Euljiro
Gangnam
Hannam-dong
Hongdae
Ikseon-dong
Insadong
Itaewon
Myeong-dong
Seongsu-dong
Sindang
Or check out our best neighbourhoods in Seoul Guide >
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