2026 Korea Smart Pass: Skip Lines at Incheon Airport Departure
Still dreading the long departure lines at Incheon Airport? Then you’ve got to know about South Korea’s Smart Pass! This identity verification system lets you skip the queues and breeze through departure at Incheon.
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What is the Korea Smart Pass?
Korea Smart Pass is a free facial recognition-based departure system designed exclusively for Incheon International Airport (ICN). Launched in July 2023, it allows travelers to link their passport, facial data, and boarding pass via a dedicated app. Once registered, you can pass through departure gates using only face recognition, avoiding the hassle of presenting physical documents or waiting in long queues.
Smart Pass Eligibility & Requirements
Before applying, check if you meet the following criteria:
- Age: 7 years or older (users aged 7–13 need legal guardian consent)
- Device: A smartphone with facial recognition and NFC capability (Android 9+ / iOS 14+)
- Document: A valid e-passport (with an embedded chip)
- Cost: 100% free
- Validity: 5 years (re-registration required if you renew your passport)
How to Apply for Smart Pass (Step-by-Step)
Applying for Smart Pass is simple and can be done before your trip via the ICN Smart Pass app (available on App Store and Google Play).
Step 1: Download the App
Search for "ICN Smart Pass" in the App Store or Google Play and download the official app.
Step 2: Register Your Account
- Open the app and agree to the terms of use and permissions
- Select your preferred language
- Enter your email address to receive a verification code
- Verify your email and set a 6-digit security PIN
Step 3: Link Your Passport & Facial Data
- Tap "Register Facial Data"
- Scan the personal info page of your passport
- Use NFC to scan the chip in your passport (remove thick phone cases for better scanning)
- Take a selfie for facial verification (follow ID photo guidelines: no hats, masks, or glasses)
Step 4: Register Your Boarding Pass
Important: Complete this step at least 30 minutes before departure
- Tap "Register Boarding Pass"
- Choose your flight type (paper or electronic)
- Scan the barcode or enter your boarding pass details
Where to Use Smart Pass
Smart Pass is only available at Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Terminal 1: 3rd Floor, Departure Gates 2, 3, 4, 5
- Terminal 2: 3rd Floor, Departure Gates 1, 2
Look for orange markers on the floor and screens—they’ll guide you to the Smart Pass lanes
How to Use Smart Pass at the Airport
- Check-in & Drop Bags: Complete standard check-in and baggage drop-off
- Open the App: Ensure your passport and boarding pass are registered in the app
- Follow Orange Signs: Proceed to the designated Smart Pass departure gates
- Face Scan: Stand in front of the facial recognition camera—no passport or boarding pass needed.
- Proceed: Once verified, the gate will open, and you can continue to security and boarding
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3706 booked
What’s the difference between Smart Pass and SeS?
Many travelers confuse Smart Pass with SeS (Smart Entry Service). Here’s a clear comparison:
Items | Smart Pass | SeS |
Eligibility | You can apply as young as 7 (Ages 7–13 require consent from a parent or legal guardian.) | Travelers aged 17 and older |
Where to use | Exclusively at Incheon Airport, South Korea! | Available at major airports including Incheon, Gimpo, Daegu, Busan, Jeju, and more! |
When to Use It | Departing from Incheon International Airport, South Korea | South Korea Entry & Exit |
How to Use | Departure gates, self-service boarding (limited to select airlines) | Customs Inspection |
Who it's for | All travelers departing from Incheon Airport are eligible to apply. | All arriving and departing passengers at the airport can use it. |
Application Fee | Free | Free |
How to Use | Register via the app or at an on-site self check-in kiosk → breeze through with facial recognition | After you apply, on your next arrival → just scan your face & fingerprints at the kiosk to clear immigration. |
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![[South Korea] LG U+ Combo Card | Unlimited 4G/5G SIM + T-money Transportation Card (from 3 days) | 1–90 Days | Pickup at Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae Airports](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images//0586c12000op3e6sv443D_C_568_320.jpg)
South Korea Entry Requirements
1. K-ETA Exemption Policy Extended
Travelers visiting South Korea still enjoy K-ETA exemption policy, which has been prolonged until December 31, 2025.
All eligible foreign visitors entering Korea before the deadline do not need to apply for a K-ETA approval in advance. You only need to fill in the arrival entry card, or use SeS fast immigration channel to skip complicated pre-entry application procedures.
2. Q-Code Health Declaration Rule Adjustment
Since September 1, 2024, travelers from Taiwan are no longer required to submit Q-Code health declaration when entering South Korea.
Exception rule: If you have traveled to any of the 21 officially listed high-risk countries and regions within 21 days prior to your arrival, you still need to complete and submit the official Q-Code form.
3. New Electronic Customs Declaration System
The official online electronic entry declaration system has been officially launched since February 24, 2025.
Travelers can finish all declaration items online within 3 days before arriving in South Korea (Korea local time) to speed up on-site entry inspection. Traditional paper declaration forms remain available for offline filling at the airport.
4. Strict Medicine Import Ban Reminder
Effective April 2024, all medicines containing Allylisopropylacetylurea are strictly prohibited from being carried into South Korea, including popular Japanese EVE pain relief pills.
Any prohibited items will be directly confiscated, and offenders may face official fines. Please double-check your personal medicine luggage before departure.
[10% OFF] Find Best Hotels in Seoul
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.From€358
Amazing343 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.From€261
Great666 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.From€232
Very Good474 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.From€299
Very Good407 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.From€212
Business travel
Very Good905 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.From€68
Very Good1417 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.From€155
Very Good1574 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.From€91
Very Good1507 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.From€78
Very Good2308 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.From€92
Family friendly
Great1413 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.From€117
Very Good1989 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.From€117
Great2879 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.From€114
Great851 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.From€208
Great558 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.From€134
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.From€28
Very Good1843 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.From€103
Very Good3116 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.From€85
Very Good1047 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.From€57
Great2821 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.From€166
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.From€139
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.From€100
Good254 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.From€101
Great3509 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.From€110
Great717 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.From€226
Swimming pool
Great482 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.From€279
Amazing1063 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.From€495
Great929 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. 😕From€123
Great667 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.From€295
Great262 Reviews
Dongdaemun Market Seoul|2.75km from city center
JW is 5 star because of excellent assistance and service from the Conceirge to bellboy!
Oliver recommended and assisted us to book a nice dinner venue for my family at Seokparang. He even initiated to assist me in booking a cab.
Mason helped us with the luggage. He even took initiative to ask us for our airport transfer car plate number so he can keep a lookout for us. He even initiated to ask us to sit inside the hotel lobby while he kept a lookout for us. As he understood we are rushing to catch the flight, he even helped us to translate to the cab uncle to hurry for us.
All of them speak fluent English, are very warm hearted and takes initiative in offering excellent service with genuine smiles. Our hearts are deeply grateful to them. 5 star 🌟 because of them.
4 star for the rooms don’t have Netflix. It would be great if the family can gather over Netflix entertainment. Small issue though as the service more than cover up for everything! :) We were offered a nice river view which was romantic! Very clean hotel.
Location is excellent as train station and direct bus airport limousine is just by the hotel. Great connectivity.
Will definitely revisit this hotel again.From€262
Breakfast
Great1099 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.From€101
Great1647 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.From€107
Very Good1081 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.From€167
Very Good985 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.From€41
Very Good604 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)From€135
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