Starria Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
Starria is the best hostel here for backpackers — clean, well-designed, an 8.8 score for a price in the low $20s.
Starria is the best hostel here for backpackers — clean, well-designed, an 8.8 score for a price in the low $20s.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
For a backpacker stay in Myeongdong, Starria Hostel is the one we most want to point you to. There is a mix of shared dorms and a limited number of private rooms, and what sets the place apart from the usual hostel is how it looks: clean, tidy and properly put-together rather than a run-down cheap bed that competes on price alone. The cleanliness and value categories both score very highly here.
Food and amenities
The common spaces do a lot of the work. There is a shared kitchen and a washing machine, both of which save you more money on a longer trip, plus free Wi-Fi, luggage storage and a non-smoking common area where you can sit, relax and end up talking to other travellers. That last part is the charm a normal hotel cannot really give you, and it is why this place works so well for anyone travelling alone.
Location and getting there
Starria sits in Myeongdong near Namsan, with the shopping street and the subway both about 8 minutes on foot. There is a convenience store roughly 90 m from the door, and N Seoul Tower on Namsan is about 1.2 km away, reached by cable car. It is an easy base for exploring Myeongdong and hopping the train to the rest of Seoul.
Things to know before booking
This is a hostel, so you share dorms and common spaces with other guests — fine if that is what you want, less so if you do not. The private rooms are limited in number, so book ahead if one matters to you. And there is no hotel-style service; the place suits self-sufficient travellers happy to look after themselves.
Our take
Starria Hostel is the best fit for backpackers, solo travellers and budget-minded guests who want somewhere clean and well-located for the lightest possible price. We recommend it honestly — it is the best-value stay in our Myeongdong list, and the 8.8 score from real guests backs that up.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Prices start in the low $20s — around $26, the lightest on the list.
- The real-guest score is a high 8.8, well above what the price would suggest, and level with much pricier hotels here.
- It is cleaner and better-designed than a typical hostel — tidy and put-together, not a run-down cheap bed.
- There is a common area to sit and relax, plus a shared kitchen and washing machine that save you more on a longer trip.
- The location in Myeongdong near Namsan puts the shopping street and the subway about 8 minutes away on foot.
- It is a hostel, so you share dorms and common spaces with other guests — best if that suits you.
- Private rooms are limited in number, so book well ahead if you want one.
- There is no hotel-style service here; it suits self-sufficient travellers who are happy looking after themselves.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Seoul
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Seoul — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in SeoulAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Book ahead if you want a private room — there are only a limited number of them.
- Use the shared kitchen and washing machine to save more, especially on a longer trip.
- Hang out in the common area — it is where travellers meet and talk, which makes it ideal for solo trips.