KOZAYO Hongdae Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
KOZAYO is the newest hostel in the group — opened in 2019, the cleanest rooms of the bunch with a tidy modern look
KOZAYO is the newest hostel in the group — opened in 2019, the cleanest rooms of the bunch with a tidy modern look
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
We close the Hongdae list with KOZAYO Hongdae Hostel, a 4-floor grey-and-white building with an LED-lit KOZAYO sign and a lobby done in Scandinavian-Korean style — grey, white and wood, with potted plants and minimal art. Most reviewers book the 4-bed female-only dorm at about $24 a night: a 15-sqm room with two light-wood bunk beds, quality blackout privacy curtains that close all the way, a power outlet, USB, an LED light, and an 80-litre under-bed locker. Sheets are white with a linen pattern, the pillows are firm but soft enough, and the en-suite bathroom has a strong hot-water shower with free Aromatica organic soap and shampoo. The 6-bed mixed dorm runs around $21 in the same style.
Food and amenities
The ground-floor common area is small — it seats about 8 — with a grey fabric sofa, a wood table, minimal art and plants. There is free Wi-Fi at 100 Mbps, a coffee machine that does cappuccino and espresso, a small fridge and a microwave. There is no communal kitchen like the one at Sunny Hill, so if you want to cook for yourself, that is the better choice. It is also quieter than Inno or High Street, with no bar or pub lounge — good if you want calm.
Location and getting there
KOZAYO sits a 7-minute walk from Hongik University Station in Mapo-gu, which puts you close to the Hongdae walking streets and nightlife while keeping you a few minutes back from the noise.
Things to know before booking
It costs about $2 more a night than Inno and Sunny Hill. There is no communal kitchen, the common area is small, and there is no bar or pub lounge, so it is not the place for a big party scene. Reviews are still relatively few — 800+ — because it only opened recently. On the plus side, housekeeping cleans twice a day (10:00 and 16:00), changes sheets every 3 days and towels every 2 days, and there is no mold, sweat smell or staining to speak of.
Our take
KOZAYO is the pick for travelers who put cleanliness and modern design first. Opened in 2019, it holds the highest cleanliness score in the group at 8.7/10, with proper privacy curtains and a female-only dorm with an en-suite bathroom. The overall 8.5/10 from 800+ reviews caps our list with a fresh, clean stay that suits female solo travelers and couples wanting a new private room.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Opened in 2019, so everything still feels fresh — new furniture and no wear and tear.
- The cleanest in the group, scoring 8.7/10 for cleanliness, the highest of these Hongdae hostels. Housekeeping cleans twice a day, at 10:00 and 16:00.
- A modern Scandinavian-Korean look in grey, white and wood, with minimal art and potted plants in the common area.
- Quality blackout privacy curtains that close all the way, plus a power outlet, USB and reading light at each bunk, so you sleep quiet and comfortable.
- A female-only dorm and a generally female-friendly atmosphere — a lot of guests here are female solo travelers and couples aged 25 to 35.
- About $2 more a night than Inno and Sunny Hill — the mixed dorm starts around $21.
- No communal kitchen. If you want to cook your own meals, Sunny Hill is the better pick.
- The common area is small, seating about 8 people, and there is no bar or pub lounge — quiet, but not the place for a big social scene.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Seoul
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Insider Tips
- Book about 2 weeks ahead — it is newly opened and fills up fast.
- Ask for a lower bunk in the 4-bed dorm, which is the largest room.
- The blackout privacy curtains are good quality and close fully, so you sleep comfortably even with roommates.