Where to Stay in Hongdae, Seoul: 10 Accommodations In This Trendy Area - Updated 2024

where to stay in seoul
Jen
Jen 
Updated
| 8 min read

Hongdae is easily coming to be known as the best area to stay in Seoul, Korea. It is Seoul’s new cool and artsy district smack bang in the middle of Mapu Gu and surrounded by multiple universities. Hongdae is still affordable even though it is becoming pricier by the day! People are catching on to its vibe, so before they all get booked up, we have for you a mixture of best value prices for bunks/singles and double beds. Our favorite places are UWA Guesthouse, Gateway Korea Guesthouse, Urbanwood Guesthouse, Hongdae Stayin, and Hi Jun the Style. And we’ve now updated our list with Hotel The Designers Hongdae, Twins Guesthouse, and Able Guesthouse Hongdae - all excellent places to stay in Hongdae (and close to Hongik University Station) and popular with travelers too! Read on for more details on where to stay in Hongdae, 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 April 04, 2024.

1. RYSE, Autograph Collection (from USD 241)

RYSE, Autograph Collection is another stylish and trendy stay in Seoul that’s perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families. It is within walking distance to Hongdae Subway Station (Line 2, Jungang Line, and Airport Railroad) and downtown Hongdae, where you can find some of Seoul’s top shopping malls. Each room in this rental has a smart TV, a Bluetooth speaker, as well as a private bathroom with specially designed bathrobes and a rain shower. They also offer family rooms with amenities to suit the guests’ needs. Guests also enjoy staying at the property’s rooftop lounge and bar.

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RYSE, Autograph Collection

Wheelchair accessible

Address: 130 Yanghwa-ro, Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, 04038
339 meters (0.3 ft) from Hongdae Street

2. Hotel The Designers Hongdae (from USD 169)

One more for you to pick that has an awesome location. Hotel The Designers Hongdae is not only within 3 minutes of walking distance to Hapjeong Subway Station (Line 2), it offers slick, stylish rooms that are spacious and feature all modern amenities, including free WiFi and an electric kettle (morning cuppa sorted for late risers!). Walk in to their in-house Italian restaurant for all-day a-la-carte menu as well as the sumptuous breakfast spread. It is one of the few hotels near Hongik University in Seoul.

The neighborhood is perfect for travellers interested in combing the streets for quaint cafes and local shops. The hipster area around Hongik University is a mere 10-minute walk away, while Myeongdong is a 25-minute ride away. Other attractions you can easily explore are National Museum of Korea (6.4 km or 4 miles) and Jongmyo Shrine (7.2 km or 4.4 miles) as well as I'Park Mall and Namdaemun Market that are around 5 km (3.1 miles) away.

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Hotel The Designers Hongdae

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille Visual Aid: Tactile

Address: 86, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu
750 meters (0.5 ft) from Hongdae Street

Parking 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Non-smoking rooms Facilities for disabled guests Family rooms Free parking Internet services Lift

3. Hi Jun The Style Guest House (from USD 44)

If you are looking for homey accommodations, Hongdae, Seoul has a handful of rental that can give you this vibe. Hi Jun The Style Guest House is a place that guests love because the owner is just an awesome guy! This rental is located only 2 minutes away from Hongik University metro stop, giving it an unbeatable location and they only offer private rooms. They have singles, doubles, triples and family rooms on offer starting as low as 42 USD! Most rooms will have their own bathroom (if you pay a little more) but others will all have shared bathrooms. If you book a bigger room, they will even include a seating area to relax in after a busy day!

Of course, they offer free WiFi, access to a kitchen and they are the closest property to Gimpo International Airport, which is only 11 km (6.8 mi) away.

Address: 5, Donggyo-ro 25-gil, Mapo-gu, Mapo-Gu, 03992 Seoul, South Korea

Stayed at this property?

Hi Jun Guesthouse

Wifi Available

Address: 105, Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu
939 meters (0.6 ft) from Hongdae Street

Garden Non-smoking rooms Internet services Express check-in/check-out Heating Luggage storage WiFi Available Free WiFi

4. Able Guesthouse Hongdae (from USD 37)

It’s hard not to like this cosy guesthouse with heated floors and warm people. Exuding a hipster vibe, the accommodation doles out free breakfast, but you may need to fix your own while chatting up with fellow travelers. The no-frills rooms are all equipped with air-conditioning and heating and come with private baths, cable TV and free WiFi. What else can you ask for! There are both private and dorm rooms - just take your pick. All of them have great Internet coverage. The rooftop space and shared lounge area are perfect for mingling, while the on-site free parking takes care of rented cars for the road trippers.

Located only a 5-minute walk from Hongik University Subway Station (Airport Rail Line and Line 2), you’re surrounded by some of the popular pubs, shops, and cafes in Seoul. Venture a little further and you’ll find yourself near attractions and marketplaces like Namdaemun Market, Dongwha Duty-Free Shop, Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, and National Museum of Korea - to name a few.

Stayed at this property?

Able Guesthouse Hongdae

Wifi Available

Address: 2F, 7-8, Wausan-ro 29ma-gil, Mapo-gu
251 meters (0.2 ft) from Hongdae Street

24-HOUR FRONT DESK Terrace Non-smoking rooms Laundry Family rooms Internet services Express check-in/check-out Heating

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5. Gateway Korea Guesthouse (from 35 USD)

This property caters to solo travelers and offers a dorm setup, or double rooms for couples or two friends. The property is located in a quiet residential neighborhood 500 meters (1,640 feet) from Hapjeong Subway Station (Lines 2 and 6). Gateway Korea Guesthouse offers both free WiFi and a free continental breakfast for guests. Their simple rooms have air-conditioning in the summer and heating systems for the winter months. Bathrooms at this guesthouse are shared and towels, shampoo, and conditioner are provided. There is a shared kitchen just in case you want to cook and lounge areas to relax in throughout the guesthouse. If you are heading out early and need to store anything they do provide a luggage storage service upon request.

If you want to head to the popular Hongdae area, you can either walk 15 minutes or so right down the street or take a quick five minute subway ride from the property on Line 2. Incheon International Airport is a 45-minute drive from Gateway Korea Guesthouse or about an hour and 10 minutes on the subway from Hapjeong station.

Address: 2F, 50, Dongmak-ro 3-gil, Seoul, SO (see map)

Price: from 35 USD

Contact: +82 01068183103

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6. UWA Guesthouse (from USD 7)

UWA Guesthouse is one of my personal favorites in all of Seoul to stay for weekends in town. This property is located in Hongdae, a short 6 minute walk to Hongik University metro station. This is really a great area to stay in as it is quiet, but still well connected to anything and everything you want to see in Hongdae. Across the street you have 52nd Street Bar, a cool beer bar playing 80’s and 90’s music on large screens. Nearby you have the popular Han River to walk along, at only 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away.

As soon as we walked in here I felt at home, the common areas were well equipped with TV’s and bean bag chairs, and the place was spotless. Included with your rate is a free simple breakfast of toast, coffee and tea is served in the mornings. Double rooms here go from a mere 30 USD, and for that price we had everything we needed and more. You will have a shared bathroom in this property but it was also spotless, which included hot-water showers and hairdryers. Individual lockers are provided as well. If you have an extended stay here at UWA Guesthouse, you will find barbeque facilities and a shared kitchen where hot meals and snacks can be prepared. Other facilities offered include a tour desk, luggage storage space and laundry facilities. This affordable self-catering accommodation provides clean and comfortable rooms with air conditioning. Free Wi-Fi access is available in this guesthouse.

This area is best for travelers interested in cafés, gourmet food and shopping for clothes. It is only an 8-minute walk from the vibrant streets of Hong Dae. Incheon International Airport is 50 minutes away by car.

Stayed at this property?

UWA Guesthouse

Address: 96, World Cup buk-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu
501 meters (0.4 ft) from Hongdae Street

7. Urbanwood Guesthouse (from USD 52)

Traveling with some friends to Seoul? This is a great pick for you. They offer double and triple rooms to accommodate 4-6 people in this guesthouse. Situated inside the artsy scene of Hongdae, Urbanwood Guesthouse is just a 2-minute walk from Hongik University station. Their rooms are bright, colorful, and are equipped with air conditioning and heating systems. Offering complimentary WiFi access, it will keep you connected throughout your trip to Seoul! They also include an en suite bathroom with shower facilities and toiletries for all room types.

Staff at their 24-hour front desk can help you out if you need to do laundry or store your stuff while you explore. Guests have complete access to the really clean and nice shared kitchen (just in case you want to cook), a barbecue and a lounge, which also has a desktop computer for your use. A simple but filling daily breakfast of bagels with cream cheese, with a side of fruits, coffee and juices are served.

If you love shopping, this guesthouse is only an 18-minute drive or cab ride from the best shopping options at Myeongdong’s malls, local markets, and underground shopping. If you are flying out from Seoul, Gimpo International Airport is a 25-minute drive away, while Incheon International Airport is a 50-minute drive away. You can also easily jump on the subway from Hongik University to both of these international airports.

Stayed at this property?

8. Time Traveler Relax Hongdae (from USD 15)

This brand new guesthouse has only been open for two months and is already one of the top rated cheap places to stay in the Hongdae area. Situated closer to the East side of Hongdae, and our farthest pick from the subway (at about a 10 minute walk) lies Time Traveler Relax Hongdae Guesthouse. This is a great pick for solo travelers, couples or friends as it has dorms or twin/double rooms only. All rooms have shared bathrooms here, as well as a shared kitchen if you wish to cook. With prices starting as low as 18 USD per night for a dorm room or 42 USD per night for a double room, how could you say no?

Here you will still be close enough to the Hongdae area bars, restaurants and shopping, but far enough away for some peace and quiet at night. If shopping is your thing, you will be only 4.2 km (2.6 mi) from Namdaemun Market and Dongwha Duty Free Shop is also only 4.2 km (2.6 mi) away. If you are flying out of Gimpo International Airport, this property is the closest to it on our list at only 12 km (7.4 mi) away.

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9. Grape Garden House (from USD 14)

You’ll surely love the chill vibes and ambiance of the stylish Grape Garden House. Each of the rooms in this rental has a hardwood flooring finish, a flat-screen cable TV, and a private bathroom fitted with a shower and a hairdryer. Garden Grape House also offers family rooms and also offers a communal kitchen and a shared lounge for the guests’ convenience. WiFi is available in all areas. The place also offers free parking for its guests.

Stayed at this property?

Grape Garden House

Address: 54-11, Wausan-ro 29ga-gil, Mapo-gu
263 meters (0.2 ft) from Hongdae Street

Internet services Free WiFi Family rooms Non-smoking throughout Shared kitchen Ski storage Non-smoking rooms Private parking

10. Twins Guesthouse (from USD 32)

Come home to Joy and Jessie’s warm hospitality as the hosts, who are easily reachable by messages, are more than willing to direct you to some local gems. The air-conditioned rooms, though basic, are done tastefully and make you feel right at home. With free WiFi, American breakfast, and strategic location, this guesthouse is a glorious find! They’ve also thrown in a seating area - to entertain company, if you will - and a working desk should you need to pen your travel thoughts.

The Exit 2 of Hongik University Station is just steps away, connecting you to rest of Seoul. You’re also close to popular landmarks like I'Park Mall, Dongwha Duty Free Shop and Namdaemun Market (all around 5 km/3 miles away). But don’t forget to explore your neighborhood as it’s well-known for artsy coffee shops and shopping pockets.

Stayed at this property?

A trendy place to call home

We hope you found your new place to call home in Seoul from our budget and value list, even if it is just for a few days. These properties have been tried and tested by real people, who thought they stood out and deserved recognition, so we hope you do too!

Frequently asked questions about where to stay in Hongdae, Seoul


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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I am originally from New Jersey, went to college in New York City, and have since lived in Chicago, Las Vegas, Sydney, Prague and now Daegu, South Korea. I love exploring new places, learning new...Read more

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