Lotte Hotel Seoul
by the TopOfHotel team
Lotte Hotel Seoul is the best hotel on this list — a central landmark wired straight into the Lotte department store and the subway, and our top score at 9.5.
Lotte Hotel Seoul is the best hotel on this list — a central landmark wired straight into the Lotte department store and the subway, and our top score at 9.5.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The rooms here run larger than the average downtown Seoul hotel, with a restrained, upscale fit-out, good materials and the kind of cleanliness a real 5-star should deliver. Nothing about them is fussy or surprising — they simply feel polished and well kept, which is exactly what you want from a stay built around comfort rather than gimmicks.
Food and amenities
On site there's a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spa, and several restaurants to choose from, spanning Korean to Western. The breakfast buffet goes all-in on both quality and variety — one of the genuine high points of the stay. It does get busy from 8 to 9am, so going down a little earlier or later makes for a calmer meal.
Location and getting there
Location is the strongest card Lotte Hotel Seoul holds. It sits in Sogong-dong, connecting directly into Lotte Department Store and linking to Euljiro 1-ga subway station without ever stepping out into sun or cold wind. A few more minutes on foot brings you to the Myeongdong shopping street (about 400m), Myeongdong Cathedral and Deoksugung Palace — most of what visitors come for sits within walking range.
Things to know before booking
This is the priciest hotel on our Myeongdong list, so you're paying for the address and the full kit. Being a large property, the lobby gets crowded in high season, and the overall feel is formal and corporate rather than that of a warm little boutique. None of that is a flaw so much as a character note — go in knowing it's a big-chain landmark, not an intimate hideaway.
Our take
Lotte Hotel Seoul suits families, couples celebrating a special occasion, and anyone after a full 5-star experience in the heart of the city. If the budget stretches and you want a hotel with no weak link across location, rooms and service, we recommend it with confidence — the strongest way to open the Myeongdong list. Real-guest scores land at 9.5, the highest here, and the English-speaking staff and concierge mean you rarely have to guess at anything.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A landmark location that connects directly into Lotte Department Store and the Euljiro 1-ga subway station, so you can reach the shops and trains without going outside.
- Spacious rooms, luxuriously decorated, and clean to a real 5-star standard.
- Full facilities on site — a swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa.
- Several restaurants spanning Korean to Western, plus a high-quality breakfast buffet.
- Professional, dependable service to the Lotte Hotels standard, with English-speaking staff and a concierge.
- The highest price on this list — you pay for the landmark address and the full 5-star kit.
- It's a large hotel, so the lobby gets busy and crowded during high season.
- The feel is formal and corporate rather than that of a warm, intimate boutique.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Seoul
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Insider Tips
- Use the underground passage to reach Lotte Department Store and the subway — it keeps you out of the cold and rain.
- Ask for a high floor on the city side; the night view over Seoul is excellent.
- The breakfast buffet is busiest from 8 to 9am, so go down before or after that window for a calmer meal.