Seoul is one of the world’s most exciting cities. If you are looking for a hotel with that legendary Gangnam style (modern and unapologetically chic), without being charged Gangnam-style prices there are some great options tucked away in the South Korean capital’s coolest neighbourhood.
Price is obviously the most important factor here, but cheap can most certainly be cheerful in Gangnam. This list takes the hotel’s location and amenities into consideration along with previous customer reviews from recent months to give it that extra pizazz.
Hotel The Artist Yeoksam
Privates from $69/ night
Unsurprisingly, given the name, there’s a touch of modernism to the design of the rooms at The Artist Yeoksam rendered in austere black and white, with the occasional wooden tones. True to that modernist touch, the rooms also have unbelievably good facilities, including a laptop in some rooms! Flatscreen TVs and refrigerators are included in all rooms, as well as air conditioning, but these elements seem somewhat prosaic given the extras that you get here. There are few cities in the world quite as advanced in this regard as Seoul. The hotel is minutes from Yeoksam station, one stop on the metro from the centre of Gangnam and very much in the thick of things.
Stay Hotel Gangnam
Privates from $82/ night
The Stay Hotel has a fresh, airy feeling, with an almost Scandinavian vibe to some of the rooms. The smart, sophisticated hotel has comfortable, air conditioned rooms stocked with plenty of amenities including a hairdryer, fancy toiletries, bathrobe, refrigerator and a kettle. There is good, fast internet found throughout, but if you’re new to Seoul you’ll quickly learn that this is standard wherever you go in this futuristic city.
M. Biz Hotel
Privates from $55/ night
Although the décor can feel a little dated in places, the rooms’ facilities and price, when combined with the excellent location, will make most guests happily overlook the cosmetic deficiencies of M.Biz Hotel. Breakfast is included in the price, adding further reason to look into a stay here. The location is a little further from Gangnam Station than the other hotels on this list, but still only a couple of minutes by Metro.
Capace
Privates from $83/ night
Capace is a relative newcomer to the hotel scene of Gangnam. This property only opened a couple of years ago and still retains a sleek, fresh vibe. Having been designed with the most modern of travel related concerns in mind, there is little found wanting in the rooms here. A laptop, flatscreen TV shower and bathtub are year-round necessities. Meanwhile mosquito nets may seem surplus to requirements in theory, but will come in extremely useful in Seoul during the summer months.
Princess Hotel
Privates from $65/ night
Apgujeong, where Princess Hotel is situated, presents another side to the Gangnam region. The area is well known for two functions in particular: Shopping and cosmetic surgery. Both are readily apparent in the super chic shopping boutiques and multi-level plastic and dental surgeries. Perhaps counter-intuitively, the area also has some excellent restaurants, although finding good, cheap food anywhere in South Korea is never a struggle. The hotel has neat and comfy rooms, although some feel a little devoid of character. Nevertheless, rooms have good amenities including a stocked bathroom, fridge, kettle, flatscreen TV and small seating area.