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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Four Points Seoul Gangnam Review: Practical, Well-Located, and Finally Good Value
I stayed at Four Points Seoul Gangnam twice, in 2024 and 2025. The rooms were compact and the road noise was noticeable, but the hotel delivered clean rooms, comfortable beds, a surprisingly solid breakfast and a practical Apgujeong location. At my discounted rates, it was very good value; at current public prices around KRW 280,000,…
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Lotte Hotel Seoul vs The Westin Josun Seoul: Which Luxury Hotel Is Better?
Lotte Hotel Seoul offers the stronger paid lounge experience, while The Westin Josun rewards Marriott elite status and excels in hotel fundamentals. Here is how they compare after several stays.
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Best Hotels in Myeongdong, Seoul: Which One Is Right for You?
I stayed at seven hotels in and around Myeongdong to find out which ones work best for first-time visitors, families, luxury stays, Marriott Bonvoy members and travellers watching their budget.
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Lotte Hotel Seoul Review: Three Stays, Two Towers, and a Lounge That Stole the Show
I stayed at Lotte Hotel Seoul three times: once in the classic Main Tower and twice in the renovated Executive Tower. The Main Tower was already a satisfying five-star stay, but the larger rooms, polished bathrooms and exceptional Le Salon happy hour—including Taittinger Champagne—raised the Executive Tower experience to another level.
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Aloft Seoul Myeongdong Review: Three Stays, Great Location, Much Higher Prices
I stayed at Aloft Seoul Myeongdong three times between October 2020 and February 2022. That sentence may suggest a deep affection for the Aloft brand. It would be more accurate to say that the hotel was inexpensive, centrally located and willing to feed me breakfast. My first stay cost a little over KRW 100,000. The…
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Courtyard Seoul Myeongdong Review: My Stay at the Former Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun
I stayed here in October 2020, when it was still Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun and one of central Seoul’s best-value Marriott staycation hotels. The Executive Lounge, two-person breakfast and Seoul Tower view made my KRW 160,000–180,000 stay an easy 8.5/10. In 2026, the hotel has a new name, a new owner, no Executive Lounge and much…
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Le Méridien Seoul Myeongdong Review
Le Méridien Seoul Myeongdong combines a central location with modern 34-square-metre rooms, a strong Club Lounge and a small indoor pool. My October 2023 Platinum stay cost 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points and remains a 9.0/10 experience, although today’s higher rates make the value less straightforward.
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AC Hotel Seoul Gangnam Review: Strong Titanium Benefits and an Excellent Breakfast
AC Hotel Seoul Gangnam had been familiar to me before I ever stayed there. I had visited AC Kitchen several times for breakfast and already considered it one of the better hotel buffets in Seoul. What I had not experienced was the property as an overnight guest, or how much Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status would…
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Fairfield by Marriott Seoul Review After Multiple Stays
After several stays, mostly for Marriott mattress runs, I found Fairfield by Marriott Seoul convenient for Yeongdeungpo Station but limited by noise, basic rooms and increasingly weaker value at higher rates.