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

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.

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!

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.

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.

Nothing

Very good location, just beside Hongik University exit 5

Not much, the breakfast was average in selections and taste

The breakfast is bonus. Good varieties, better go early otherwise too many persons.

Room facilities can be more updated

The breakfast was included and had a good variation of Asian dishes mostly. The location was perfect, right next to the metro station and in the heart of Hongdae neighborhood with many shops and restaurants/bars. The hotel is connected to K-plaza a mall with a lot of shops and restaurants. Convenient stores are just downstairs. The staff is super kind and storage for luggage is free of charge.

The rooms could have been slightly bigger. The breakfast hours could also be a little bit longer (at least in the weekend) but because there is a lunch organised in the midday hours i understand the kitchen needs time to set this up.

The location is fantastic, right above Hongik University Station Exit 5 nearest to the AREX platform. This means if you need to catch an early flight in the morning or you are arriving into Seoul late at night via Incheon Airport or Gimpo Airport, this is probably one of the best hotels to check into. It is also a stone's throw away from the main Hongdae area and the Gyeongui Line Forest Park. The AK Plaza Hongdae is also situated just below the hotel (Hotel lobby is at 7th floor). There are also more than enough convenient stores surrounding the hotel for one to access daily necessities. Staff is awesome and basic necessities are cleanliness are there. Thumbs up.

I made a reservation for the Standard Queen Room which was slightly cheaper than the other rooms. This room faces inwards towards the hotel corridor instead of outwards towards Hongdae. You cannot tell day from night since the room faces inwards. You are unlikely to be drawing up the blinds as the window faces the corridor. It is kind of weird. I would suggest that one tops up a little more to get a view-facing room. Also, if you are not the heaviest of sleepers, you might get awaken by the noise along the corridor as the soundproofing is not the best. But if you are not bothered by the two issues I have just mentioned, I believe you will have an awesome stay in this hotel.