Seoul is the capital of South Korea and, as such, is a leading cultural and business hub, but it’s also a unique place in that billion dollar buildings sit side by side with ornate Buddhist temples. There are only a few places in the world where you can encounter such a juxtaposition. As a result, there is so much to see and do in Seoul, that you’ll have weary feet by the end of every day.
Remember though, that in Seoul, your hotel room doesn’t need to be the end of your day. With Seoul’s long list of boutique hotels, your holiday can now stretch all the way to relaxing in your hotel room, with every amenity you could ever wish for. So, whatever it is that defines an ideal hotel room for you, we’re sure we’ve got you covered, with our list of the top boutique hotels to suit anyone in Seoul, South Korea, no matter your personality! Make sure to scroll down to the end of this article for a few special accommodation recommendations from Kelsey, a seasoned traveler who recently holidayed in Seoul!
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 30, 2024.
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1. For the modernists: Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel (from USD 48)
This trendy, modern, and quirky hotel is located in Itaewon and it is the perfect location for your weekend of exploring. It’s worth noting that there is a popular late-night club next to the hotel, so it may not be suited for those of you who need to wake up early and still be able to function. We like this hotel for its modernity: expect techy-gadgets, creative artwork, and neon colour accents in the room.
Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel
Address: 221, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu
1.99 km (1.3 mi) from N Seoul Tower
2. For the eco-warriors: Hotel Cappuccino (from USD 93)
Hotel Cappuccino is not only a fantastic hotel with a great location, clean rooms and friendly atmosphere but they also try to teach their guests about environmental issues in Seoul. Walking around the hotel, you’ll be able to spot a number of eco-friendly products! Be sure to take your camera with you up to their rooftop bar, for a sunset drink that you don’t want to miss. Try any of the gin cocktails (it’s their speciality). Shh, don’t tell everyone!
Hotel Cappuccino
Address: 155, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu
6.24 km (3.9 mi) from N Seoul Tower
3. For the cinema lovers: Hotel28 Myeongdong (from 131 USD)
This small, luxury cinema-themed hotel is a classic location to call home for your Seoul trip. In an excellent location, the inside decor is very stylish, with black and deep browns highlighted by mood lighting, which relaxes you after a busy day in the city. The rooms are spacious and exceptionally clean.
Throughout the hotel, be sure to stop and look at the wide variety of cinematic art on display, from celebrity portraits to vintage projectors. You’ll soon start to feel like a celebrity yourself, with the excellent customer service, unique furnishings and your very own free minibar.
Hotel28 Myeongdong
Address: 567-10, Baekdun-ro, Baekdun-ri, Buk-myeon, Buk-myeon, 12406 Gapyeong, South Korea (see map)
Price: from 131 USD
4. For the eclectic designer: Hotel Loft (from USD 99)
This hotel is more of a boutique business hotel than a holiday hotel, purely because of its location. The rooms are luxuriously designed, albeit a bit on the dark side. Some of the rooms feature hot tubs, so be sure to check online if you want to make your stay extra special!
Boutique Hotel Loft
Address: 72, Seonyudong 2-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu
8.1 km (5.1 mi) from N Seoul Tower
5. For those wanting to feel like a million dollars: Karashy Hotel (from USD 99)
Simple yet delicious breakfast with American and Korean dishes, and nearby restaurant choices.
Reasonable pricing for a central location near Sadang station.
Conveniently situated near Sadang subway station with plenty of dining options.
Spacious rooms with beautiful city views, rooftop terrace, and a bathtub.
This boutique hotel just oozes luxury out the door, from its granite style wall panels to the deep leather armchairs and creative design - you’re sure to be impressed! From some of the rooms, you can see an awe-inspiring view over Seoul, especially at night. The rooftop bar is also the perfect place to relax with a cocktail, after a busy day sightseeing, before retiring to bed.
SR Hotel Sadang
Address: 15, Dongjak-daero 1-gil, Dongjak-gu
8.27 km (5.2 mi) from N Seoul Tower
6. For the tech-y business traveller: Glad Hotel Yeouido (from 138 USD)
Located in Seoul’s business district, Glad Hotel Yeouido is a boutique hotel that offers 318 rooms. A top tip is to request a room on the upper floors so that you get wonderful views of the city. Much like the technologically-advanced city, the hotel offers tech-savvy amenities, from docking stations with Bluetooth speakers, speedy Wi-Fi, and an LED TV. Other amenities include an espresso machine and Aēsop toiletries.
Glad Hotel Yeouido
Address: 16, Uisadang-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea
Price: from 138 USD
7. For those who like comfort: Hotel ShinShin Myeongdong (from USD 43)
This cosy hotel greets you with a smiling neon face as you enter and, after a long-haul flight to Seoul, what more could you ask for? The hotel is situated on a quiet street, just far enough away from the humdrum of Seoul but close to a metro station, making getting around easy. This hotel suits those of you who like to put your feet up and have an easy holiday - the location is good, there is a restaurant on site which offers great food for a good value and the staff are friendly, too!
Local Stitch Cityhall
Address: 17-5 Namdaemun-ro 5gil, Jung-gu
1.5 km (1.0 mi) from N Seoul Tower
8. For those looking for community: Kpop Stay (from USD 15)
This guest house is perfect for those of you who are into K-Pop as there is K-Pop memorabilia scattered throughout the building. It’s also a great place if you want to make new friends as this guest house is top ranking for its sense of goodwill, kindness, excellent service and community.
People who stay here may enter as strangers but always leave as friends, particularly as they also offer dorm style rooms. Run by a brother-sister team, this is an ideal location to stay for your Seoul experience.
Kpopstay
Address: 11, Wausan-ro 26-gil, Mapo-gu
5.44 km (3.4 mi) from N Seoul Tower
9. For those needing some space: Hotel Boutique 9 (from USD 96)
Let’s be honest, most rooms in Korean hotels fall short of what, in the western world, we would call ‘spaciousness’, but not at Hotel Boutique 9. The rooms offer plenty of space to move around, so that your room becomes more than just somewhere to fall asleep at night. The rooms are simply decorated in a minimalistic style but with all the amenities you would expect, along with a few extras, such as desktop computers and hot tubs.
For a slightly higher fee you can test out one of their themed rooms, such as the Car Room or Billiard Room, they even have a room with a round bed! They might not be to everyone’s taste but we think that they’re pretty fun!
Hotel Boutique 9
Address: 28, Wangsan-ro, Dongdaemun-gu
4.41 km (2.8 mi) from N Seoul Tower
10. For those who like secrets: N Fourseason Seoul Hotel (from USD 59)
Now, you might be wondering why this hotel is on our list because it doesn’t look like a boutique hotel from the outside, but this hotel holds a secret. This hotel is home to a very special boutique bar, hidden somewhere inside, but you’ll have to visit and find the entrance yourself because some secrets are best discovered on your own!
On top of this, you’ll get excellent rooms, amazing staff and a fantastic location - there really isn’t a bad thing to say about this hotel, even the view is impressive, with some rooms overlooking the palace. You won’t be disappointed!
N Fourseason Seoul Hotel
Address: 100-49 Hoehyundong-1ga Jung-gu
993 meters (0.7 ft) from N Seoul Tower
Hotels recommended by Kelsey, a seasoned traveler
We had a chat with Kelsey, a traveler who has great insights about Seoul, and she recommended a few hotels that she stayed at during her holiday in the city. Check out her inputs on Tria Business & Boutique Hotel and Bonum 1957 Hanok Stay and Hotel in the above video!
11. For the lovers of traditional aesthetics: Bonum 1957 Hanok and Boutique (from USD 143)
This hotel is located in central Bukchon. What’ll strike you about the accommodation is its authentic Korean architectural styles and traditional Korean aesthetics, providing for a unique retreat for guests! There’s a lovely courtyard with lush greenery that offers a pleasant escape.
You can find famous attractions nearby, like Bukchon Hanok Village, which is 360 meters (1181.1 feet) away. Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, 710 meters (2329.4 feet) away, to enjoy the rich history and culture of the city. When you’re hungry, stop by the great restaurants that are only a short distance from the hotel. One of them is Ttukbaegi-jip, which is a local favorite.
Bonum 1957 Hanok and Boutique
Address: 53 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Jongro, Seoul, South Korea, 03052
3.42 km (2.2 mi) from N Seoul Tower
12. For those who like the comforts of home: Tria Business & Boutique Hotel (from USD 104)
Situated in the Gangnam business district, this is a perfect business stopover, or for those of you who like to have a few extra home comforts whilst on your trip. This hotel has an international feel, so you can expect a yummy, American-style breakfast and, for the ladies, both hairbrushes and hairstyling products are provided. There are plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance, should you wish to stay close by.
Tria Business & Boutique Hotel
Address: 16, Teheran-ro 33-gil, Gangnam-gu
7.03 km (4.4 mi) from N Seoul Tower
Settle back and relax in Seoul
No matter which boutique hotel you choose, we know that you won’t be disappointed if it’s one from our carefully chosen list. Seoul is an incredible place to visit and we hope that you have an amazing time.
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