Practical hotel reviews from real stays in Seoul and Korea
StayArchive is an independent hotel review site built around firsthand stays and original photos. I focus on rooms, breakfast, lounges, elite benefits, facilities, service, and value — the things that actually matter after check-in.
Start Here
Choosing where to stay in Seoul? These guides bring together multiple firsthand stays to make the decision easier.
Best Hotels in Gangnam
Compare luxury, business, and Marriott options across Gangnam based on actual stays.
Marriott Hotels in Western Seoul
A practical guide to Marriott properties across western Seoul, from value stays to longer trips.
4 Classic Luxury Hotels in Seoul
A look at four long-established Seoul luxury hotels and how their experiences differ.
Hotel Comparisons
Side-by-side comparisons written after staying at both properties.
Lotte Hotel Seoul vs The Westin Josun Seoul
Two classic downtown luxury hotels compared on rooms, lounges, breakfast, and overall experience.
Grand InterContinental vs The Westin Seoul Parnas
Two major COEX-area hotels, compared from location and rooms to club lounge experience.
JW Marriott Seoul vs Josun Palace
A comparison of two very different luxury choices in southern Seoul.
Browse the Archive
Prefer individual hotel reviews? Browse by destination or hotel program.
Latest Reviews and Guides
Recent hotel reviews, comparisons, and guides from the StayArchive.
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Best Marriott Hotels in Western Seoul: Which One Should You Choose?
I stayed at Marriott properties across the western side of Seoul, from Hongdae and Magok to Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo and Guro. Here’s how they compare for tourists, families, business trips, long stays, airport access and value.
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Courtyard Seoul Botanic Park Review: Suite, Lounge and Airport Access
Courtyard Seoul Botanic Park is a practical Marriott hotel in Magok with excellent Gimpo Airport access, a quiet location beside Seoul Botanic Park and surprisingly strong suite accommodations. My 2021 stay was helped significantly by an upgrade to a Courtyard Suite, so here is what still holds up today.
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Courtyard Seoul Times Square Review: Rooms, Lounge and Breakfast
Courtyard Seoul Times Square turned out to be one of Seoul’s better Courtyard hotels, with spacious rooms, a useful Lounge 15, a surprisingly strong gym and a broad breakfast buffet. Its Yeongdeungpo location is slightly awkward for subway access, but excellent for shopping and dining inside Times Square.
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Marriott Executive Apartments Seoul Review: Yeouido Long-Stay Value
Yeouido Park Centre, Seoul – Marriott Executive Apartments combines spacious apartment-style rooms with full kitchens, in-room laundry and some of the strongest wellness facilities among Marriott properties in Seoul. After a 2021 stay and a 2026 return to check the current breakfast, here is how it holds up for longer stays.
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Four Points Seoul Guro Review: Rooms, Breakfast and Value
Four Points by Sheraton Seoul Guro is a practical Marriott business hotel near Guro Digital Complex, with dated rooms, a surprisingly solid breakfast and decent transport links. I stayed in 2024 for KRW 108,900, but current rates make the value much less obvious.
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RYSE Hotel Seoul Review: Rooms, Hongdae Location and Marriott Bonvoy
RYSE, Autograph Collection is one of Seoul’s most distinctive Marriott hotels, combining a prime Hongdae location with bold design, comfortable bedding and strong food and beverage options. After three stays between 2020 and 2024 — plus a 2026 return to CHARR — here’s what still works, what has improved and where rising prices make the…
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Four Points by Sheraton Josun Seoul Station Review: Rooms, Location and What to Know
Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Station offers practical access to central Seoul, open railway views and Marriott Bonvoy benefits. After two visits — and, unusually, zero nights actually slept there — here’s what I liked, what went wrong and what travelers should know before booking.
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4 Classic Luxury Hotels in Seoul and Which One You Should Choose
The Shilla Seoul, Grand Walkerhill, The Westin Josun and Lotte Hotel Seoul have shaped Seoul’s luxury hotel scene for decades. Here’s how these four classics differ today—and which one best fits your trip.
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The Shilla Seoul Review: Executive Lounge, Rooms and a Mixed Luxury Stay
The Shilla Seoul is one of Korea’s best-known luxury hotels, with elegant rooms, excellent dining and an Executive Lounge. My 2019 stay impressed me with its hardware and food, but the service experience was more complicated.