Seoul National University Museum of Art

Great Location in the Heart of Myeongdong – 4/5 The Stay Hue is in an excellent location—right in the middle of what I think is the best part of Seoul for tourists. Myeongdong is packed with great shops, restaurants, bars, karaoke spots, and fun things to do. (Think: Shinjuku in Tokyo, Broadway in Nashville, or Greenwich Village in NYC.) The rooms are small, which is typical for Korea and Japan, but very clean and well-maintained. It’s important to note that this is not a full-service hotel—it occupies a single floor within a mixed-use building. That said, the value and location are hard to beat. Some thoughtful touches include free coffee in the lobby, reasonably priced laundry service, and my favorite feature: each room has a water machine that dispenses filtered ice-cold water. The subway is just a short walk away, and the lively night market is literally right outside the entrance. In short, if you’re looking for a clean, affordable place in a vibrant area and don’t need amenities like room service, a gym, pool, or concierge, The Stay Hue is a solid choice. I’m giving it 4/5 stars—only because Expedia didn’t make it clear that this wasn’t a traditional hotel.

Clean, friendly staff and 5 minute walk to train station

They charge $20 to $40 per person to use the pool.