Staying in Jongno: Jongno 3-ga or 5-ga, and would you book a Korean motel?
A first-timer on the Tripadvisor Seoul forum had settled on Jongno and was choosing between two private-room stays, one near Jongno 3-ga station and one near Jongno 5-ga. The second had the nicer room, but they had read that 3-ga was the better base.
What the replies said
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Jongno 3-ga was described as the heart of a very walkable area: narrow lanes, few cars, lots of people on foot, plenty of atmosphere. Three subway lines meet there, so the rest of the city is easier to reach.
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Jongno 5-ga is close enough to walk between the two, and still a reasonable choice.
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One reply took the thread sideways: skip both and stay in a Korean motel. Many are wildly themed and nothing like a Western motel, often hidden in lively alleys full of places to eat.
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Others agreed motels can be great value: spacious, lots of features, interesting amenity kits. Choose the overnight rate rather than the hourly one, know that not all are on booking sites, and ask for non-smoking.
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A parent who stayed in one with children in a loft room said they saw only ordinary tourists and it never felt seedy.
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Another tip: staying near 3-ga saves transfers, which can eat more time than you expect.
Desk note If you try a motel, read recent reviews for two things: smoke smell and street noise. On Korean booking apps, prices are often shown separately for a short daytime stay and an overnight stay, so check you are booking the overnight one.
Would you book a themed Korean motel, or stick with a hotel or guesthouse?
Original thread: Tripadvisor Seoul forum — choosing a stay in Jongno
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