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.

This hotel will exceed your expectations. For starters, it is close to everything. There's even a designated subway exit that is next to the building. The staff was super friendly and helpful. The cleaning ladies were genuinely kind. They always greeted me with a warm welcome, bringing a cheerful start to my day. The breakfast buffet alone was great. The foods were high quality. There was a wide array of cuisines from western (eggs and bacon) to eastern (ex. mapao tofu to seaweed soup). The room was modern and the bed was comfortable. The view from my window was great.

The lighting in the bathroom is angled strangely, which makes it difficult to do hair and makeup. The lighting should be directly over the mirror allowing one to clearly see their image in the mirror. Instead, the lighting is a bit further back, causing one to see extreme shadows over the face instead. I also did get locked in the gym once due to a door malfunction. But the staff was super helpful and reassured me that the issue had been resolved. The elevators can be slow at times.

Have stayed here before last year and returned because of the good experience from the previous trip! The hotel is conveniently located near to Hongik University station (Exit 5) and the AREX station, some of the other subway exits are not that far off too (Exits 4 and 7). Exit 4 is useful on rainy days as it connects to the hotel directly with shelter. There is also a lift near AK Plaza which you can use if you are travelling with luggages and prefer not to use the escalator. For breakfast, you can sample delicious food (fried rice, fried udon, noodles, bread, cereal, etc.). International plug sockets were readily available so there was no need to use any travel adaptor. CU is located right below in case you feel peckish and need a late night snack.

Perhaps consider more varieties of food for breakfast, for the benefit of guests who stay for a number of days xD

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

Location was good, and had direct access to the train station (one of the exits nearer to the Airport line so that was good!) Room service cleaned the room up very well everyday! We got the room with extra space so it was comfortable for two of us and we had sufficient space to open our luggage fully and pack comfortably. We had breakfast included but did not go for the provided breakfast as we saw the reviews and didn’t want to fight for a table.

Bed was a little small, it was a small queen so it was quite tight for my husband and myself! Pillows were also quite soft… we went in the heart of summer, and that weekend we were there, there was the heatwave. It was unbearably hot outside and unfortunately the air conditioning is a central one, so we couldn’t adjust the temperature in our room. It wasn’t strong and took awhile to cool down, which was quite annoying especially since we kept coming back to the room for respite

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

1. Great location: 1 minute from the Hongik University station entrance. Hongik Univ station has several train lines (including Airport Express direct to Incheon airport), so it's more convenient than staying in Myeongdong if you plan to go sightseeing. Also, the hotel is directly connected to a mall (AK Plaza) with food options and a convenience store. 2. Room: size (Queen) was ok, similar to standard sized hotel rooms in other countries- we could keep open 1 medium + 1 small suitcase, and still move around comfortably. The smaller rooms probably too tight for comfort. Room is very clean. Comfortable bed and great pillows - two sets of pillows, and they come labelled Soft and Firm :) 3. Good breakfast range. 4. Pleasant and very courteous staff.

1. Lighting in room could be better - especially a light above the wall mirror would be helpful for ladies. Otherwise, you have to squint into a tiny table mirror or do makeup in the bathroom. 2. Gym is in a small windowless room and with basic equipment.

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.

I loved the location, it has a metro entrance right in front of AK Plaza (which is where the entrance for the hotel is). The circle line and airport line stop at Hongik University and that is so so convenient! Also red street is just a minute away. There is so much to shop in the immediate area. The room was quite spacious and clean. The beds were amazing! The bathroom was also spacious. The staff was kind and helpful. We truly loved staying here.

Nothing comes to mind!

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.