The 11 Best Luxury Hotels in Seoul, South Korea (2023)

FAQs

Where do the rich stay in Seoul? ›

The most expensive area in Seoul, South Korea as of October 2022 was Gangnam-gu with an average apartment selling price of around 2.28 billion South Korean won. The Gangnam area, which includes Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu, Yongsan-gu, and Songpa-gu, is one of the richest neighborhoods in South Korea.

Insadong, Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon, Jamsil, and Bukchon Hanok Village are the best areas to stay in Seoul for tourists because they are the most popular neighborhoods that offer a wide range of attractions and amenities.

Retreat to The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul. Located in the economic epicenter of South Korea, our five-star luxury hotel offers 375 breathtaking guest rooms, including 47 elegant hotel suites and 75 club level rooms – each with exclusive amenities and commanding views of downtown Seoul.

The Hannam-dong neighbourhood is host to a trio of the city's most famous and notable apartment buildings: the UN Village, where celebrities such as Blackpink's Jennie and actress Song Hye-kyo reside in; Nine One Hannam, where Big Bang's G-Dragon purchased a US$7.3 million luxury penthouse apartment; as well as Hannam ...

Itaewon the most westernized district

It is in Itaewon and Haebangchon that foreigners find accommodation the most easily and that the owners are the most accommodating with people who are not Korean, in particular with regard to the rent deposit which can be lower or even nonexistent.

The best time of year to visit South Korea is generally considered to be the spring months of April, May & June, and the autumn months of September, October & November. During these two seasons days are typically sunny and dry with comfortable average temperatures.

For first timers, 6 days and 5 nights are enough to enjoy Seoul and the attractions located in nearby cities such as Everland and Nami Island. But if you have a limited time and budget or just going for a re-visit, a 3-day / 2-night trip to Korea is also quite good.

3 days ( 72 hours in Seoul) is a good amount of time to visit the highlights of the city. 4 to 7 days will give you the time to go hiking, visit more of-the-beaten-path attractions, or take a few day trips from Seoul.

Is 2 weeks in Seoul enough? Yes! 2 weeks in South Korea is the perfect amount of time to see the best places to visit in the country. We've created our 2 week South Korea itinerary at a good pace, so you don't have to rush around every 2 days.

Where do BTS hang out in Seoul? ›

Yoojung Sikdang (운정식당)

Yoojung Sikdang, located in Gangnam, is a restaurant the BTS members often visited during their trainee days!

The residence is located in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, which is about a three-hour drive from Seoul.

Honolulu is the closest to most of China, Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan and Australia.

SM Town SUM Cafe

Likewise, you may also get to spot Korean celebrities who are there to have a cuppa while waiting for their idol friends to meet them. Simply head to 20-8 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea to visit the SM TOWN SUM Cafe and spot Korean celebrities!

Myeongdong is very similar to Hongdae, but better, with less nightlife scene and crowds. There are a lot more restaurants here and most of the most famous and international chains (shopping and restaurants) can be found here. Myeongdong is the best district to stay in Seoul.

Lee's 2,862-square-meter mansion located in Yongsan, central Seoul, was valued at 28 billion won ($21.6 million) for 2023, down 9.9% on-year, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's assessment.

South Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world, leading to foreigners being a rare sight. Despite this, native residents of Seoul are more used to seeing foreigners than residents of other South Korean cities and are generally quite ready to help foreigners feel welcome in the city.

Foreigners from visa-exempt countries are able to stay in South Korea for 30 to 180 days without a visa, depending on which country they are from. This list includes the US, South Africa, Australia, Canada, the UK and most EU countries.

You will likely need a temporary employment visa (C-4) to rightfully move to Seoul and take up gainful employment. In any case, you should contact your nearest South Korean embassy or consulate for details regarding your visa application.

I would budget at least $1000-$2000, just to be on the safe side, not including your accommodation and school budget. Korean food isn't to expensive when you're in a group or getting something cheap like gimpab. What's going to get you is the accommodation.

What are the cheapest months to fly to Korea? ›

January is the cheapest month for airfare to South Korea, and it's a prime time for avoiding the crowds and partaking in winter sports activities. But if below-freezing temperatures are not your thing, the next most affordable (non-winter) months to fly are November, October and March.

High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to South Korea is March. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Korea flight deals.

This depends on your style of travel, but a mid-range budget for a solo traveler spending 10 days in South Korea would be about $65USD per day. If you're willing to stay in cheap hostels, stick to more free activities in Seoul, and eat local foods, then you could get it down to maybe $40USD per day.

For those on a mid range budget, 120 000 krw should be enough and for those on a luxury budget, a minimum of 200 000 krw should be ok. It is recommended to bring at least around 200$ in cash. You can use this in places that don't accept cash or in emergencies.

The statutory working hours in Korea are eight hours per day and 40 hours per week, unlike the US and the UK, which regulate only weekly working hours. Germany only regulates daily working hours, not weekly. As for overtime work, Korean law strictly limits the hours per week.

How much money will you need for your trip to South Korea? You should plan to spend around ₩118,323 ($96) per day on your vacation in South Korea, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

As shown, more than 80% of Seoul was rated as walkable. However, only 0.8% was rated as a “walker's paradise” (the highest level). On the other hand, approximately 5.1% of all areas received Walkability Scores of less than 25, which indicates high rates of car-dependence.

The Five Royal Palaces in Seoul are Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Gyeonghuigung Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and remains the largest of all five palaces.

Seoul's landmark attraction is none other than Namsan Seoul Tower, located atop Namsan Mountain in the center of the city. The tower draws in visitors year-round, and is most famous for its nightscape view of the city.

Where do Koreans go on vacation? ›

In absolute numbers, far more South Koreans visit countries such as Japan and Vietnam. Still, South Korean tourists visit the Philippines more than any other travelers — a situation which did not happen by accident.

Although the culture around hugging is changing, hugging in Korea is generally reserved for couples or for close friends or family that are saying goodbye for a long while. Instead, if you want some skin, you can opt for the universally acceptable high-five ;).

Seoul Neighborhoods

Debatably the most popular with visitors these days is Hongdae, known for nightlife & cute cafes, as well as affordable accommodation in Seoul. Another very popular Seoul neighborhood is Gangnam, the central downtown area known for shopping & nightlife.

BTS decided to move to the exclusive neighborhood of Hannam, whose apartment complex The Hills is one of the most luxurious.

Things to do in South Korea

momondo recommends 11 hotels near Hongdae Area and on average, area hotels cost $75/night. This price may vary based on season. Hotels near Hongdae Area are typically 26% less expensive than the average hotel in South Korea, which is $102.

Jeonju Hanok Village

Located on the edge of the industrialized city of Jeonju, this charming village features over 735 traditional Korean hanok houses which retain much of the historical charm of its time.

Lee's 2,862-square-meter mansion located in Yongsan, central Seoul, was valued at 28 billion won ($21.6 million) for 2023, down 9.9% on-year, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's assessment.

Gangnam is South Korea's Beverly Hills.

What time of year is cheapest to fly to Korea? ›

January is the cheapest month for airfare to South Korea, and it's a prime time for avoiding the crowds and partaking in winter sports activities. But if below-freezing temperatures are not your thing, the next most affordable (non-winter) months to fly are November, October and March.

Book at least 4 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to South Korea is March. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest South Korea flight deals.

This depends on your style of travel, but a mid-range budget for a solo traveler spending 10 days in South Korea would be about $65USD per day. If you're willing to stay in cheap hostels, stick to more free activities in Seoul, and eat local foods, then you could get it down to maybe $40USD per day.