Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star chain hotel. But you know what? This place actually surprised me in all the right ways. The location is absolutely killer – you’re literally steps away from City Hall station (which connects to both lines 1 and 2, so you can get anywhere), and I mean, you can practically roll out of bed and be in the thick of Myeongdong‘s shopping madness within minutes.

The staff here genuinely seem to care, which is refreshing after staying at some places where you feel like you’re bothering people just by existing. Check-in was smooth, and the front desk person actually took the time to mark up a little map for me with restaurant recommendations – not the touristy spots, but places where locals actually eat. The rooms are clean and well-maintained, nothing fancy but everything works properly. The beds are surprisingly comfortable (I’m picky about this stuff), and the AC actually cools the room down, which honestly can’t be said for every hotel in Seoul during summer. The soundproofing is decent too – I was worried about street noise given how central everything is, but I slept fine even with the windows facing the main road.

What really sold me on this place was how it sits right in that sweet spot between being in the action but not completely overwhelmed by it. You’re close enough to Namdaemun Market that you can wander over for some late-night street food (the hotteok vendor near the market entrance is incredible, by the way), but far enough from the main Myeongdong pedestrian area that you’re not dealing with crowds of tourists outside your window at all hours. The Deoksugung Palace is just a pleasant 5-minute walk away – perfect for an early morning stroll before the tour groups arrive. And honestly, having City Hall station so close means you can easily hop over to Hongdae or Gangnam without the hassle of multiple transfers. The 8.3 rating makes total sense to me – it’s not trying to be something it’s not, but it delivers on what matters most: location, cleanliness, and staff who actually seem happy to help you figure out the city. I’d definitely stay here again, especially for the price point.