Best Hotels in Myeongdong (2026): 10 Picks by Budget, With the Right Subway Exit

Looking for the best hotels in Myeongdong (명동)? Good choice of area. Myeongdong is the easiest base in Seoul for a first trip: airport buses stop by the big hotels, Line 4 runs two stops to Seoul Station, and the street food, K-beauty shops, Namsan and the palaces are all close. The catch is that “Myeongdong” on a booking site can mean anything from right above the subway to a 15-minute uphill walk. Below are 10 hotels we’d suggest to a friend, sorted by budget, with the station exit to use, who each one suits and the downside nobody puts in the photos.

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Last checked: October 2026. Rates change daily; ranges below are rough guides, not quotes. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026).

First time in Korea? Start here: our step-by-step guide from landing to your first day.

How we picked these Myeongdong hotels

We haven’t slept in all ten, so here is how this list was made. Every hotel was checked as open in 2026 on at least two sources (the hotel’s own site or a major booking site, plus a 2025–2026 guide or recent reviews). We picked for location first (a short walk to Myeongdong, Euljiro 1-ga or another nearby station), then for what recent reviews keep repeating, good or bad, and price. Where a hotel has changed recently, we say so: the biggest change of 2026 is that Lotte Hotel Seoul is now The Grand Lotte Seoul after a 15-month renovation.

Price ranges come from a Seoul hotel guide updated in September 2026 and are typical standard-room rates, not deals. Where we couldn’t confirm a range, we give the price level only.

Quick picks

• Best value near the action: Hotel28 Myeongdong.
• Best for airport buses and the subway: L7 Myeongdong.
• Best quiet mid-range: Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong.
• Best for young travelers on a budget who want a social vibe: Moxy Seoul Myeongdong.
• Best luxury: The Grand Lotte Seoul (formerly Lotte Hotel Seoul) or The Westin Josun Seoul.

Myeongdong hotels compared

Walking times are from hotel and booking-site listings and assume no luggage. Check the route from your exit on Naver Map before you book, especially on the Namsan side, which slopes uphill.

Budget-friendly hotels in Myeongdong

True budget rooms (under about ₩100,000) are rare in the middle of Myeongdong. The best-value hotels sit on the edges, toward Euljiro and Chungmuro, where you trade a few minutes’ walk for a bigger room or a lower rate.

G2 Hotel Myeongdong (G2 호텔 명동)

Budget: Budget to lower mid-range; rates vary a lot by date.
Getting there: 24 Supyo-ro, between Euljiro 3-ga and Chungmuro stations, about 5–7 minutes on foot. The main Myeongdong streets are about 5–10 minutes away.

Good for: travelers who want a clean, simple base a little away from the evening crowds.
Why we like it: consistently described as clean and practical, with a 24-hour gym and a rooftop garden; quieter at night than the hotels in the middle of the shopping streets.
Watch out for: simple, basic design, and a longer walk to the Line 4 exits than the hotels below.
Check-in tip: listings say there is no after-hours check-in after midnight, so message the hotel if your flight lands late.

Map — G2 Hotel Myeongdong: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

Hotel28 Myeongdong (호텔28 명동)

Budget: about ₩110,000–170,000 (~$83–128) a night.
Getting there: 13 Myeongdong 7-gil, about 5 minutes from Euljiro 1-ga Station (Exit 5 or 6) and about 6 minutes from Myeongdong Station.

Good for: couples and solo travelers who want character on a mid budget.
Why we like it: a small, film-themed boutique hotel with a rooftop lounge, and very high guest scores on the major booking sites.
Watch out for: you’re right in the shopping grid, so expect busy streets outside until late evening.
Check-in tip: if you arrive before check-in, drop your bags at the desk and head straight out: the street food starts a few blocks away.

Map — Hotel28 Myeongdong: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

Hotel Skypark Central Myeongdong (호텔스카이파크 센트럴 명동점)

Budget: about ₩130,000–200,000 (~$98–150) a night.
Getting there: 16 Myeongdong 9-gil, about 250 m from Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2); listings point to Myeongdong Station Exit 8 as roughly 400 m away.

Good for: shoppers and short stays who want to be in the middle of things.
Why we like it: modern, functional rooms, staff used to international guests, a rooftop terrace, and the airport bus stops are a short walk away.
Watch out for: there are several Skypark hotels in and around Myeongdong, so make sure you book the Central branch if this is the one you want.
Check-in tip: rooms are compact; with two large suitcases, ask for a bigger room type when you book.

Map — Hotel Skypark Central Myeongdong: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

Mid-range hotels in Myeongdong

L7 Myeongdong by Lotte (L7 명동)

Budget: Mid-range.
Getting there: 137 Toegye-ro, about 50 m from Myeongdong Station Exit 9 (Line 4). Guests say the airport bus stop is a few steps away.

Good for: first-time visitors, airport-bus arrivals and anyone who wants the subway at the door.
Why we like it: about as close to Myeongdong Station as you can get, modern rooms, a rooftop bar, and the main shopping street and night market a short walk away.
Watch out for: Exit 9 has no elevator or escalator; with heavy bags, guests suggest using Exit 1 (elevator) or Exit 3 (escalator) across the road.
Check-in tip: it’s also an easy start for the Namsan cable car, which is uphill from here.

Map — L7 Myeongdong by Lotte: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong (롯데시티호텔 명동)

Budget: Mid-range.
Getting there: 362 Samil-daero, on the Euljiro side. Booking sites list Euljiro 3-ga Station Exit 1 (Lines 2 and 3) at about 3–6 minutes on foot; the hotel says Myeongdong Station is also walkable.

Good for: families, business travelers and anyone who wants a big, predictable chain hotel.
Why we like it: a large hotel (around 430 rooms) on a main road, slightly away from the evening crowds, with two subway lines at Euljiro 3-ga.
Watch out for: you’re on the edge of Myeongdong, about 10 minutes from the main street-food lanes.
Check-in tip: this is a Lotte City Hotel, not the luxury Lotte flagship by Euljiro 1-ga, so check the address on your booking.

Map — Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong (소테츠 호텔즈 더 스프라지르 서울 명동)

Budget: about ₩170,000–270,000 (~$128–203) a night.
Getting there: 15 Namdaemun-ro 5-gil, on the quieter west side near City Hall and Namdaemun. The hotel lists Hoehyeon Station Exit 7 (Line 4) at about 7 minutes, with elevators and escalators.

Good for: light sleepers and travelers who like calm, orderly Japanese-run hotels.
Why we like it: very well kept, consistent service and a better breakfast than you might expect; the walk to Namdaemun Market and City Hall is short.
Watch out for: rooms are compact, and the route from City Hall Station Exit 7 has no elevator and ends with a three-minute uphill walk.
Check-in tip: with luggage, use Hoehyeon Exit 7 or City Hall Exit 1 (both with elevators), as the hotel’s own directions suggest.

Map — Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

Moxy Seoul Myeongdong (목시 서울 명동)

Budget: Mid-range.
Getting there: 38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, about 3–5 minutes from Myeongdong Station Exit 5 (Line 4). It shares the building with Le Méridien (below).

Good for: young travelers and friends who’d rather spend on food and shopping than on a big room.
Why we like it: a playful, social hotel where you check in at the bar, with lounge space to hang out and Marriott Bonvoy points.
Watch out for: rooms are designed to save space, so they’re small, and the lobby can be loud in the evening.
Check-in tip: make sure you pick the Moxy entrance and desk, not Le Méridien’s.

Upscale and luxury hotels in Myeongdong

Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong (르메르디앙 서울 명동)

Budget: about ₩290,000–460,000 (~$218–346) a night.
Getting there: 38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, the same building as the Moxy, about 3–5 minutes from Myeongdong Station Exit 5 and about 7 minutes from Euljiro 1-ga.

Good for: couples and Marriott members who want a newer upscale hotel.
Why we like it: opened in 2022, with contemporary rooms and a club lounge; it sits a little back from the busiest shopping lanes, so nights are quieter.
Watch out for: you pay luxury prices without the big-hotel facilities of the Lotte or Westin.
Check-in tip: Marriott describes it as a dual-brand building with Moxy, so double-check which hotel your taxi or booking says.

Map — Le Méridien and Moxy Seoul Myeongdong: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

The Grand Lotte Seoul (formerly Lotte Hotel Seoul) (더그랜드롯데 서울)

Budget: Luxury.
Getting there: 30 Eulji-ro, right by Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 8 (Line 2), about a minute’s walk. It’s connected to Lotte Department Store and Lotte Duty Free.

Good for: luxury travelers, big shoppers and families who want everything under one roof.
Why we like it: Seoul’s classic Lotte flagship reopened under the new name on August 14, 2026, after a 15-month renovation of the main tower’s guest floors, which cut the room count to make rooms bigger; Myeongdong’s main street is across the road.
Watch out for: some booking sites and maps may still show the old name, and the new rooms are new, so there are few long-term reviews yet.
Check-in tip: the Executive Tower is part of the same complex; read the room name to see which tower you’ve booked.

Map — The Grand Lotte Seoul: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

The Westin Josun Seoul (웨스틴 조선 서울)

Budget: Luxury.
Getting there: 106 Sogong-ro, on the west edge of Myeongdong, about 5–6 minutes from City Hall Station and about 7 minutes from Euljiro 1-ga.

Good for: travelers who want a classic five-star with a pool, a little calmer than the Lotte.
Why we like it: an indoor pool and spa, well-regarded restaurants and the historic Hwangudan altar next door; Lotte Department Store and the shopping streets are a few minutes away.
Watch out for: it’s one of the priciest options here, and City Hall is a short walk rather than right outside.
Check-in tip: if you’re flying in, some airport limousine routes stop at major hotels around City Hall; ask the hotel which route is closest on your dates.

Map — The Westin Josun Seoul: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

Which part of Myeongdong should you stay in?

• Around Myeongdong Station (Line 4): the most convenient for the airport bus, Seoul Station and Namsan. L7, Moxy and Le Méridien are here.
• Euljiro 1-ga (Line 2): the north side, by Lotte Department Store and the top of the shopping streets. The Grand Lotte, Hotel28 and Skypark Central.
• City Hall and Hoehyeon: calmer, close to Namdaemun Market and Deoksugung. The Westin Josun and The Splaisir.
• Euljiro 3-ga and Chungmuro: the east edge, quieter and usually better value. G2 and Lotte City Hotel.

Not sure Myeongdong is right for you? Compare it with Hongdae, Jongno and Seongsu in where to stay in Seoul, or try a night in a traditional house with our hanok stays in Seoul guide.

If Myeongdong is full: stay near Seoul Station

On K-pop concert weekends and Korean holidays, Myeongdong fills up first. Seoul Station is two stops away on Line 4, has the AREX airport train and the KTX, and is usually a little cheaper. Our hotels near Seoul Station guide has picks by budget, and Seoul Station luggage storage covers the gap between checkout and your train.

Booking tips for Myeongdong hotels

• Check the exit, not just the station. Myeongdong Station has many exits on both sides of a busy road. Look up your hotel’s exit in our Seoul subway guide or on Naver Map.
• Airport transfer: from Incheon, take the AREX to Seoul Station and Line 4 two stops, or an airport limousine bus that stops near the big hotels. Routes and times are in Incheon Airport to Seoul.
• Arriving early: hotels will usually hold your bags; if not, see Myeongdong luggage storage.
• Toiletries: since March 2024, hotels with 50 or more rooms can’t hand out free single-use toiletries, so bring a toothbrush (Korea packing list).
• Book early for December: the department store light shows and year-end holidays fill Myeongdong hotels quickly.

Accessibility: suitcases, strollers and wheelchairs

• Flattest walks: the main shopping streets and the area around Euljiro 1-ga are flat and pedestrianized, though crowded in the evening.
• Uphill: the Namsan side (south of Toegye-ro) and the lanes toward City Hall climb in places. The Splaisir’s route from City Hall Exit 7 ends uphill.
• Elevators: not every subway exit has one. At Myeongdong Station, guests near L7 recommend Exit 1 (elevator) or Exit 3 (escalator) instead of Exit 9.
• Need an accessible room? Email the hotel for bathroom photos before booking.

FAQ

Is Myeongdong a good area to stay in Seoul?
Yes, especially on a first trip. It’s central, easy from the airport, walkable to Namsan and Namdaemun Market, and a short ride to the palaces.

What is the best hotel in Myeongdong?
For luxury, The Grand Lotte Seoul (the renamed Lotte Hotel Seoul) or The Westin Josun Seoul. For location at a mid-range price, L7 Myeongdong. For value, Hotel28 Myeongdong or G2 Hotel Myeongdong.

Are there budget hotels in Myeongdong?
A few, but rooms under about ₩100,000 (~$75) are hard to find in the center. Look toward Euljiro 3-ga and Chungmuro, or stay near Seoul Station and ride two stops.

Is Lotte Hotel Seoul the same as The Grand Lotte Seoul?
Yes. The hotel at 30 Eulji-ro reopened under the name The Grand Lotte Seoul on August 14, 2026, after renovating its main tower rooms.

Sources: SeoulTourism.org – Best hotels in Myeongdong (updated Sep 2026) · The Soul of Seoul – Where to stay in Myeongdong (Oct 2026) · The Korea Times – Seoul’s hotel market (Aug 2026) · BizWatch – The Grand Lotte Seoul reopening (Aug 2026, Korean) · Sotetsu Hotels – Splaisir Myeongdong access · Marriott – Le Méridien Seoul, Myeongdong · Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong – location · Expedia – G2 Hotel Myeongdong listing
Photos: 서울연구원 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 · lumoplank / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 · LERK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Izzatfikry99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0