The One Hostel Hongdae
by the TopOfHotel team
The One is a cheap, central Hongdae hostel — dorm beds from $16 and a reception that never closes.
The One is a cheap, central Hongdae hostel — dorm beds from $16 and a reception that never closes.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The One Hostel Hongdae sits in a four-floor grey-white building that has been open since 2013, so it looks more worn than the newer hostels in this group. Most guests book the 8-bed mixed dorm at $16 a night — a 14-square-metre room with four wood-and-metal bunks, each bed with a privacy curtain (a little old), a power outlet, a reading light and a small 40-litre under-bed locker. Sheets are clean and white, the pillows soft. There is also a 6-bed female-only dorm and a 10-square-metre private double with a double bed and an ensuite bathroom.
Food and amenities
The two shared bathrooms have strong hot showers and free Innisfree toiletries. Mornings bring free coffee, tea and toast from 06:00 to 10:00 — buttered toast with jam, americano and tea. It is not a full buffet, but it fills you up, and a nearby restaurant does a proper one if you want more. The medium-sized common area seats 12, with sofas, chairs, a TV and 100 Mbps Wi-Fi.
Location and getting there
It is a 10-minute walk to Hongik University Station, a touch further out than the others here. The standout is the spot next to KT&G Sangsangmadang Hongdae — a free contemporary-arts centre run by KT&G, the Korean tobacco company, in an eight-floor black-and-white building with galleries, an indie cinema, a design shop and a cafe. Hongdae Walking Street is a 5-minute walk for food and shopping.
Things to know before booking
The building is older and the dorm lockers are on the small side, so set your expectations to functional budget rather than fresh and modern. The two shared bathrooms queue up between 08:00 and 09:30, so shower at 07:00 or after 10:00. And at a 10-minute walk from the station, it is the furthest-out option on this list — fine on foot, but worth knowing if you are hauling luggage.
Our take
The One is the pick here for travellers on a tight budget or with late and early flights — dorm beds from $16, a real 24-hour reception and a central Hongdae spot beside the KT&G arts centre. It scores 8.1/10 across more than 1,800 reviews. Want something newer and more design-led? Look at CLEO. After a party scene? Time Travelers is the one.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A bed in the 8-bed mixed dorm starts at $16 a night, a good price among the Hongdae hostels.
- The 24-hour reception lets you check in or out at any hour, and there is no late check-in fee after 22:00 — handy for late or early flights.
- Central Hongdae location, a 2-minute walk from KT&G Sangsangmadang, the free contemporary-arts centre, and 5 minutes from Hongdae Walking Street.
- There is a 6-bed female-only dorm for travellers who want a women-only room.
- Free coffee, tea and toast in the morning from 06:00 to 10:00, plus 100 Mbps Wi-Fi in the common area.
- It is a 10-minute walk to Hongik University Station, a little further out than the other hostels here.
- The building is older — open since 2013 — and looks more worn than the newer hostels in the group.
- The two shared bathrooms get a queue in the morning between 08:00 and 09:30.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Arrivals are fine 24/7 — even a late flight off the ICN airport train (AREX) getting in around 23:00 works here, with no late fee.
- KT&G Sangsangmadang is a 2-minute walk and free to enter — galleries, an indie cinema and a design shop over eight floors.
- Free coffee and buttered toast with jam run 06:00 to 10:00; shower at 07:00 or after 10:00 to skip the 08:00–09:30 bathroom rush.