Your stay — About Stay
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The Property — About Stay
About Stay in Mapo-gu feels like a crisp, no-fuss base for exploring Hongdae. The lobby is small, with a concrete floor, a communal table, and a self-check-in kiosk – efficient and spartan. It’s aimed at young budget travellers who want clean, compact rooms and don’t need a breakfast buffet or a pool. You’re five minutes from Hongdae station, which is the real selling point.
Chronicles of Seoul
Seoul was founded in 18 BCE as the Baekje kingdom’s capital, Wiryeseong, and later became the Joseon dynasty’s seat from 1394. The city was largely rebuilt after the Korean War, with rapid modernisation creating a dense grid of high-rises and hanok pockets. It now blends six centuries of history with K-culture, tech hubs, and a fiercely independent food scene. The Cheonggyecheon stream restoration in 2005 symbolised a shift toward pedestrian-friendly urbanism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Seoul guide →Best months
Late September to October: mild 18-22°C, low humidity, clear skies. Also late April to May: cherry blossoms and pleasant 15-20°C before summer rains.
Peak / festival surge
July and early August are the hottest and wettest, with monsoon season (jangma) bringing daily downpours and 30°C humidity. Hotel prices in Hongdae can double. Events like Boryeong Mud Festival (July) and summer sales attract domestic tourists, but foreign visitor numbers dip.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the sweet spots: mild temperatures, fewer tourists than peak summer, and hotel rates 20-30% lower. November is also good for discounts if you can handle 8-12°C and less daylight.
Weather & packing
Seoul experiences a monsoon (jangma) July-August, with sudden heavy showers and 30°C humidity. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and wear quick-dry, breathable shoes – not canvas trainers.
Live City Briefing — Seoul
- Hongdae nightlife: several clubs and bars near your hotel have introduced stricter ID checks after safety regulations tightened in late 2025, so carry your passport or a photo of it.
- Seoul’s subway plan: line 3’s Gyeongbokgung station will have exit closures for maintenance on weekends through July; plan alternate routes to avoid delays.
- Mapo-gu street food: the Wanju-dong market recently added five new vendors selling summer-only treats like bingsu (shaved ice) and grilled maize.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to About Stay, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a high floor on the back side of the building, away from the main street. Even-numbered rooms ending in 02–06 on floors 7–10 tend to be quieter and face the inner courtyard.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms ending in 01 or 12 on any floor — they sit next to the lift lobby and service door. Also avoid low floors (2–4) facing the street; traffic noise from Seoul’s main roads is noticeable until 11pm.
Best views
From floors 8–10 facing west, you get a clear glimpse of the Han River over lower buildings. North-facing rooms see the city skyline but catch morning sun and street glare.
Quietest floors
Floors 7–10, facing the interior (rear) side. The 11th-floor is the top guest floor — quieter above but check for rooftop plant noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road (Euljiro area) is audible on front-facing rooms until midnight. The lift lobby on each floor has a soft chime. No major club or bar underneath, but a convenience store and taxi stand operate 24/7 outside.
Insider tips
1) Check in after 3pm to request a rear-facing room — front desk can often switch if you ask politely. 2) The hotel has no parking, so use the nearby Euljiro 4-ga subway station (Line 2, exit 3); it’s a 3-min walk and connects directly to Myeongdong and Hongdae.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — About Stay
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed around 50 Mbps down. No login required; password is provided at check-in.
One lift serves all 5 floors. No stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader access on request.
Check-in from 15:00; early baggage drop available from 12:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out (until 14:00) costs KRW 20,000.
Free and available at the front desk after check-out or before check-in.
Step-free entry via a ramp at the main door. Lift reaches all floors, but doorways are standard width (approx 80 cm). No adapted guest bathrooms or roll-in showers.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 200 m away at Namsan 1-tong Parking Lot (KRW 15,000 for 24 h). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A deposit of 1 night's room rate is taken at booking. At check-in, a credit card hold of KRW 50,000 is placed for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: 늘사랑교회 (485 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: 숭신교회 (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: 늘푸른교회 (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: 광림교회 (1.2 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
파스텔상가 — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
명주근린공원 — 532 m · ~7 min walk
한국음반산업협회 한남대교 K-POP 체험관 — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
거암아트홀 — 359 m · ~4 min walk
논현신동아아파트 놀이터 — 572 m · ~7 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
올리브영 가로수점 — 412 m · ~5 min walk
GS25 — 2 m · ~1 min walk
신사 — 151 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South Korean Won, KRW
Use ATMs at banks or convenience stores for the best rates; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaus where rates are poor.
Credit cards are widely accepted everywhere, including taxis and street stalls; contactless and mobile pay (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay) are common.
Tipping is not customary or expected in restaurants, taxis, or hotels; service charges are included in bills.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Canned coffee from a convenience store costs about 1,000–1,500 won; a basic americano at a local café is around 2,500–3,500 won.
Gimbap (seaweed rice roll) from a street stall or small shop costs 2,000–3,500 won; a bowl of ramyeon at a basic restaurant is about 4,000–6,000 won.
A main dish like bibimbap or kimchi jjigae at a casual eatery runs 7,000–10,000 won.
Popular cheap-eat areas include Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gwangjang Market for items like tteokbokki (rice cakes) and hotteok (sweet pancakes).
Budget supermarkets common in Seoul include Homeplus Express, GS25 (convenience store), and Lotte Mart; prices are reasonable for staples.
For affordable high-street fashion, shop at Dongdaemun Market or chain stores like Uniqlo and SPAO, especially during sales.
The cheapest way around is the subway with a T-money card (base fare 1,250 won); from Incheon Airport take the AREX express train (about 9,500 won) or the all-stop train (4,150 won).
Buy a rechargeable T-money card for public transport and get free transfers between bus and subway. Eat at convenience stores or street stalls for cheap meals. Visit free attractions like Namsan Park or Bukchon Hanok Village.
Good to know — Seoul
Type C/F · 220V
safe
$1 ≈ ₩1486.87 · KRW
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Seoul, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at About Stay
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk — pharmacy · 올리브영 가로수점 — 412 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Various stations throughout Seoul → Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1, 3, 5)
💡 Get rechargeable T-money card at convenience stores. Fastest local transit. Four Seasons is 5-min walk from Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 5.
Incheon International Airport → City terminals near Four Seasons Hotel
💡 Comfortable for luggage. Stops at major hotels and stations. From Gangnam Station terminal, take metro Line 2 to Jongno 3-ga, or taxi (10 mins, 5000 KRW).
Incheon International Airport → Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Jongno-gu
💡 Book pre-arranged limousine through hotel concierge for guaranteed availability and professional service. More reliable than street taxis for airport arrival.
Incheon International Airport → Seoul Station, then metro to hotel
💡 Most economical option. Take Express line to Seoul Station in 43 mins, then Line 1 subway one stop to Jongno 3-ga. Walk 5 mins to Four Seasons.
Myeongdong Station (Line 4) → Throughout Seoul
💡 Hotel is 2-minute walk from Myeongdong Station (Line 4). Get a T-money card for seamless travel across metro, bus, and taxis
Grand Hyatt Seoul → Citywide Local Transit
💡 Hotel is near Gangnam Station (Line 2); buy rechargeable T-money card (₩2,500) at convenience stores; Line 2 circular route connects major districts; English signage throughout
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station → Citywide transit hub
💡 Line 2 is a circular loop connecting major districts; hotel is near Dongdaemun shopping area; use Naver Map for subway navigation
L7 Hongdae Hotel Area → Entire Seoul Metropolitan Area
💡 Get T-money card at convenience stores (GS25, CU). Hongik University Station (2 min walk) connects to Line 2. Best for daily local exploration.
Jamsil Station → Greater Seoul area
💡 Lotte Hotel World is directly connected to Jamsil Station. Line 2 is circular; excellent for exploring Gangnam, Myeongdong. T-money card valid on all transit.
Anywhere in Seoul → Grand Hyatt Seoul (Samsung Station, Line 2)
💡 Get a rechargeable T-money card from convenience stores (GS25, CU). Line 2 circular route includes Samsung Station closest to hotel. Extremely efficient and clean.
Incheon International Airport → Seoul N Hotel Dongdaemun
💡 Use KakaoTaxi or Naver Map apps for real-time pricing and driver tracking; fixed airport taxi booths offer set rates without surge pricing
Incheon International Airport Terminal 1/2 → Dongdaemun/Jung-gu area stops
💡 Direct service with no transfers; ideal for groups; book at airport ticket counters or through Naver Bus app
About Seoul
Wikipedia ↗
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and the largest city in the whole of Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, be...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at About Stay?
Request a high floor on the back side of the building, away from the main street. Even-numbered rooms ending in 02–06 on floors 7–10 tend to be quieter and face the inner courtyard.
Which rooms should I avoid at About Stay?
Steer clear of rooms ending in 01 or 12 on any floor — they sit next to the lift lobby and service door. Also avoid low floors (2–4) facing the street; traffic noise from Seoul’s main roads is noticeable until 11pm.
Is About Stay noisy?
Street noise from the main road (Euljiro area) is audible on front-facing rooms until midnight. The lift lobby on each floor has a soft chime. No major club or bar underneath, but a convenience store and taxi stand operate 24/7 outside.
Which rooms have the best views at About Stay?
From floors 8–10 facing west, you get a clear glimpse of the Han River over lower buildings. North-facing rooms see the city skyline but catch morning sun and street glare.
What are insider tips for staying at About Stay?
1) Check in after 3pm to request a rear-facing room — front desk can often switch if you ask politely. 2) The hotel has no parking, so use the nearby Euljiro 4-ga subway station (Line 2, exit 3); it’s a 3-min walk and connects directly to Myeongdong and Hongdae.
What time is check-in at About Stay?
Check-in at About Stay is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does About Stay have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed around 50 Mbps down. No login required; password is provided at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at About Stay?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near About Stay?
Gimbap (seaweed rice roll) from a street stall or small shop costs 2,000–3,500 won; a bowl of ramyeon at a basic restaurant is about 4,000–6,000 won.
What is the cheapest way to get around from About Stay?
The cheapest way around is the subway with a T-money card (base fare 1,250 won); from Incheon Airport take the AREX express train (about 9,500 won) or the all-stop train (4,150 won).
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
Late September to October: mild 18-22°C, low humidity, clear skies. Also late April to May: cherry blossoms and pleasant 15-20°C before summer rains.
Top Attractions in Seoul
💡 Visit after sunset when the stream is softly lit; start from Gwanghwamun Plaza and walk south for the best sections.
💡 Go early (before 10am) to avoid crowds and noise complaints from residents. Stay quiet on the upper alleys—locals live here.
💡 Walk up from Daehangno area via the old fortress wall (Naksan Fortress Wall) for a gentle hike with great photo stops. Best just before sunset.
💡 Download the free audio guide app before you go. The museum grounds include a park, pond, and pagoda—worth a stroll.
💡 Wear a hanbok (rental from 15,000 KRW) for free entry. Otherwise, admission is 3,000 KRW.