Small tip: when you first enter you will see two elevators. In a jet lagged state you might not notice that there's a third elevator behind you. I wondered why the elevator wasn't coming and that's because the one behind me was waiting patiently for me for about 5 minutes. The hotel was very easy to reach from the airport as its located directly on the all stop train line above Hongik University station and close to line 2 which provides easy access to the rest of Seoul. Exit 5 is clearly marked so the hotel entrance is easy to find. It is also situated directly above a shopping mall and convenience store so it was very easy to get food and drinks and I used the Wow Pass machine in the lobby to get a Korean debit card and T-Money card for transportation. There were international plug sockets next to the bed so I didn't need to bring a travel adapter. The free buffet breakfast starts as early as 6:30am and had a good selection of asian and western food choices. Cereals, fruits, bread, scrambled egg, bacon, sausages, fries, spring rolls, samosas, rice and noodles were all delicious. Some of the items are rotated so it's not always the same selection each day.

In winter, the room was 23c/74f even with the heat turned off which was a bit too warm for me as I only brought winter clothes. Thankfully the window can be opened slightly to lower the temperature. Either the walls are thin or guests were too loud but sometimes I could hear the guests in the next room talking.

From the moment we arrived at your hotel, we were impressed by the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff at the front desk greeted us with genuine smiles and provided a seamless check-in process, which set a positive tone for our entire stay. The room we stayed in was not only comfortable but also impeccably clean. The attention to detail in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene, especially in these challenging times, did not go unnoticed and is a testament to your commitment to guest satisfaction. The modern and well-appointed room amenities ensured that we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The hotel's location in the vibrant Hongdae neighborhood was perfect for us. We enjoyed easy access to numerous shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The proximity to public transportation made exploring Seoul a breeze, and we appreciated the helpful recommendations from your concierge team for nearby activities and dining options. The complimentary breakfast at the hotel was another highlight of our stay. The variety of options catered to different tastes, and the quality of the food exceeded our expectations. It was a delightful way to start our days and fueled us for our adventures around the city. Additionally, the exceptional service provided by your staff deserves special mention. Each team member we encountered, from housekeeping to the restaurant staff, went out of their way to ensure our needs were met. Their professionalism and dedication to guest satisfaction truly enhanced our stay. As a family, we have traveled to many destinations around the world, and I can confidently say that our experience at the Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae Hotel ranks among the best. Your commitment to creating a welcoming, comfortable, and memorable guest experience is commendable.

I could not ask for more

We extended our stay for a few more nights because we were very happy with the hotel: - fantastic location, right at Hongik station (line 2, airport line) - room had a great view - iron and ironing boards worked really well - breakfast was included and had lots of choices

A few things that could be improved: - breakfast variety: I really really wish there was more fruit or at least different fruit offered on every other day. The only thing offered every day were bananas, oranges and rambutan. Other meal offers such as soups, stir fry, salads varied throughout the week for instance. Waffles or pancakes would be a plus, again as the options for sweet food could be improved. - missing a proper closet and a few more hooks in the room’s hallway, there was not a lot of space to hang things - the ventilation often took a while to get going and cool down the room - number of washing machines and dryers was too few for the number of guests in the hotel → simple suggestion for improvement: make them available to use 24/7

The location was superb! Built over Hongik University Station Exit 5 was the easiest way to access public transportation to all tourist spots in Seoul, including trending Seongsu via direct Green subway line. And the most convenient access to Incheon International Airport is from the same place on Blue line. Caveat: Blue line is the subway so avoid bringing huge luggage. If you want direct express train, take AREX from Seoul Station.

Warning, pajamas and toothbrushes and toothpastes are not provided. Nor is there free coffee or water in the lobby. There are coffee and tea packets in your room with 2 free water bottles.

The hotel sits above a shopping mall and is very near to the popular Hongdae shopping street with plenty to see, shop and eat, yet far enough from the hustle and bustle to offer a quiet accommodation. It is also next to the Hongik University subway station, which is connected directly to many tourist attractions like Myeongdong (6 stops), Dongdaemun (9 stops), Gangnam, COEX Mall and Lotte World. The express bus from the Incheon airport stops along the main road outside the hotel (airport train to Hongik is not recommended as the station is only served by the all-stop train and not express train).

We booked a room for three with a queen and single bed. It is small and tight for three with limited space to place our luggage bags (although I think it should be fine for two). Noise insulation is not good and we could hear noises from upstairs. Buffet breakfast offers a decent spread but they are the same every day, so it can get boring after a few days.

Stayed here with my fiance. The hotel is very clean and the room was comfortable! It was very close to the train station. The breakfast had a lot of options and delicious. It is also walking distance to all the good restaurants and bars in Hongdae. Will definitely stay at the Holiday Inn Express again the next time I'm in Seoul.

I like the breakfast is included, but there was one day when everyone seemed to arrive at the same time, around 9am. As a result, we had to wait in a queue for 10 to 15 minutes, and a lot of the food had already run out. However, the chefs did refill the dishes, even past the official closing time of 9:30am. I really like how the hotel is conveniently located right above a metro station, and it's on the airport line, making it easy to travel to both Incheon and Gimpo Airports. There's also a lift at Exit 5, which is really helpful when you have may suitcases. The room is spacious. I appreciated the complimentary water bottles placed in our room each day.

The rooms weren’t soundproof at all. I’m not exaggerating when I say I could literally hear every word my mum was saying in the room next to ours! The lift were really slow. There are like 4 or 5 lifts yet it takes forever for it to arrive and when it does it is already full of people.

Excellent hotel right next to Hongdae station. We were transiting in Seoul for 3 nights, and needed somewhere that was close to Seoul's milongas. The lobby is very impressive, and the staff were friendly and efficient. The room was fine, but could have done with a bit more storage. Good bathroom, bed, etc. We would happily stay here again.

The lifts are always crowded and take ages to arrive, whcih can be stressful when you're arriving from a long haul flight and just want to get to your room/when you're leaving in a hurry. We also had a problem with the heating in our room (it was minus 4 degrees outside!), but it was resolved very quickly by the maintenance staff. The breakfast was a bit chaotic, especially at the end of the breakfast hours, since there are no extended weekend breakfast hours.

Love the room! Excellent view of the city below. Found the beds to be comfortable. The room was nicely laid out. We liked the furniture included (desk & chair) & the accent chair was a nice touch. Appreciated the coffee & tea options. The bathroom has a clever door design that serves also to enclose the shower. Everything is close by! I was not missing a single thing, except for maybe more days to stay longer. Highly recommend it. Yes, it costs a bit more but considering that you have everything you could possibly need, then it's worth the extra paid.

No complaints, the property was excellent!

I love to stay at Sono Calm Goyang. It was lovely stay. Hotel room is OK not too big but bed is comfortable. Breakfast was good !! Staffs are so friendly and helpful. just that the location is super nice !! walking distance to Hongdae fashion & restaurants street. We used metro to go to everywhere. Down stairs of hotel, there is AK Plaza and a convenient store and a few restaurants. Overall we are very satisfied with staying at this hotel. There is coin Laundry at 16F which is very convenient. There is Airport Railroad metro station right below of hotel. We just love this hotel.

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