InterContinental Hotels Group Stay Forum - HI Seoungbuk Seoul

I've stayed at this hotel 30+ times over the last few years and have been upgraded (as a plat) to a suite on nearly every occasion. There is one suite on each floor and it is room *15, very spacious with a corner sofa, large bed and very large bathroom. There is also a bottle of red wine waiting for me in the room along with a bowl of fruit and some nuts. If you are platinum and are staying on a paid rate (I have been on a few reward stays here too and then only been upgraded 2 out of 4 times) then you will almost certainly get this upgrade.

There's no pool or gym here, but there are lots of restaurants near to the hotel and a gym in the building next door. The staff are exceptionally helpful and have given me customer service way beyond the call of duty on several occasions.

Most of the people staying in the hotel are Korean, with the occasional busload of Japanese tourists and visiting academics for the university.

The hotel is in North East Seoul so is a few tube stops from the centre, bus is fairly close to Myeongdong and Namdaemun. There are two tube stops within 5 - 10 mins walk, Gireum and Seoul University.

There is an excellent rice cake (chap sa dok) shop just around the corner. If you want some rice cake, then PM me for directions. There's also a very good barber across the road (legitimate) where you can get a massage, shave and haircut for around $15. They even clean your shoes for you while you're not looking. Again, PM me for directions if you are interested.

Agree that this is a clean, attractive, and comfortable hotel with helpful staff. I found the rooms nicer than the larger HI downtown (stay was in early 2007). Would definitely stay here again during a future visit to Seoul.

Agree that this is a clean, attractive, and comfortable hotel with helpful staff. I found the rooms nicer than the larger HI downtown (stay was in early 2007). Would definitely stay here again during a future visit to Seoul.

For info, the other HI (near Mapo) became a Best Western a few years ago, now the Seongbuk property is the only HI in Seoul. There are two other IHG hotels though, both IC's next to each other near Coex. I've stayed at both IC's and I still prefer the HI, despite the lesser facilities.

I had two stays here last April (1 night & 3 night), upgraded to the corner suite with bottle of wine and fruit both times. Also got a welcome drink voucher for the bar. Service is excellent, room very clean. Also had a colour fax/copier in room which came in handy. Would definitely stay here again, also stayed at IC at COEX but prefer the HI. Take the bus from the Gireum subway and get off almost outside the hotel. The hotel's own website gives good directions. Airport bus stops outside as well.

Agree with previous posters. We stayed there last year as well as the year before and found it a quite pleasant hotel. Clean, upgraded on every occasion.
Close to everything with public transportation. Highly recommended.

Have been there a few Days ago and can also confirm upgrade to Suite, Bottle of Red Wine, Fruits, Nuts, Voucher for Welcome-Drink and also got a Voucher for Breakfast. Printer/Fax in room was also very useful.

Really a nice Place!


There are two tube stops within 5 - 10 mins walk, Gireum and Seoul University.

Man, You walk fast!! I am not slow but it takes me between 15 and 20 min to walk from Hotel to Korea University tube stop.

Man, You walk fast!! I am not slow but it takes me between 15 and 20 min to walk from Hotel to Korea University tube stop.

The walk is not pleasant to the University station. Also, Gireum station is much nearer. If you take the back streets, max 10 minutes I'd say.

Like all here, always get *15 with all goodies.

The walk is not pleasant to the University station. Also, Gireum station is much nearer. If you take the back streets, max 10 minutes I'd say.

Like all here, always get *15 with all goodies.


Sorry folks, I have to disagree. Although I do recognise the trivialness of the subject matter. :D


The Korea University stop is on the same road as the hotel, you just come out of the hotel, turn right and keep on walking. I find it a very pleasant walk.

Gireum station is not 'much nearer' than the University station. Although I haven't counted each step and compared the distance, I would be surprised if they weren't almost the same. University station may be slightly further away, but there is the added inconvenience of the traffic lights when you walk to Gireum (and also making sure that you don't accidently end up in the red light district).



Man, You walk fast!! I am not slow but it takes me between 15 and 20 min to walk from Hotel to Korea University tube stop

Are you sure that you're not stopping at Dunkin' Donuts on the way, or taking a particulary tortuous route ?

Gireum station is not 'much nearer' than the University station.

OK, 'much nearer' is not fair. It is probably down to my personal preference. I hate the walk down to the university station and therefore it just feels much longer.

I had two stays here last April (1 night & 3 night), upgraded to the corner suite with bottle of wine and fruit both times. Also got a welcome drink voucher for the bar. Service is excellent, room very clean. Also had a colour fax/copier in room which came in handy. Would definitely stay here again, also stayed at IC at COEX but prefer the HI. Take the bus from the Gireum subway and get off almost outside the hotel. The hotel's own website gives good directions. Airport bus stops outside as well.

Well, I also like HI, but prefer IC Coex now that Coex has opened the club lounge with nice spread of food in the evening.

Have been there a few Days ago and can also confirm upgrade to Suite, Bottle of Red Wine, Fruits, Nuts, Voucher for Welcome-Drink and also got a Voucher for Breakfast. Printer/Fax in room was also very useful.

Currently staying at the hotel, just a regular room on the 8th floor. I did get a bottle of red wind and a fruit basket. But I didn't get the drink/breakfast vouchers. I have to call the front desk for vouchers. Lots of local restaurants near the hotel.