Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae by IHG

The location made solo travel in Seoul so easy. Holiday Inn in Hongdae is right by the train station exits, with a CU convenience store downstairs and a full mall in the building. Outside, there are money exchange shops, cafes, restaurants, and just about any kind of store. After a day of walking and shopping, I came back to a clean room and hospitable staff. The front desk let me check in very early and check out late, which I appreciated. My stay was dreamy and comfortable, and it made me fall for Hongdae and Seoul even more. I can’t wait to come back to the same hotel. Highly recommend!

Being connected to AK Mall and right by Subway Exit 4 made getting around so convenient. 7-Eleven, CU Mart, Olive Young, and Daiso are just steps away, and most tour pickups near Exits 3 or 8 were easy to reach. The nearby bus station also made connections simple. Breakfast was good, a smaller buffet but just right for a quick meal before heading out. Laundry and ironing facilities are on Level 16, though you have to walk up there for ironing. I’d stay again. Service was top-notch throughout. We arrived early, and the staff kindly stored our luggage so we could go explore right away. Check-in was quick and smooth. The room was surprisingly spacious and comfortable, with plenty of floor space to spread out and pack our big suitcases without feeling cramped.

The room was comfortable, but freezing cold. In winter there was only a thin comforter and sheet, no blanket, and the thermostat either didn’t work or was shut off at some point. We were on a high floor, and by the time we got it sorted, checkout was near. We used our coats to stay warm, which was a major hassle and set a bad tone. The hotel was foreign-friendly, but the area wasn’t. Staff were pleasant and professional at check-in and checkout. The hotel is inside a shopping mall, and you have to take an elevator up. Breakfast was complimentary and had some variety, but most of the fruit seemed spoiled.

A nice view from the room was a bonus, and the included breakfast was genuinely very good. We stayed during a long Seoul stopover, and the location was extremely convenient. It’s a few floors above the bustle of Hongdae and directly above the airport train station, so we could arrive by train, walk straight to the hotel, and head out to explore. Membership also gave us extended checkout, letting us spend the day in the city before our flight the next day. The room was well designed and clearly sized for a city. The bed felt a bit small for a hotel, though it was as advertised. The main issue was how warm the room got. Staff brought a fan, which helped only a little. I was okay, but my husband struggled with the heat. Keeping the A/C available would make the room much more comfortable.