Originally Posted by
omghaxcode
I'm looking for an affordable hotel in an area of Seoul that will have easy access to the subway and walkable to decent food options. I'm not a first time visitor but it has been many years so I'd like to be central to the touristy stuff. It seems the main options are Myeongdong and Gangnam. Both have plenty of options under $150. Which stand out at the more affordable price point?
I'll also mention that I need to have some sort of functioning surface to work from, be it a desk or a table. Titanium if that changes anything.
I've heard good things about the Four Points in Gangnam, but it's not the closest to metro stations. Probably a 10-15 minute walk to the closest ones at least. It's not necessarily the closest to touristy stuff, but it is a pretty good location to get to all of the different tourist areas.
If you want to be closer to metro stations, the Ryse hotel is close to useful stations in Hongdae and Hapjeong, and they every time I've used a cert there I've gotten an upgrade. The layouts are quirky, but there are okay work spaces (I can upload pictures from the rooms if needed).
The JW Marriott attached to the express bus terminal station has 3 lines attached to it. I haven't been in a room in a few years, but it's nice although probably needed to be updated from what I saw. Also can be a bit of confusing to navigate that station.
I loved my stay at
Courtyard Seoul Botanic Park. If you need to be in the center (e.g: Gangnam) then it's not a good choice but if you're flexible with location and are looking for a nice hotel to live + work from, while having a nice local area to explore, with subway connections to the rest of Seoul, I think it is a strong contender. Depending on when you're visiting, the price of a suite is within your budget or you can try your chance on an upgrade (I spent 16 nights there in May/June 2024 with a suite upgrade the entire time (I think I was either Titanium or had just reached Ambassador)). The desk is very nice to work from because of the view, I absolutely loved working while looking out of the big window down over the park, and watching the park fill up with people having picnics and taking walks. A very cute location.
The only thing I'd note is it's on line 9 and the line is 100% packed and crazy during rush hour times.