My Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan Review at a Glance

My take: Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan worked well for our family trip to Seoul because of its convenient location and practical Friends and Family Quadruple Room. The 25 m² room felt compact with our luggage and stroller, but the mezzanine bed made the space more useful, and being able to walk to Myeongdong was a big plus.

My Review of Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan

When I looked for a hotel for my Seoul trip with the kids, I had in mind the criteria to pick a suitable one. Below are the things the hotel has that match my expectations:

1. The Friends and Family Quadruple Room

It’s described as having only 25m², which is a little small for my family. It was interesting to me until I saw an image of the mezzanine bed that extended the usable space. Nevertheless, with 2 pieces of big-sized luggage, 1 medium-sized piece of luggage, 2 bags, and 1 stroller, the room felt less spacious. The good thing was we could still arrange our luggage and enjoy the trip. Anyway, we just needed a place to sleep and a bathroom to shower.

Amenities

Amenities are quite well-prepared, except there is no toothbrush, toothpaste, or bottle of water as I usually see in other hotels. Instead, they prepared cups with clean and smart covers for us to get water from a Coway water purifier in the hallway. With that machine, you can refill your bottle of water when going out too. If you don’t have one, there is a GS25 convenience store nearby.

There is a smart toilet that increased my interest in the room. It has a warm seat that keeps us from the cold of Seoul, and a controller hung on the left wall where you can use different features of the smart toilet. If you can make the room more fragrant, I’m sure the time spent in the bathroom will be more comfortable and relaxing.

The Mezzanine Bed

This part of the hotel room gave me a warm feeling on the cold days. After 10 steps of the stairs, I could reach this cozy space. The mezzanine only fits a queen bed. I couldn’t stand up, but it was still good to lie down on the bed, or sit on the floor to watch a corner of Seoul from the floor-to-ceiling window. In addition, there are two Type-F sockets on this floor, so you can charge devices or connect your laptop to watch Netflix and chill.

The room’s temperature was controlled by an AC. Thus, with a plywood wall that partly separates the mezzanine and the lower floor, the temperature felt in the two spaces was different. The down-floor was colder than the mezzanine. You can consider that if choosing this room.

2. The Buffet Breakfast

Honestly, it was one of the reasons that I picked the hotel because I wasn’t sure if Korean food was suitable for my family or if I could easily find something for my kids to eat in the morning. Moreover, I could save some money instead of spending it on breakfast.

The buffet breakfast didn’t catch my attention at all. There were different choices that I could pick or mix for my kids. I spent 3 times there and saw just a few changes to the main dishes. Anyway, it met my expectations with suitable food to fill my stomach for energetic mornings. Make sure you try the fried rice!

3. Location

Compared to the Hyundai Residence, it was shorter and easier to get to the Myeongdong night market from Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan. With about 5 minutes of walking, we could reach the vibrant and lively night market. The road was fine to go with a stroller too.

The location of a hotel is important for a comfortable and convenient trip. There are cafes, restaurants, and shops around the hotel. You can also find many products at the GS25 convenience store next door. And just a few steps from the hotel entrance, there is a Pho restaurant. My kids pretty much liked the food there after days of enjoying Korean cuisine.

There are two nearby subway stations: Chungmuro and Myeongdong, which are about 500m away. Besides that, you can easily walk to attractions near the hotel. You can find that info on the OTA platforms.

If you read this section and are thinking of reserving your stay at Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan, make sure you don’t confuse it with Travelodge Myeongdong Euljiro, as I did. Indeed, when I arrived in Seoul and booked an airport taxi to the hotel, the driver took me to another similar hotel, which was about 10 minutes walking from the exact one. Google Maps didn’t work well in Korea, and I’m not sure if the local map apps recognized the difference. Read more about this experience in my Seoul itinerary blog. Here’s a note to let you know ahead of time.

Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan FAQs

Is Namsan near Myeongdong?

Yes, Namsan is very close to Myeongdong. Namsan Mountain rises just south of central Seoul, with N Seoul Tower at its summit, and Myeongdong provides convenient access to Namsan. The official Seoul tourism guide even recommends taking the Namsan Cable Car from Myeongdong to N Seoul Tower.

This is one reason I found Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan convenient for sightseeing, as you can combine Myeongdong shopping with a visit to Namsan and N Seoul Tower.

Is Myeongdong a good area to stay in Seoul?

Yes, Myeongdong is a convenient area to stay in Seoul, particularly for first-time visitors, shoppers, and travelers who want easy access to central Seoul attractions. The neighborhood is known for shopping, Korean cosmetics, restaurants, street food, and convenient subway connections.

For my family, staying at Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan made it easy to reach the Myeongdong shopping area on foot. The short walk was also manageable with a stroller, which made a difference when traveling with kids.

Which is better to stay in Seoul, Gangnam or Myeongdong?

Gangnam and Myeongdong suit different types of Seoul trips. Myeongdong is convenient for first-time visitors who want central sightseeing, shopping, Korean food, and easy access to attractions such as Namsan. Gangnam is better suited to travelers whose plans focus on southern Seoul, modern shopping areas, business districts, and K-pop-related attractions.

For a first family trip focused on exploring central Seoul, Myeongdong can be a practical base. That’s one reason I chose Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan for my family stays.

What is the best place to stay in Myeongdong, Seoul?

The best place to stay in Myeongdong depends on your itinerary and room requirements. I personally chose Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan because I was traveling with kids and needed a room that could accommodate our family while keeping us close to Myeongdong.

The hotel is within walking distance of Myeongdong’s shopping and dining area, with subway stations, restaurants, cafés, and convenience stores nearby. Myeongdong Station is also on Seoul Subway Line 4, making the neighborhood a convenient base for exploring the city.

What is Myeongdong famous for?

Myeongdong is famous for shopping, Korean cosmetics, street food, restaurants, and its lively atmosphere. Seoul’s official tourism guide describes it as one of the city’s major shopping destinations, with department stores, retail outlets, global brands, and numerous Korean beauty stores.

It is also a convenient starting point for exploring central Seoul and nearby attractions. From Myeongdong, you can easily connect with areas such as Namsan, Namdaemun, and other popular Seoul attractions.

Where is the best area to stay in Seoul for first timers?

For many first-time visitors, central Seoul areas such as Myeongdong, Insadong, Jongno, and Hongdae are convenient choices, depending on your itinerary. Myeongdong is particularly practical if you want shopping, Korean food, sightseeing, and easy access to Namsan in one trip.

The official Seoul tourism guide’s first-time Seoul itinerary includes Myeongdong on the first two days, followed by Namsan Seoul Tower and other major areas, reflecting how conveniently the neighborhood connects with popular attractions.

For my own family trip, Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan worked well as our Seoul base because we could walk to Myeongdong with the kids while still having convenient subway access for exploring farther parts of the city.

Your Perfect Stay Awaits

In conclusion, Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan offers everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay in Seoul. From spacious enough rooms to a convenient location, it’s an ideal choice for travelers. Don’t forget to follow my series about “Travel to Seoul with Kids in October” for more tips and insights on making the most of your family trip. Happy travels!