The Lotte name in Myeongdong refers to two distinct properties: the flagship Lotte Hotel Seoul, a 1,150-room luxury landmark that opened in 1979, and the newer, business-leaning Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong, which debuted in 2016 with 435 rooms. Both sit within a few minutes’ walk of Myeongdong Station, but they cater to different budgets and expectations. This guide maps their features, guest ratings, and trade-offs so you can decide which fits your trip to Seoul.

Last checked: 2026-06-20

Hotel name: Lotte Hotel Seoul (main tower) / Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong · Location: Heart of Myeongdong district, Seoul · Distance to Myeongdong Station: 5 minute walk · Year opened (City Hotel): 2016 · Number of rooms (City Hotel): 435 · Guest rating: 8.7 / 10

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-06-20.

Sources reviewed: Lotte Hotels & Resorts official website, Forbes Travel Guide, Oyster, Expedia, Hotels.com, TripAdvisor, Agoda, YouTube room-tour video, TikTok travel review, travel blog, TripAdvisor forum threads, Facebook Korea Travel Guide group.

No on-site visit, no staff interview, no independent price verification. Review data reflects aggregated user experiences.

Snapshot: Two Lotte properties in Myeongdong

1 Lotte Hotel Seoul
  • 1,150 rooms, opened 1979, luxury full-service hotel (Oyster)
2 Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong
  • 435 rooms, opened 2016, modern business-oriented city hotel (Expedia)
3 Location
4 Guest ratings
  • Lotte Hotel Seoul: 8.7/10 on Agoda; Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong: consistently praised for cleanliness and service on Hotels.com (Agoda)
Key facts at a glance
DetailLotte Hotel SeoulLotte City Hotel Myeongdong
Hotel nameLotte Hotel SeoulLotte City Hotel Myeongdong
Location30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulHeart of Myeongdong district, Seoul
Distance to Myeongdong Station< 5-minute walk< 5-minute walk
Year opened19792016
Number of rooms1,150435
Guest rating (Agoda)8.7 / 10Not individually rated on Agoda
Brand categoryFull-service luxuryModern business-oriented city hotel

How far is Lotte Hotel Seoul from Myeongdong?

Lotte Hotel Seoul sits at 30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, directly adjacent to the Myeongdong shopping district. The hotel’s main entrance is about a three-minute walk from Myeongdong Station (Line 4), and the property connects internally to Lotte Department Store, which opens onto the pedestrian shopping zone. Oyster notes that the hotel’s direct metro connection is a key accessibility advantage.

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong is similarly situated: guest reviews on Hotels.com consistently highlight the proximity to airport limousine bus stops and subway stations. Both properties place you within a five-minute walk of the main Myeongdong pedestrian street, though the flagship hotel sits across a busier road than the City Hotel.

Getting from Myeongdong Station to Lotte Hotel Seoul

Exit the station via gate 6 or 7, and you will see the Lotte Department Store complex. The hotel lobby is accessible through the department store’s ground floor or via a separate entrance on Eulji-ro. Taxis from the station drop off directly at the hotel’s main entrance; the ride costs approximately 4,000–5,000 KRW for a short hop (though walking is faster).

The bottom line: Both hotels offer walkable access to Myeongdong Station, with the flagship enjoying a direct department-store connection that shields guests from weather on the final approach.

Map placeholder: Interactive map showing Lotte Hotel Seoul (30 Eulji-ro) and Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong relative to Myeongdong Station, walking paths, and surrounding landmarks.

What are the room types at Lotte Hotel Seoul?

Lotte Hotel Seoul offers rooms across two towers: the main tower and the Executive Tower. A travel blog focused on Myeongdong accommodations describes the Executive Tower as featuring more spacious rooms with an upgraded feel. Standard categories include Deluxe, Executive, and various suite levels, with the Executive Tower rooms generally commanding higher rates.

Forbes Travel Guide notes that Wi-Fi is complimentary in all rooms, but breakfast is charged separately rather than included in the base rate. The property’s 1,150 rooms make it one of the largest full-service hotels in central Seoul according to Oyster.

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong, by contrast, offers 435 rooms that Expedia describes as featuring premium bedding and in-room amenities expected of a modern business hotel. Guest reviews on Agoda specifically note that rooms are quiet, with low noise from air-conditioning — a detail that frequent travellers appreciate.

The trade-off: Lotte Hotel Seoul offers category variety and suite options for those who want space and luxury; Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong delivers consistent, functional rooms at a lower price point, with quietness as a recurring positive.

Is Lotte a luxury hotel?

The Lotte Hotels & Resorts brand spans multiple tiers. Lotte Hotel Seoul is positioned as a full-service luxury property. Oyster awards it five pearls and describes it as a “grand old dame” of Seoul hospitality. Forbes Travel Guide points to its chandeliers, marble flooring, and golden fixtures as hallmarks of a palatial, grand-hotel aesthetic.

The amenities list supports that classification: Oyster reports six on-site international restaurants including Pierre Gagnaire à Seoul (which was South Korea’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant at the time of that review), three lounges, a bakery, a large spa with a salt room, an indoor pool with a waterfall feature, an oxygen room, a hot tub, an indoor golf driving range, and a gym with exercise classes such as Zumba and aerobics.

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong, in contrast, is explicitly positioned by the brand as a “modern, efficient property with practical services” aimed at business travellers. Lotte Hotels & Resorts describes the Lotte City sub-brand as offering comfortable rooms in convenient locations without the resort-style amenities of the flagship.

The implication: The flagship Lotte Hotel Seoul clearly qualifies as a luxury hotel in terms of facilities and dining; the City Hotel brand is a mid-uppscale business-oriented product.

“The interiors feature impressive chandeliers, marble flooring, and golden fixtures, giving the spaces a palatial, grand-hotel feel.”

— Forbes Travel Guide on Lotte Hotel Seoul

Is Lotte Hotel Seoul good?

Guest review platforms paint a positive picture. On Agoda, Lotte Hotel Seoul scores an 8.7 out of 10, with reviewers frequently praising its central location, overall maintenance, and attentive managers — some naming specific duty managers as responsive. On TripAdvisor, similar themes emerge: location, service, and the breadth of on-site dining are recurring positives.

For the City Hotel, reviews are also strong. Hotels.com guests highlight cleanliness and polite staff. Expedia reviewers call out the breakfast and helpful employees. Agoda guests specifically mention quiet rooms and friendly service. A TikTok creator described the City Hotel as “clean and more spacious than expected” for central Seoul at its price point.

One pattern emerges from forums: a TripAdvisor thread comparing the City Hotel to L7 Hongdae describes the main Lotte Hotel Seoul as a “classic staple” with tradition, while the City Hotel is seen as more functional. Room rates at the City Hotel generally run lower than the flagship’s, reflecting the business-hotel versus luxury positioning.

Pros and cons at a glance

Lotte Hotel Seoul

  • Pros: Extensive on-site dining (six restaurants), spa with salt room and indoor pool, direct department-store connection, complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Cons: Breakfast not included in base rate, older building (opened 1979) despite renovations, can feel crowded during peak tourist seasons

Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong

  • Pros: Newer property (opened 2016), quieter rooms, lower price point than flagship, strong cleanliness reviews
  • Cons: Fewer on-site amenities, no luxury spa or pool, less suitable for travellers seeking a resort-style stay

Is it better to stay in Gangnam or Myeong-dong?

For first-time visitors to Seoul, Myeongdong offers clear advantages in walkability and transit access. Both Lotte properties sit within five minutes of Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and are close to airport limousine bus stops — a point that Hotels.com reviewers for the City Hotel emphasize as a major plus.

Lotte Hotel Seoul’s location at 30 Eulji-ro places guests within walking distance of historic sites like Jongmyo Shrine and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Forum discussions on TripAdvisor suggest that travellers who prioritise shopping, street food, and dense urban energy tend to favour Myeongdong over Gangnam.

Gangnam, on the other hand, is home to the Lotte City Hotel Gangnam, which offers similar business-hotel amenities but in a district known for upscale shopping, K-pop industry presence, and a more spread-out layout. The choice often comes down to whether you want a compact, walkable hub (Myeongdong) or a modern, business district with larger streets and a different energy.

Why this matters: If your itinerary centres on Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon, and the downtown core, Myeongdong saves transit time. If your trip focuses on COEX, K-pop fan experiences, or Gangnam-specific venues, Gangnam may be more convenient.

Best for which travellers?

  • Couples: Lotte Hotel Seoul’s spa, indoor pool, and fine-dining options (including the Michelin-starred Pierre Gagnaire à Seoul) create a romantic, self-contained experience. The quieter rooms at the City Hotel also appeal to couples who prefer a calm retreat after exploring.
  • Business travellers: Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong is explicitly designed for this segment — efficient, modern, with practical services and complimentary Wi-Fi. The flagship’s larger rooms and Executive Tower also cater to business travellers who need work desks and meeting spaces.
  • First-time visitors to Seoul: Both properties work well, but the City Hotel’s lower price point and solid reviews make it a lower-risk choice for budget-conscious first-timers who want to be in the action without paying luxury rates.

Alternatives within the Lotte family

Beyond the two Myeongdong properties, Lotte Hotels & Resorts operates additional properties in Seoul. Lotte City Hotel Gangnam offers a similar mid-uppercase product in the Gangnam business district. The brand also runs Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil, a full-service property adjacent to Lotte World theme park, which appeals to families.

For travellers considering affordability, the City Hotel sub-brand is generally the most budget-friendly. On TripAdvisor forums, a user noted that Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong is “more affordable and convenient” compared to the flagship, while another described Lotte Hotel Seoul as a “classic staple” with tradition.

Our pick: Who should book which?

For luxury-seeking couples and food travellers: Lotte Hotel Seoul’s six on-site restaurants, spa complex, and palatial interiors make it the clear choice. Book an Executive Tower room for added space and an upgraded feel.

For practical-minded first-time visitors and business travellers: Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong delivers consistency, quiet rooms, and a central location at a lower price point. You sacrifice the Michelin-starred dining and resort amenities, but you gain a newer building and strong service reviews.

For those torn between districts: If you plan to spend most of your time in central Seoul, choose Myeongdong. If your trip revolves around Gangnam, look at Lotte City Hotel Gangnam for a similar product in that area.

What to expect in terms of pricing

Published rates for Lotte Hotel Seoul typically start around 340,000 KRW per night for a standard room, according to Agoda listings. Executive Tower rooms and suites cost more. Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong generally falls below that threshold, though exact prices vary by season and booking channel. Both properties are on the higher end for Seoul accommodations, reflecting their central Myeongdong location and the Lotte brand premium.

Note that breakfast is an additional fee at Lotte Hotel Seoul (per Forbes Travel Guide), which can add 30,000–50,000 KRW per person per day to your total. The City Hotel’s breakfast policy is less clearly documented across sources; free breakfast is occasionally included in promotional rates but not guaranteed.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the exact address of Lotte Hotel Seoul?

30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea. This address is confirmed by Forbes Travel Guide and Oyster.

Is there a Lotte City Hotel in Gangnam?

Yes, Lotte City Hotel Gangnam operates in the Gangnam business district. It follows the same mid-uppercase, modern business-hotel concept as the Myeongdong location.

Does Lotte Hotel Seoul have an Executive Tower?

Yes, the property consists of a main tower and an Executive Tower. The Executive Tower rooms are described by travel blogs as more spacious and with an upgraded feel.

What is the cheapest Lotte Hotel in Seoul?

Among Lotte-branded properties in Seoul, Lotte City Hotel Myeongdong and Lotte City Hotel Gangnam typically offer the lowest starting rates, reflecting their business-hotel positioning versus the flagship’s luxury tier.

How far is Myeongdong Station from Lotte Hotel Seoul by taxi?

The distance is approximately 300–400 metres, and a taxi ride would cost around 4,000–5,000 KRW and last less than five minutes. Walking is faster given the short distance.

What is the guest rating for Lotte Hotel Seoul on Agoda?

Lotte Hotel Seoul scores 8.7 out of 10 on Agoda, with reviewers frequently praising its central location and attentive managers.

The bottom line: Lotte Hotel Seoul scores 8.7 out of 10 on Agoda, with reviewers frequently praising its central location and attentive managers.