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Perched atop the Gwanghwamun Woldae (Elevated Platform), the views of Gwanghwamun Square stretch endlessly beneath you—perfect for capturing that iconic shot. But it’s more than just a photo spot; it’s your front-row seat to Seoul’s rhythm. Watch mist rise over the palace at dawn, then glow under neon lights at dusk—each moment feels like a painting. And just a short stroll away lies Gyeongbokgung Palace, inviting you to step into Korea’s legacy. A must-visit for any traveler craving both beauty and meaning.
This is the perfect choice for both families and business travelers! Located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, just a 10-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun, the location couldn’t be better. The hotel offers a fitness center, seasonal outdoor pool, and even a kids’ club with childcare services, making it great for families. The spacious rooms come with fully equipped kitchens, perfect for whipping up a meal. Unwind at the bar or treat yourself to a spa massage after a long day. Whether for leisure or business, this place has everything you need!
This hotel is the perfect choice in downtown Seoul! Located in the heart of Namdaemun, just steps away from Myeongdong shopping district and Namdaemun Market, with easy access to N Seoul Tower and other attractions. Rooms offer stunning city views, luxury bedding, and ergonomic workstations, ideal for both business and leisure. Unwind at MoMoCafe or hit the 24-hour fitness center after a busy day. The 513 sqm event space is perfect for meetings or banquets. With a 4.8 rating and exceptional service, it’s a must-stay!
Looking for a private pool and garden retreat in Seoul? This is the perfect pick! Enjoy free WiFi, AC, and a terrace, plus BBQ facilities and airport transfer services for ultimate convenience. Just a few kilometers from Changgyeonggung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace, you’ll have plenty to explore. With 6 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and 3 bathrooms stocked with free toiletries, it’s ideal for families or groups. 24-hour luggage storage and ironing services add the finishing touches—highly recommended!
Everything you need to know about Gwanghwamun Woldae (Elevated Platform)
Hotel Shilla Seoul and The Westin Chosun, Seoul are ideal choices, located just a 5-minute walk from Gwanghwamun Woldae, offering direct access to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace. These luxury hotels provide complimentary shuttle services to major attractions, including Myeongdong and Dongdaemun Market. Their spacious rooms feature traditional Korean design elements and panoramic views of historic landmarks. Guests can enjoy curated cultural experiences such as hanbok dressing and tea ceremonies, enhancing their immersion in Korea’s heritage.
Stay at Grand Hyatt Seoul, which offers floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Gwanghwamun Woldae and the illuminated Gyeongbokgung Palace. The rooftop bar, Sky Lounge, provides a premium vantage point for capturing the nightly light show along the Han River and the royal palace complex. For enhanced photography, the hotel offers free camera equipment rental and guided sunset sessions. Visitors can also join the seasonal Gwanghwamun Night Light Festival, featuring interactive projections on the elevated platform, blending history and modern art in a breathtaking visual display.
Yes, InterContinental Seoul features a dedicated kids’ club, indoor play area, and family suites with extra beds. The Gwanghwamun Woldae itself is stroller-accessible with safety railings and shaded pathways, perfect for families. Nearby attractions like Seoul Museum of History and Namsan Children’s Library offer interactive exhibits and storytelling sessions. Many hotels provide free shuttle services to Myeongdong and Lotte World Tower, ensuring stress-free sightseeing. Special weekend programs include traditional games like yutnori and paper-cutting workshops, making it easy for children to engage with Korean culture.
Kim Hotel Seoul stands out with its minimalist design inspired by Joseon-era architecture and exclusive access to a private courtyard garden. Guests can participate in daily hanbok try-on sessions, traditional calligraphy classes, and tea ceremony demonstrations hosted by resident cultural guides. Located steps away from Gwanghwamun Woldae, the hotel also organizes guided walks through Jongmyo Shrine and Seoul City Wall, providing historical context while enjoying panoramic views of the elevated platform. This intimate setting ensures a deeply immersive Korean cultural journey.
Visit Gwanghwamun Woldae early morning between 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM when the platform is quiet and natural light enhances architectural details. The Shilla Stay Gwanghwamun hotel offers a private viewing deck with a wide-angle lens setup for professional shots. For golden hour photography, head to the eastern side of the platform around sunset, where reflections of Gyeongbokgung’s rooftops appear on the polished stone surface. The hotel also provides complimentary drone permits and photo guides tailored to urban landscape photography, ensuring unforgettable images of Seoul’s historic skyline.
Absolutely. Hotels like Mandarin Oriental Seoul and Korean Air Tower are directly connected to Gwanghwamun Station (Line 1), offering seamless access to the entire subway network. From here, you can reach Cheongdam-dong, Itaewon, and Incheon Airport within 30 minutes. Free airport shuttles operate from many hotels, and real-time transit apps are available in multiple languages. The elevated platform itself is wheelchair-accessible and equipped with multilingual signage, ensuring smooth navigation for all travelers. Public buses stop just outside each property, making day trips to nearby temples and markets effortless.
See what other travelers say about Gwanghwamun Woldae (Elevated Platform)
The Somerset Palace Seoul completely exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, the staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful. The location is unbeatable—just steps away from the subway, making it easy to explore Seoul’s top attractions. The rooftop pool is a real highlight—perfect for relaxing with panoramic views of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Our room was spacious, clean, and well-equipped, offering a comfortable and home-like atmosphere. It’s rare to find such a high-quality stay with such a great value. I’d highly recommend this property to any traveler visiting Seoul.
Staying at Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun was an absolute delight. Located right in the heart of Seoul, it's incredibly convenient for getting around—just a short walk to subway lines and major attractions. The room was spotless, well-maintained, and equipped with everything you'd need for a comfortable stay. The staff went above and beyond with their friendly, helpful service. Breakfast was a highlight—huge variety of options, from fresh pastries to local favorites, all served with great quality and taste. It felt like a real treat every morning. Overall, this hotel offers excellent value and a seamless experience. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Seoul.
Staying at this traditional Korean house was an absolute delight! The breakfast was simple yet homely—warm, comforting, and just right to start the day. The room was spotlessly clean, with authentic Korean architectural details that truly captured the essence of old Korea—wooden beams, hanok-style layouts, and a peaceful ambiance. The host was incredibly welcoming and always ready to help, offering thoughtful tips on local transport and nearby attractions. It felt less like a hotel and more like staying in a cherished family home. For anyone looking to experience real Korean culture in Seoul, this is a must-try. Highly recommend for its charm, comfort, and heartfelt hospitality.
The room was spacious and immaculately clean, with authentic hanok architecture that truly captured the charm of traditional Korean design. Location is unbeatable—just a short subway ride from major attractions like Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market. The staff were welcoming and attentive, and the overall atmosphere was peaceful yet luxurious. It's rare to find such a perfect balance of comfort, culture, and convenience at this price point. I’ll definitely book here again on my next trip to Seoul—highly recommend!
I absolutely loved my stay here and will definitely return on my next trip to Seoul. This place has become my go-to base whenever I visit Korea—conveniently located just a short walk from Hongik University, with plenty of great cafes, restaurants, and local shops nearby. The room was clean, stylish, and full of character, making it feel like home. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, going the extra mile to assist with travel tips and recommendations. It’s such a great value for the quality and location. Whether you're here for sightseeing, exploring the city vibe, or even a quick work trip, this is the perfect spot. I’m already planning my next visit!
The room was incredibly quiet and cozy, making it a perfect retreat after a long day. Large windows let in plenty of natural light, filling the space with warmth and a serene atmosphere. Everything was spotlessly clean—right from the first step inside, the impression was excellent. The bed was wonderfully comfortable, soft yet supportive, ensuring a deep and restful night’s sleep. What truly stood out was the staff—always smiling, attentive, and genuinely helpful. Whether I needed extra towels or local recommendations, they responded promptly and with care. Their hospitality made me feel valued throughout my stay. Overall, this was an outstanding experience. If you're looking for a peaceful, well-maintained hotel with exceptional service in Seoul, I highly recommend giving this place a try—it’s definitely on my list for future visits.
Staying at this hotel was a great experience, especially for the location. It's perfectly situated in Jongno, just steps away from subway lines and major attractions—getting around Seoul was so easy. The room was larger than expected, offering plenty of space to unpack and relax. What really stood out was the thoughtful amenities: complimentary bottled water and even a hair straightener with a blow dryer provided in the room—no need to pack extra tools. Clean, well-maintained, and very convenient. A solid choice if you're looking for comfort and practicality without breaking the bank. I’d definitely stay here again on my next visit to Seoul.
The hotel is excellent overall—great location, super convenient for getting around Seoul, and the staff are very friendly. My only confusion was that I booked a two-night stay, but I had to check out on the second day and couldn’t recheck in until after 6 PM. That timing restriction felt a bit odd and wasn’t clearly explained upfront. Still, the team handled it well, and even though I had to move my luggage, it didn’t ruin the experience. The room was clean, comfortable, and the value for money was strong. Definitely would stay here again.
Staying at Nouvelle Seoul Hotel Itaewon was a fantastic experience. The hotel is perfectly located in the middle of Seoul's vibrant nightlife, yet the rooms are well-insulated, making it easy to relax and sleep soundly despite the lively surroundings. The rooms themselves are spacious with large TVs that make for great entertainment. The front desk staff were incredibly friendly and spoke fluent English, which made check-in and any inquiries super smooth. I appreciated the 24-hour check-in option—very convenient for late arrivals. Plus, everything you need is within walking distance: restaurants, cafes, shopping, and the metro station. This place truly offers the best of both worlds—urban energy and peaceful comfort. Highly recommend for travelers who want convenience without compromise.
The location of Hertz Hotel in Jongno was absolutely perfect! I arrived earlier than check-in time, but they kindly offered free luggage storage—so convenient. There were tons of restaurants, small shops, and cozy cafes nearby, making it easy to pass the time without any stress. The room itself was spotlessly clean, and having a bathtub was definitely one of the main reasons I chose this hotel—it made for a relaxing soak after a long day. Bathroom amenities included shampoo, conditioner, and a bathrobe, though I did need to bring my own toothbrush. For multi-night stays, water bottles were conveniently restocked. One standout feature was the sliding mirror that doubles as a blackout panel—just slide it across the window, and you’ve got complete darkness, ideal for sleeping in late. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a straightening iron available in the room—such a thoughtful touch. I’d definitely stay here again. Excellent value and a truly comfortable experience.
The first room had a strong smell of smoke, which was quite unpleasant, so I asked to be moved. The staff were very kind and promptly arranged a new room without any hassle. However, the second room wasn’t much better—the bathroom felt a bit dark and slightly unsettling, and the overall facilities were just average. That said, the price is definitely affordable, making it a solid choice if you're on a budget. It’s perfect for students or travelers looking for a no-frills stay with good value. While not luxurious, it gets the job done, especially considering the cost.
We stayed here as a family of three adults, including first-time visitors to Korea, and the experience was absolutely fantastic. What stood out most was the in-room laundry facilities—detergents were freely available, and I brought my own small packet of fabric softener from Japan, which worked perfectly. A large tote bag is highly recommended for moving laundry between rooms. The bathroom amenities were exceptional: the shampoo and conditioner had a luxurious scent and texture, leaving a subtle, pleasant fragrance throughout the room after showering. It’s rare to find a full set of toothbrushes included in a Korean hotel, and the lightweight hairdryer delivered strong airflow without strain. In the dining area, they offer four levels of spicy ramen—while I haven’t tried level 3, level 2 was similar to a moderately spicy kimchi ramen, not too overwhelming. Everything you’d expect at home, like plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and containers, was readily available. Even our homemade kimchi from a local market didn’t come with packaging—we were able to wrap it up neatly with the provided wrap and take it back easily. The staff were incredibly friendly, with several speaking Japanese, which made us feel safe and welcome. We especially enjoyed meeting Star-chan, who’s originally from Iran—such a memorable encounter! Thanks again, see you soon! One minor downside: the coffee machine was a bit sweet, and there was no option to adjust sugar levels—so every latte came out overly sugary. The chocolate drink also wasn’t to my taste. Also, the power outlets were tricky—my C-type adapter (bought from a 100-yen store) would plug in but kept falling out, making it unusable. Even though another universal adapter worked, it wobbled and sometimes fell over, causing power loss. And unfortunately, the silk-pressed straightening iron showed an error message and wouldn’t turn on. But overall? This place felt more like home than a hotel. Late-night ramen or toast lovers were cooking quietly nearby, yet we heard absolutely nothing—perfectly peaceful. It totally redefined what a hotel stay could be. We’re already planning to return next time we visit Korea!
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