South Korea Public Holidays 2026 Calendar & Travel Guide
Planning a trip to South Korea in 2026? Understanding the country's public holidays will help you make the most of your visit. From the vibrant Lunar New Year (Seollal) to the festive Chuseok, South Korea’s holidays offer a unique chance to experience its rich traditions and culture. Whether you're joining in the celebrations or exploring local customs, this guide will help you plan a memorable trip.
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Overview of Korea Public Holiday 2026 ✨
South Korea’s public holidays in 2026 offer a one-of-a-kind chance to immerse yourself in the country’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions. These holidays blend national celebrations, time-honored observances, and solemn commemorations, inviting visitors to dive into the heart of Korean life. Key holidays include:
Korea Public Holidays 2026 Calendar 🗓️
The following is a list of public holidays in Korea for 2026:
Date | Holiday | Duration | Description / Cultural Notes | Travel Impact |
Jan 1 (Thu) | New Year’s Day 🎆 | 1 day | This marks the start of the year. Locals often head to the mountains or beaches to catch the first sunrise. | Minor closures, busy sunrise spots. |
Feb 16–18 | Seollal (Lunar New Year) 🧧 | 3 days | Families gather for ancestral rites, games, and traditional meals. | Major closures and very high travel demand. |
Mar 1 (Sun) | Independence Movement Day 💫 | 1 day | Honors the 1919 independence uprising. | Government offices are closed, and local ceremonies are being held. |
May 5 (Tue) | Children’s Day 👧👦 | 1 day | Families spend the day at parks, zoos, and theme parks. | Busy family attractions. |
May 24 (Sun) | Buddha’s Birthday 🕯️ | 1 day | Lanterns adorn temples across the country. | Temples are crowded; services elsewhere are reduced. |
Jun 6 (Sat) | Memorial Day 🕊️ | 1 day | A solemn day to remember fallen soldiers. | National ceremonies; partial closures. |
Aug 15 (Sat) | Liberation Day 🎉 | 1 day | Celebrates Korea's independence in 1945. | Patriotic events; government offices are closed. |
Sep 24 – Sep 26 | Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) 🌕 | 3 days | Families honor ancestors and share traditional dishes. | Major closures; high travel activity. |
Oct 3 (Sat) | National Foundation Day 🏛️ | 1 day | Marks the founding of the Korean nation. | Government offices are closed; cultural festivals are held. |
Oct 9 (Fri) | Hangeul Day ✍️ | 1 day | Celebrates the invention of the Korean alphabet. | Educational events; some closures. |
Dec 25 (Fri) | Christmas Day 🎄 | 1 day | Widely celebrated, especially in cities. |
How Korea’s Public Holidays Can Affect Your Trip? 🧳
Spend the Holiday in South Korea
Traveling during Korea’s public holidays can be a mixed bag, depending on your preferences. Major holidays like Seollal and Chuseok are centered around family time, and many shops, restaurants, and attractions—especially in more traditional areas—may be closed. That said, cities like Seoul stay lively, with special events, festivals, and parades.
Transportation can get crowded during these holidays, as many Koreans travel to their hometowns. For example, during Seollal and Chuseok, bus terminals and train stations can experience heavy traffic, leading to longer travel times.
If you’re planning a trip to Korea in 2026, be sure to check the specific dates of these holidays to adjust your itinerary accordingly. While some attractions may be closed, many other cultural experiences are enhanced during these times, offering travelers a chance to experience Korea's rich traditions up close.
Major Holidays and Cultural Highlights in Korea 👀
🌅 New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
- Celebrates the start of the New Year.
- Families come together to savor traditional meals and offer prayers for prosperity.
- Many businesses and shops may be closed on New Year’s Day.
🌕 Seollal (Lunar New Year) — Feb 16-18
- Korea's most important holiday.
- Families perform ancestral rites and share traditional foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup).
- Shops and public transport are packed as many people head back to their hometowns.
🗓️ Independence Movement Day — Mar 1
- Commemorates the 1919 protest against Japanese colonial rule.
- It’s celebrated with ceremonies and public events, especially in major cities.
- Government offices close for the day.
🌸 Children's Day — May 5
- A day dedicated to celebrating children.
- Families take their children to parks, zoos, and amusement parks.
- Most schools and businesses are closed.
🕯️ Buddha's Birthday — May 24
- Commemorates the Buddha's birth.
- Temples are adorned with colorful lanterns, and people come to pray and take part in parades.
- Some businesses may be closed or have reduced hours.
🌾 Memorial Day — June 6
- A tribute to those who gave their lives during the Korean War and in the fight for the nation's independence.
- Ceremonies and events are held to remember fallen heroes.
- Government offices and schools are closed.
🗓️ Liberation Day — Aug 15
- Celebrates Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule in 1945.
- Public events and exhibitions reflect on Korea’s independence.
- Many businesses remain open, but government offices are closed.
🌾 Chuseok (Harvest Festival) — 24-26 Sept
- Korea's version of Thanksgiving.
- Families come together to honor their ancestors, savor traditional foods like songpyeon (rice cakes), and celebrate the harvest.
- Prepare for crowded journeys as people return to their hometowns, and expect many shops to be closed.
🏛️ National Foundation Day — Oct 3
- Celebrates the founding of Korea's first kingdom, Gojoseon, in 2333 BCE.
- Cultural events and ceremonies are held across the country.
- Government offices and schools close for the day.
📜 Hangul Day — Oct 9
- Commemorates the creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangul.
- Schools and cultural institutions host events to celebrate Hangul’s heritage.
- Most businesses stay open, though some cultural institutions may close for special events.
🎄 Christmas Day — Dec 25
- Celebrated by Christians and many Koreans as a festive day.
- Christmas decorations are a common sight, and people enjoy festive meals.
- While many businesses close, major attractions and shopping centers remain open.
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Closures and Disruptions to Expect During Korea’s Public Holidays 🛎️
During Korea’s public holidays, especially Seollal and Chuseok, there are some common closures and disruptions:
- Public Transportation: Buses, trains, and subways may run on modified schedules or offer limited services during public holidays. For Seollal and Chuseok, be sure to book your tickets in advance, as routes are often overbooked.
- Shops and Restaurants: Many shops—especially in smaller towns or traditional markets—close for holidays, particularly during Seollal and Chuseok. Larger shopping malls and restaurants in major cities often stay open, but they can be crowded.
- Attractions: Some museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions may close on certain holidays. Always check in advance to make sure your planned destination will be open on specific holidays.
Travel Tips for South Korea’s Holiday Seasons 🌟
Make your trip happen in South Korea
- Plan ahead: Book your travel and accommodation well in advance, especially for popular holidays like Seollal and Chuseok. Public transportation can be tricky to navigate, so securing tickets early is essential.
- Expect Crowds: Major cities like Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island remain popular during public holidays. While many businesses close, some attractions and events are designed to celebrate the season. Be prepared for crowded streets, festivals, and outdoor events.
- Experience the Traditions: If you’re lucky enough to be in Korea during Seollal or Chuseok, take the opportunity to engage in local traditions like playing traditional games, enjoying special foods, and witnessing ceremonies at temples or ancestral shrines.
By understanding how Korea’s public holidays work, you can make the most of your 2026 trip and immerse yourself in the country’s rich cultural heritage.
[8% OFF] Hotel Recommendations
Seoul Hotels
5 star
Amazing610 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.3km from city center
Each room comes with a KRW 50,000 gift card: I forgot how to use this one.
Located in Myeongdong, it's an older five-star hotel. Because it's an older five-star, the building is a bit low-rise and not very prominent in Myeongdong (as a person bad with directions, I had to use navigation every time to get back to the hotel).
The Airport Limousine Bus 6701 goes directly there, which is super convenient!
Across from the hotel: There's a 7-Eleven and GS25 if you use the underground passage.
Next door, there's an emart24.
Facilities: Well-equipped.
Cleanliness: Good.
Ambiance: Stylish, but the corridor outside the room had a slightly unpleasant smell.
It's very close to Lotte Department Store, and Shinsegae Department Store isn't far either; Shinsegae is a bit better for shopping.
Service: Polite and enthusiastic.
The room key card is made of wood and is quite beautiful.FromSAR 1,504
Amazing342 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.21km from city center
If you're staying in Myeongdong, I highly recommend this established hotel. The subway entrance is right downstairs, and there's a bus stop just across the street. Lotte Department Store is also right next door. The location is absolutely unbeatable! The cleanliness and service are excellent, and the staff are not only good-looking but also very gentle. The breakfast is quite delicious. The only downside is that the room is a bit small, but that's to be expected given the location.FromSAR 1,124
Great263 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.51km from city center
The view is great, and as a suite, it's generally very good with no major drawbacks. The suite includes breakfast, afternoon tea, and happy hour. I didn't take photos of the breakfast, but it was extremely rich and delicious. Afternoon tea is shown in the pictures; there were no alcoholic beverages. The lighting and curtains are all smart-controlled, and there's an iPad by the bed to contact the hotel for requests. The space is also ample. The shower water pressure is excellent; both the overhead and handheld showers can be used simultaneously, and there's a seat. Various types of pillows are provided, such as memory foam pillows. Seoul's air quality is often poor, so the room is equipped with an air purifier, and you can call to have a humidifier delivered.
The location is convenient, with the subway station just a 5-minute walk away.
If I had to point out a drawback, the hotel has indeed been open for a number of years, and some basic features are a bit old. For example, the air conditioning lacks any advanced functions like scheduled shut-off; it only has a single temperature and fan speed setting.FromSAR 2,519
Great664 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.73km from city center
This is a decent hotel, right next to Shinsegae Department Store, and directly outside Exit 7 of Hoehyeon Subway Station. There's a large ramp leading up to the lobby on the first floor, but you have to go to the seventh floor to check in. It seems like there's a police station building nearby with an escalator that takes you right to the lobby entrance.
The hotel gave me a room on a higher floor, the 25th floor, which I believe is the top floor for guest rooms, but it was a corner room. The room layout was a bit odd; the room itself wasn't very big, with not much space beyond the bed, but the bathroom was exceptionally large, almost the same size as the room. There was a connecting door to the adjacent room, which was a suite. From the layout, this room seemed designed as a maid's room for the adjoining suite. When I complained about the corner room to the front desk, I was told that all rooms of this type are corner rooms, likely due to the design. Those who dislike corner rooms should consider this carefully.
The mattress in the room was exceptionally high. Before arriving, I had requested a baby crib, but the hotel didn't reserve one for me that day and instead provided a rail. This rail was hard to describe – it made little difference from having nothing at all. There's a tablet by the bed that controls the mattress and air conditioning. You can directly order bath towels, water, ice, etc., and even send text requests to the front desk.
The hotel appears to be a recommended hotel by LV. Upon check-in, I received an invitation to the LV exhibition, where you could get an LV canvas bag at the Shinsegae LV exhibition across the street. Overall, the hotel is quite good, with medium value for money.FromSAR 983
Very Good478 Reviews
Hannam-dong/Itaewon Seoul|3.44km from city center
I always used to do my 'hotelcation' at Lotte, but this time I stayed at the Grand Hyatt, and it was an excellent choice! 🫶👍 I regret not coming to the Hyatt sooner, honestly. Haha.
True Wellness Point 1: The location and views are perfect for a quiet hotelcation and refreshing stay. 🫶 Even if it costs more, absolutely make sure to book a Namsan view or Han River view room! There's no need to wait in line at crowded cafes or rooftop cafes in the heat; you can relax in your room and fully enjoy a cafe-like atmosphere. If you convert time into money, this is much more reasonable. 🍀 Cafes in the central Hannam-dong area typically charge 5,500 to 7,500 KRW for an iced Americano. Hotel guests can buy an iced Americano from the 1st-floor deli for 6,500 KRW. ❤️
Wellness Point 2: There's a walking path connected to Namsan, so you can take a stroll after breakfast or even walk to Namsan Tower along the trail. ⭐ Truly the best! 🤗 Another great tip 👉 If you exit through the side path in the parking lot to the left of the hotel's main entrance (instead of the main entrance itself), you'll find Korean restaurants, convenience stores, and rooftop cafes. If the breakfast feels a bit too rich, you can easily balance it with some Korean food. ✨ The central commercial area of Hannam-dong, Itaewon, and Haebangchon are all within basic taxi fare distance, which is very convenient. 🫶
Wellness Point 3: If outdoor activities are too difficult in the heat, you can visit the Leeum Museum of Art right in front of the hotel to enjoy an exhibition and find some mental relaxation.
Downsides: If I had to find any, the gym gets crowded. You need to be quick for breakfast. And if you go to the deli shop late in the afternoon, the salads are often sold out.FromSAR 1,463
Business travel
Very Good906 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.17km from city center
The hotel's location is super convenient, just a few minutes' walk to the subway station, Lotte Duty Free, and Cheonggyecheon Stream, with plenty of cafes and bakeries nearby. The staff were very helpful and communication was quick. The main entrance has stairs, and there's a small slope leading to the back entrance, but the signs aren't very clear, which can be a bit inconvenient if you're lugging suitcases. There was a used cotton swab on the carpet that hadn't been cleaned, but otherwise, the cleanliness was quite good.FromSAR 353
Great1425 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.9km from city center
I have mentioned that it was my husband’s 60th birthday and the other day was our 25th marriage anniversary. We purposely booked a room with lounge access.
Thanks for the Korean treats on day of arrival (birthday). However I thought we would have another surprise gift (for anniversary). Something like a card would have been good as a token of gesture.
The room had small window and the Mountain View was half blocked by rooftop downstairs. It’s worse than normal rooms we’ve booked in other IHG hotels.
In general there should be a separate towel placed on the bathroom floor for after bath. However there wasn’t one at Voco.
The lounge was not as expected. The food/snack and beverages provided were very limited. Same thing everyday, basically all biscuits.
At breakfast buffet section, it was far too crowded. Being a hotel with so many rooms, a bigger buffet section should be set aside. Moreover items to choose were also limited. On our last day, there’re not even enough plates and we had to use bowls for food (eg. cold cuts).Regarding fruits, there’re only oranges, pineapples, kiwis and melons. Same thing everyday.
Room - overall clean.
Since we booked a room with lounge access, we are actually disappointed with this overall hotel experience.FromSAR 834
Very Good1573 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|1.61km from city center
First off, the hotel's location is fantastic. It's really close to both the number 2 and 3 subway stations Ⓜ️, and the 6015 airport bus goes directly to the hotel, which is a huge plus! I understand that hotels in Korea don't provide toothpaste and toothbrushes for environmental reasons, and that's fine. However, we stayed for three days, and they didn't even bother to replace our slippers, which were as thin as paper. After three days, the slippers were literally falling apart – that's a bit much, don't you think? As for cleanliness, there was a layer of dust on the bathroom shelf that we had to clean ourselves. All in all, it's an okay place to stay, but definitely nothing to write home about.FromSAR 393
Very Good1514 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|1.05km from city center
The location is fantastic! As soon as you exit the hotel and turn right, you're right in the Myeongdong shopping street – you could spend a whole day there and still not see everything. You can even see N Seoul Tower from the hotel room window. The facilities are a bit old though; some buttons are broken and haven't been replaced. There are continuous protests happening right outside the entrance, seemingly from people laid off during the pandemic. I remember them being there two years ago when I last visited. While they don't cause trouble, they do obstruct the pathway. The front desk service was nonchalant and condescending, which I didn't appreciate.FromSAR 334
Very Good2312 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.14km from city center
Location of hotel is a 5 mins walk from the DDP station. Convenient to take bus to myeongdong as it’s only a few stops away and takes less than 15 minutes. However if going to take the line 2, will need to walk through line 5 to change so it can be a bit taxing at the end of the day as it’s a long walk with many stairs.
There is an airport bus 6001 from incheon airport to beton hotel and from the bus stop near CJ company back to the airport. Advice is to be there at least 5-10 mins early before the scheduled time as there may be a short queue and prepare cash or have enough money in the tmoney card. The bus tends to be filled before even reaching Myeongdong and takes about 1.5 hours to the airport.
Hotel room itself is comfortable for 2 medium luggage’s and bathroom is small. Make up room can be done daily but they only change the sheets after the 3rd day. Amenities, towels and water are replenished everyday.
Overall it’s a decent location for the price if you want to save money as it’s not too far away from the shopping areas like myeongdong, seongsu, and Hongdae.FromSAR 428
Family friendly
Very Good1420 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.22km from city center
Overall, a great stay! The hotel has a charming vintage vibe, but the rooms are fully equipped with modern amenities like air conditioning, a well-appointed bathroom, and international standard sockets. The location is superb, very close to the subway station, making it super convenient to get to Myeongdong and Gyeongbokgung Palace. There's a convenience store right downstairs. The bedding was clean and soft, and the mattress was just the right firmness. Excellent value for money! I'll definitely choose to stay here again next time I'm in Seoul.FromSAR 349
Very Good1994 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.67km from city center
The front desk staff were incredibly helpful. Even though we arrived before check-in, they kindly stored our luggage so we could go out and explore Myeongdong shopping street unburdened. The room wasn't as spacious as I'd imagined, but it was exceptionally clean and tidy. It had a 'fake' window that opened to a small, pleasant view. While the room size was a minor point, its cleanliness was excellent, and the location couldn't be better – right in the heart of Myeongdong with plenty of food and shopping options. Overall, it was a good stay.FromSAR 500
Great2887 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.61km from city center
I enjoyed my stay here! The room is spacious enough for me and it was near many malls for shopping purposes. It is also quite central and accessible to other locations like Seoul Station. I also really like that I had a bathtub which I think is rare nowadays. The staff were really friendly and happy to help out when I needed something! The balcony view out to the city was great too.FromSAR 402
Great853 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.34km from city center
The room was really tiny. Whatever you do, don't buy any package deals, like the one for Petite France – it's incredibly far, like an hour and a half to two hours away, and you can't even get a refund. It doesn't really feel like a five-star hotel; more like a four-star. You can walk to Myeongdong in about 20 minutes from the hotel by taking the underground passage straight from Dongdaemun. But I found Korea to be quite run down, with power lines everywhere. Unless you're a big K-pop fan or love concerts, a trip to Korea can be pretty disappointing.
The photo is of a cafe in a shopping area near Dongdaemun. This hotel isn't far from Dongdaemun.FromSAR 951
Great562 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.6km from city center
I had an excellent 6-night stay at ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun. The hotel is in a fantastic location, within walking distance of City Hall Station, Namdaemun Market, Deoksugung Palace, and many restaurants and convenience stores. It was very convenient for sightseeing and using public transportation throughout Seoul.
The room was spacious, clean, and comfortable, especially by Seoul standards. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom was well maintained, and housekeeping did a great job every day. The in-room amenities and reliable Wi-Fi made the stay even more enjoyable.
What impressed me most was the professionalism and friendliness of the staff. They were always helpful, courteous, and willing to assist whenever needed.
The hotel offers excellent value for money, combining a convenient location, comfortable accommodations, and quality service. After spending 6 nights here, I can confidently recommend ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun to both first-time visitors and returning travelers to Seoul.FromSAR 578
Hot spring
Very Good93 Reviews
Seoul|11km from city center
I stayed at this hotel while visiting Korea for a health check-up at Korea University Guro Hospital, and my first impression was excellent thanks to the incredibly kind front desk staff. Since I needed to drink a lot of water for my colonoscopy preparation, they generously provided plenty of bottled water and showed such warm hospitality throughout my stay.
I stayed in Room 803, and the small private balcony with a beautiful city view was absolutely wonderful. I stayed with my mother, and the bedding was so clean and comfortable that I was able to forget my worries about the health check-up the next day and sleep very peacefully.
Another thing I really appreciated was the taxi stand located right outside the hotel. Since I did not have a Korean phone number, it was difficult to call Kakao Taxi, so having taxis readily available made everything so convenient. It only cost about 5,800 won to comfortably get to Korea University Guro Hospital.
Thank you again for the kindness and wonderful service. I would gladly stay here again in the future.FromSAR 120
Very Good1840 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.5km from city center
Great location with easy access to nearby attractions. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. The pajamas were surprisingly comfortable, which made the stay even more relaxing. Having a laundromat on-site was a big plus. I truly enjoyed my stay and would gladly return to this hotel on my next visit to Seoul.FromSAR 438
Very Good3122 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|1.57km from city center
I stayed in a standard double room two days ago, and compared to that, the VIP twin room was much more spacious. It had a small balcony with a sofa. The standard double room was a bit old. The twin room I stayed in was on the seventh floor and seemed to be newly renovated. It even had a dryer inside. The mini-fridge was restocked daily with two bottles of mineral water, Coke, Sprite, and a can of chips (a bit salty), all free of charge. There was an ice machine and a microwave in the hallway. A shuttle bus to Myeongdong departs daily from right next to the main entrance. You can order takeout directly to the lobby. To get to GS25, take the elevator to the first floor, turn right, exit, and cross the road. Turn left from the hotel entrance and walk straight for CU. From CU, walk a bit further and turn right for the subway station, which is about 300-400 meters from the hotel – quite convenient. Given the reasonable price and the new rooms, I'd recommend it. The old rooms are just okay.FromSAR 459
Very Good1052 Reviews
Insadong / Bukchon Seoul|1.15km from city center
The hotel was nice. We stayed there twice, for a total of 10 days. The woman at the reception was very kind and helpful. The location was good. Overall, we had a very positive experience.FromSAR 259
Great2833 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|1.16km from city center
The hotel is located near Myeongdong and is accessible by airport bus, about a 5-10 minute walk away. It's closer to Subway Line 3, but quite a distance from Subway Line 2. Shinsegae Duty Free is about a 30-minute walk. There's a GS25 downstairs, which is convenient for grabbing breakfast.
We booked a triple room and chose it based on photos that showed a sofa, but there wasn't one in the actual room. Felt a bit misled, but due to the language barrier, I didn't bother trying to clarify. The soundproofing isn't great, and the toilet seat was smaller than the toilet, which was a bit odd. The room was cleaned daily, and water and tea bags were replenished.
Remember to bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste, as they are not provided.FromSAR 679
Gym
Great997 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.72km from city center
This hotel is located right in the bustling Myeongdong area, which is super convenient. There's a convenience store right at the entrance, and at least four more nearby. Downstairs, you'll find an Olive Young, making it easy to grab cosmetics. OV Town is about 500 meters away and pretty big! There's a large night market downstairs with tons of food options. Lotte Duty Free is only about a 10-minute walk. BHC Fried Chicken is in an alley about 5-6 minutes away, though the taste was just so-so.FromSAR 595
Very Good2580 Reviews
Seoul|3.88km from city center
The room itself is pretty good, though it feels a bit dated – reminiscent of luxury hotels from Northeast China in the 90s to early 2000s, but I still really liked it. There's wireless charging by the bed, and the room also has adaptive power outlets with a 220V charging capacity. There's an ice machine on one corner of the elevator landing and a phone booth on the other. Self-service laundry costs 4000 Korean Won and drying is another 4000 Korean Won. You need cash for these, and they don't provide complimentary toiletries, but you can buy them from a vending machine on the first floor.FromSAR 354
Good257 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|1.2km from city center
The room was quite spacious, the location was convenient, and the breakfast was plentiful. The ambiance was okay, the service was good, and the cleanliness was impeccable.FromSAR 415
Great3522 Reviews
Seoul|3.79km from city center
I booked a deluxe twin room, and it was incredibly spacious for two people. We could easily spread out all four of our suitcases. Downstairs, there's an Olive Young and a snack street, so all our food and shopping needs were covered. It's the first stop for the airport limousine bus, which was very convenient. The hotel is also close to Mapo subway station and bus stops.FromSAR 580
Great716 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.58km from city center
The location is fantastic! Subway Lines 2 and 4 are right nearby, making it super convenient for getting around. Myeongdong Lotte, Myeongdong Shinsegae, and the Myeongdong shopping street are all within easy reach. Plus, the airport shuttle bus stop is less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel staff are really friendly and helpful. There's a Korean lady at the front desk who speaks excellent Chinese, and another Chinese lady, so communication was a breeze. The lobby has a free coffee machine and popcorn, and the doorman works quite late. You need to use your key card to access the guest floors, which made me feel very secure. While the room isn't huge, I could easily open up two 28-inch suitcases. I was very satisfied with my stay this time.FromSAR 977
Swimming pool
Very Good409 Reviews
Hannam-dong/Itaewon Seoul|4.43km from city center
The room itself isn't very big, but the location is great; it's convenient to get anywhere by taxi. The service was decent. There's a coffee shop right next to the lobby on the first floor, but the music there is quite loud. The air conditioning in the room was also a bit noisy. Overall, it's a good budget-friendly option.FromSAR 958
Great483 Reviews
Yeouido Seoul|6.44km from city center
I’ll give a 10/10. Great location, right next to Hyundai Seoul Department store & IFC Mall, very convenient for shopping & food. The staff are super nice & friendly, speaks excellent English, easy communication for International travellers. Room is spacious & clean, they have turn down service as well.
As for breakfast, that’s the greatest part out of the whole experience; food was freshly made & provided wide variety of choices (they even have abalone congee💕) Special thanks to Mr. Jin ( F& B Manager) who makes our dinning experience a warm one. Except for the warm greetings & introducing the food, he gets us a grapefruit sparkling 🍸 & by knowing that today is our last day staying at their hotel, he gave a little gift (tea & a mini teddy bear key chain) before we left. That’s very sweet of him.
So we already thinking of making a return trip to this place next year.FromSAR 1,449
Amazing1064 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.68km from city center
My stay perfectly matched my expectations for The Shilla Seoul; if you're looking for an old-money vibe, this is a great fit.
Hardware-wise, for a hotel with some history, it felt newer than I anticipated, and the crystal chandelier in the lobby is absolutely stunning.
The room size was just right, with a wet and dry bathroom featuring a separate shower and bathtub.
The windows and the view from the room are a major highlight. Even though my room this time didn't face Namsan Tower, it was still excellent.
You'll need to bring your own toothpaste and toothbrush, but cotton swabs and shower caps are provided.
The mini-fridge, snacks, and minibar are all chargeable.
In terms of service, from getting out of the car to reaching my room, it met the high standards of a five-star hotel. The front desk staff spoke excellent English, and one even spoke Chinese to me during checkout (though I don't expect all of them to).
This time, I also made sure to try the Room Service. The menu is in the desk drawer, and you can order using the in-room phone. The fried chicken and fries were very good; the portion was easily enough for two people or more.
Regarding amenities, the bakery on the first floor of the hotel was bustling, mostly with local Koreans. I thought the taste was good, and the salt bread was particularly nice.
The hotel lobby was almost always full, and there were constant business meetings and events happening on the left side, so you see a continuous stream of locals.
The hotel offers a free shuttle bus, but you need to check the schedule carefully. Since I didn't use it, I can't offer advice.
On either side of the hotel are Aesop and Moynat stores, and Shilla Duty Free is just a five-minute walk away.
If your itinerary is well-planned and not rushed, staying at The Shilla is a great choice. It's not far to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seochon, Bukchon, Myeongdong, Seongsu-dong, and Hannam-dong by taxi from here. However, if you're trying to pack a lot into your schedule and rely mainly on the subway, it might not be as suitable. Seoul traffic can be quite bad.
Personally, I would consider staying at The Shilla again. The service experience was very satisfying.FromSAR 2,134
Great924 Reviews
Seoul|4.07km from city center
I really liked the hotel, its location, and the fact that there was a lot of delicious food and local branded clothing nearby.
There was one downside: my iPhone charger went missing. I reported it to the front desk, and the next day, while I was out, they supposedly found the charger under the sofa, even though I hadn't unplugged it from the wall. So, I recommend putting all small items in the safe. Even though it's a minor thing, it left a bad taste in my mouth. 😕FromSAR 532
Great669 Reviews
Seoul|12.73km from city center
The location is good, directly opposite of the lake and next to Lotte world mall. To MTR it’s 5-7mins.
The front desk staff is not accommodative at all, any request is like „no, we can’t“ attitude.
As of the cleanness and amenities, first of all, the shower head did not work properly, the aircon did not work during the first night ( better the second and third) and the tooth brush glass had stains when I checked in ( see photo attached )
Overall, not recommended for luxury stay, but if it’s just a family vacay, why not.FromSAR 1,140
Breakfast
Great1101 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|0.48km from city center
We had a spacious comfortable room for family of 4 including 2 kids. The location is perfect at the doorstep of Myeongdong and entrance to subway green line just a few steps away. Our only gripe was the mould/dirt that was stuck on the top part of the toilet door which we had repeatedly asked the reception to have it cleaned/removed twice, but no action was taken so we just gave up telling them further.FromSAR 435
Great1651 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.2km from city center
The Incheon Airport Bus 6001 takes you directly to the hotel in just over an hour. If you have a lot of luggage, I highly recommend taking the bus as it's quite convenient. It costs 17,000 KRW per person. The room was clean and tidy, and there's free coffee on the third floor. Check-in was easy with basic English communication. If you turn left when you exit the hotel, there's an underpass that leads to the subway station. There's a convenience store right next to the hotel on the right, and another one across the street to the left.FromSAR 459
Very Good1085 Reviews
Myeong-dong Seoul|1.02km from city center
We stayed for 4 nights and overall had a mixed experience. The hotel has a good location for exploring Seoul and the rooms are comfortable enough for a short stay. The staff were a real highlight — very friendly, helpful, and all spoke excellent English, which made communication very easy.
However, housekeeping was inconsistent and cleanliness did not always meet the standard expected from a 4-star hotel. We also had issues with basic amenities not being replenished, such as shower gel.
We had also expected a room with a view of N Seoul Tower, but this did not happen, which was truly disappointing for us.
Overall, while the service from the staff was excellent, the hotel itself falls a bit short of a true 4-star experience.FromSAR 678
Very Good986 Reviews
Seoul|7.39km from city center
There's a bus stop right in front of the hotel, but it's a bit far from the subway, making it inconvenient to get to tourist attractions. The hotel facilities are dated; the TV is as small as a computer monitor, and the toilet isn't a smart one. On our first night, the toilet clogged twice, and the repairman couldn't fix it. It was overflowing with water in the middle of the night, forcing us to switch rooms. Mr. Li at the front desk provided excellent service. He helped us change rooms and even gave us chocolates and an apology letter when we checked out, which showed great sincerity.FromSAR 211
Very Good607 Reviews
Samseong-dong Seoul|9.79km from city center
Noise alert for City view rooms: Construction outside the hotel. Even when vehicles pass by the street you will heard the noise whole night. I’m at 17 floors still can hear the noise. Not for light sleepers.
This construction is not ending anytime soon but will be great to stay in the future. (Yeongdong-daero Underground Complex Development Project expected to finish by 2028)
Lobby is on 21st floor (top floor): You can leave your key card in your room and leave the door open when checking out if you do not have any additional purchase. You also can store your luggage at lobby after check out.
Of course convenietly located across COEX mall and approx 30 min walk to Dosan area (Gentle monster, Atissu, Wiggle wiggle, London bagel house, etc)FromSAR 576
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Top Things to Do in South Korea
Haeundae Blueline Park
4.8/5
1596 reviewsThis park is why tourists from all over the world flock to Busan. It's a wonderful concept – colorful carriages run along the sea, so high that it feels like you're floating above the ground, seemingly elevated above the hustle and bustle, gazing at the people, the sea, and the coastline. Everything is very well organized. You can ride either on the Sky Capsule (from Mipo and Jeongsapo) or on the large train with panoramic windows. And if you enjoy hiking, there's a place for you too; everything is meticulously planned. We bought tickets in advance through the official website, as trip.com was sold out even though we were standing in line. I don't think there's much to recommend this place; all tourists are eager to get to Busan for this attraction.
N Seoul Tower
4.6/5
3391 reviewsIt gets very crowded during the summer holidays, so you need to arrive early as there are queues. You can also buy tickets online in advance. However, you still need to queue to get on the cable car.
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