Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by HB
Welcome, travelers to Korea! Are you considering a stay at the ‘Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae” Hotel’ (★★★ 3 Star), situated in Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea? Or perhaps you’ve already secured your reservation? Then you’ve landed at the right place on my blog!!
I, HB (Hotel Boy 😎), am committed to providing you with the most comprehensive reviews of Korea’s finest hotels, unrivaled by anyone worldwide!
In this post, I have compiled the following information:
- Comprehensive Reviews from Global Guests
- Best Reviews from Korean Guests
- Quick Overview of Hotel Information
- Lowest Price Analysis
As a hotel guide residing in Korea, I’ve prepared an objective and insightful analysis based on numerous reviews from both local and global guests, all through a uniquely Korean lens. This aims to engage all your senses and assist in making an informed decision for your unforgettable stay in Korea.
Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
1. About “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae“ Hotel
Before proceeding with the detailed analysis, Let me summarize a brief overview of the “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae” Hotel.
“Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae is located in a high-rise building above a shopping mall and the Hongik University Station subway, and N Seoul Tower, which offers a panoramic view of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the city, is a 25-minute subway ride away.
The clean rooms with city views come with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee maker, a mini fridge, and a safe.
A simple dining room offers a free breakfast buffet. Other amenities include a fitness center, two meeting rooms, and a coin laundry facility.”
Source : Google Maps
“Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae“ Hotel
- Grade : ★★★ 3 Star Hotel
- Address : Aekyung Tower, 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 04051 Korea, Republic of
- Official Web site : https://www.ihg.com
- Telephone : +82-02-768-3000
- Check-in time : 3:00 PM
- Check-out time : 12:00 PM
2. Comprehensive Reviews from Global Guests
I will share the comprehensive analysis results of reviews from actual guests who stayed at the “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae” Hotel.
Please note that the guests who left reviews are not only from Korea but also from various nationalities such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, etc.
The following analysis is based on information compiled from data recorded on “Agoda,” “Booking.com,” and “Google Maps.”
2.1. “Agoda” Comprehensive Reviews
This is the rating for “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae” Hotel from users who booked through “Agoda.” Out of a possible 10 points, the hotel received a score of 8.9, with the highest marks being awarded in the ‘Cleanliness’ and ‘Location’ categories.
The following is a comprehensive analysis of reviews from various guests, mainly focusing on the most recent comments to ensure the relevancy and timeliness of the information.
| Location | Connected to the subway station and close to Hongik Univ. Station Exit 5, providing a convenient location. |
| Room | In general, the rooms are tidy and sanitary. However, some customers have experienced issues with the air conditioner smell and insufficient cleaning. |
| Breakfast | The breakfast is tasty, but the menu variety is limited. Some customers have mentioned difficulty in finding a seat. |
| Friendliness | Most staff members are friendly, but some customers have experienced unfriendly situations during check-in. |
| Facilities | The lobby and dining area are spacious, and there are other shops within the building for added convenience. |
| Price | Customers are generally satisfied with the location, service, and hygiene for the price. |
| Others | Some customers mentioned that the heating was well-functioning, providing a warm stay during the winter months. |
2.2. “Booking.com” Comprehensive Reviews
This is the rating for “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae” Hotel from users who booked through Booking.com. Out of a possible 10 points, Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae received a score of 8.6, with the highest marks being awarded in the ‘Comfort’ category.
The following is a comprehensive analysis of reviews from various guests, similarly to the Agoda case, mainly focusing on the most recent comments to ensure the relevancy and timeliness of the information.
| Location | Most guests praised the hotel’s location for being right next to the subway station. They mentioned having a variety of facilities such as shops, restaurants, events, and theaters nearby. |
| Room | Rooms were generally clean, but there were carpets that might be difficult for guests with allergies. Some guests also felt the rooms were a bit small. |
| Breakfast | Breakfast received mostly positive reviews, although a few guests mentioned it was of average quality. Guests appreciated the choice of both eastern and western menu options. |
| Friendliness | There were many compliments about the helpfulness and friendliness of the staff. |
| Facilities | Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae was mentioned that the laundry room was well-equipped with everything needed for washing, drying, and ironing. |
| Price | Guests rated the hotel high for its value for money. |
| Others | Some guests mentioned small issues with furniture or lighting. |
2.3. “Google Maps” Comprehensive Reviews
The following is the rating summary from people who left reviews on Google Maps. Out of a possible 5 points, Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae received a score of 4.4. Unlike other platforms that provide scores for specific categories, Google Maps interestingly rates the hotel based on guest type. The hotel received identical ratings of 4.4 from Families, Couples, and Solo guests.
The following is a comprehensive analysis of reviews from various guests. Similar to the Agoda and Booking.com reviews, recent comments were prioritized to maintain the relevancy and timeliness of the information.
| Location | Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae’s location received positive reviews, with the hotel being right next to the Hongdae area and Hongik University subway station. |
| Room | Rooms were generally small, and some guests criticized the beds and pillows. However, some guests were satisfied with the items and cleanliness in the rooms. |
| Breakfast | Breakfast received high praise for being delicious. On the other hand, some guests felt that the menu was repetitive. |
| Friendliness | The staff were perceived as friendly and aimed to make the stay comfortable. However, some guests were dissatisfied with the customer service provided by staff members. |
| Facilities | There is limited information on facilities for proper evaluation. |
| Price | Many guests appreciated the hotel for its value for money, particularly being quiet and family-friendly. |
| Others | Some guests expressed positive opinions about the in-room toilets. |
3. Best Reviews from Korean Guests
The “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae” hotel is located in South Korea, so the majority of its guests are probably Koreans. I have found various reviews written by Koreans about the “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae”, and I would like to share some of the best reviews with you.
3.1. Best Reviews 1 : “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae staycation recommendation”
Source : https://blog.naver.com/sjhan805/222844658889
Summary of the Blog Post
On my trip to Seoul, I looked for a fun place to stay near Hongdae. The place I found was the Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae, known for its good value for money. The hotel is close to Exit 5 of Hongdae Station on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, making it easily accessible.
The hotel does not have its own parking lot, so I had to park at a nearby public parking lot. Check-in starts at 15:00 and check-out is until 12:00. There is a CU convenience store right next to the entrance, making it easy to buy necessary items.
I stayed in a Superior Double Room. The bed was soft and comfortable, but the pillows were a bit high. The room was well-equipped with a refrigerator, a coffee pot, and bottled water.
In the morning, I enjoyed the hotel’s breakfast. Although there were not many types, the various dishes were delicious. Especially, I remember Mapo Tofu and seaweed soup.
When checking out, it was convenient to just leave the room card in the elevator. I recommend the Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae for those looking for a hotel in Hongdae.
(* For a detailed review, I recommend visiting the original article.)
3.2. Best Reviews 2 : “Recommended Cost-effective Staycation in Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae”
Source: https://m.blog.naver.com/jwj11111/222732704395?referrerCode=1
Summary of the Blog Post
I’d like to recommend Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae as a cost-effective staycation spot near Hongdae Station in Seoul. Its prime location and affordable price of around 100,000 KRW on weekends make it a great value choice.
The McHangs package includes unlimited beer and breakfast for added convenience. Although the room size is relatively small, it’s sufficient for two people and offers an attractive, spacious view. All guests enjoy complimentary breakfast, but late checkouts may be difficult on weekends.
Be sure to inquire about various room options when making your reservation for a more personalized experience! Overall, this is a highly recommended cost-effective staycation spot in Seoul where I would consider returning.
(* For a detailed review, I recommend visiting the original article.)
4. Quick Overview of Hotel Information
4.1. Amenities and Facilities
Things to do, ways to relax
- Fitness center
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
Services and conveniences
- Air conditioning in public area
- Cash withdrawal
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Elevator
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Fireplace
- Heating in public area
- Invoice provided
- Laundromat
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Safety deposit boxes
- Shops
- Smoke-free property
- Smoking area
- Xerox/fax in business center
Available in all rooms
- Air conditioning
- Air purifier
- Blackout curtains
- Daily housekeeping /
- Desk /
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- Hand sanitizer /
- In-room safe box
- LAN Internet in room [free]
- Non-smoking
- Private bathroom
- Refrigerator
- Shower
- Slippers
- Telephone
- TV [flat screen]
- Wi-Fi [free]
Cleanliness and safety
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Body thermometer
- Breakfast takeaway service
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in all rooms
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Doctor/nurse on call
- Face coverings on staff
- First aid kit
- Free face masks
- Guest rooms seal after sanitization
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Protective screens in common areas
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Shared stationery removed
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
- Temperature check for guests and staff
Dining, drinking, and snacking
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast [continental]
- Breakfast [free]
- Breakfast service
- Coffee shop
- Restaurants
Access
- CCTV in common areas
- Check-in [24-hour]
- Fire extinguisher
- Front desk [24-hour]
- Non-smoking rooms
- Pets allowed
- Safety/security feature
- Security [24-hour]
- Service animals are welcome
Food and dining
Restaurants on site
Great Room
- Cuisine: American
- Menu: A-la-carte
4.2. Location
Adress : 188, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, 04051
Airports
- Gimpo Airport (GMP) 11.1 km
- Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) 43.7 km
Public transportation
- Hongik University Subway Station 310 m
Hospital or clinic
- Shinchon Yonsei Hospital 820 m
Shopping
- Myeong-Dong Walking Street 5.0 km
Convenience store
- On-site
Cash withdrawal
- ATM on-site
4.3. Nearby Attractions
Popular landmarks
- Namdaemun Market4.5 km
- Myeong-Dong Walking Street5.0 km
- Gyeongbokgung Palace5.0 km
- The War Memorial of Korea5.1 km
- Insadong5.4 km
- N Seoul Tower5.5 km
- Bukchon Hanok Village5.8 km
- National Museum of Korea6.0 km
- Changdeokgung Palace Complex6.2 km
- Lotte World16.0 km
Nearby landmarks
- AK&40 m
- monomart80 m
- Macondo140 m
- Uniqlo170 m
- Gyeongui line forest170 m
- Y’Z PARK190 m
- Merry J Flower220 m
- Craft Hans (Hongik University)250 m
- come in290 m
- Bahia310 m
5. Lowest Price Analysis
I will finally analyze the most important category in hotel reviews, which is the price.
I will compare the lowest price results provided by the most famous hotel price comparison websites, “HotelsCombined,” “Sky Scanner,” and “Trivago,” in order to identify the place that offers the best price.
Lowest price search criteria: 1-night stay from Tuesday to Wednesday, 1 room (for 2 guests), including breakfast.
5.1. “HotelsCombined” Price Comparison
The lowest price search result on HotelsCombined is $119 for a 1-night stay. This price is based on booking through the official website of “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae”.
5.2. “Sky Scanner” Price Comparison
The lowest price on Sky Scanner is $134 for a 1-night stay when booked through Trip.com.
5.3. “Trivago” Price Comparison
The lowest price on Trivago is $132 when booked through the official website of “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae”.
Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that HotelsCombined provided the lowest price among the three price comparison websites. Booking through the official website of “Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae” for a weekday 1-night stay yielded the most affordable result. It is recommended to consider this information when making a reservation.
Please keep in mind that the lowest prices can vary depending on the dates of stay and the timing of the search.
It is important to note that the current lowest price does not guarantee the lowest price in the future.
“The Lowest Price Analysis” I shared should be used for reference purposes only.
When considering a hotel reservation, I recommend re-searching through price comparison websites at the time of your accommodation planning to utilize the lowest price available at that specific moment.
And with that, we wrap up our review of the ‘Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae‘, seen through a distinctly Korean lens.
Yours truly, HB(Hotel Boy) – your trusted guide to best hotels in Korea. Stay tuned for more insightful reviews on Korea’s hospitality gems!