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- Title: Best Hotels for Solo Travel in Korea 2026: Recommendations | HotelPing
- Meta Description: Planning a solo trip? Find cost-effective and safe hotel recommendations in Korea for solo travelers, plus a must-have checklist.
- URL: /magazine/solo-travel-hotel-korea-2026
- Keywords: solo travel hotel, solo accommodation, 1 person travel recommendation, solo trip
Table of Contents
- Why Hotels Matter for Solo Travel
- Criteria for Choosing a Solo Traveler's Hotel
- Best Solo Travel Hotels by Region
- Recommendations by Price Range
- Tips for Booking Solo Travel Hotels
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why Hotels Matter for Solo Travel
Solo travel offers the freedom to do as you please.
Wake up when you want, go only where you want, and eat only what you want. But to truly enjoy this freedom, your accommodation needs to be comfortable.
Reasons Why Hotels Are Important for Solo Travelers
- Safety: Since you're alone, a place with good security is essential.
- Location: A neighborhood safe enough to walk around at night.
- Convenience: Close to convenience stores and good restaurants.
- Value for Money: No need for overkill as you're traveling alone.
Guesthouses? They're nice, but sometimes you just want to rest quietly. That's when a hotel is the answer.
Criteria for Choosing a Solo Traveler's Hotel
Safety
Safety is the most important factor when traveling alone.
Check Points:
- 24-hour front desk
- Card key/password entry
- CCTV installation
- Female-only floors (for female solo travelers)
Places to Avoid:
- Secluded locations down narrow alleys
- Reviews mentioning "noisy" or "scary"
- Places that look drastically different from the photos
Location
Solo travel often involves a lot of walking. Being close to a train station or bus terminal is ideal.
Ideal Location:
- Within a 5-minute walk to a subway station
- Within a 3-minute walk to a convenience store
- Area with many restaurants and cafes
- Busy streets with people even at night
Value for Money
Since you're alone, room size isn't important. A bed, shower facilities, and Wi-Fi are enough.
Saving Points:
- Single room or standard room
- Breakfast not included (eating out is more fun)
- Weekday bookings (30-50% cheaper than weekends)
Amenities
What Solo Travelers Need:
- Good Wi-Fi (essential)
- Multiple power outlets (many devices to charge)
- Cafe/lounge (good for sitting alone and reading)
- Laundry service (for longer trips)
Nice to Have:
- Self check-in (convenient without face-to-face interaction)
- Late check-out (sleep in since you're alone)
- Luggage storage service
Best Solo Travel Hotels by Region
Seoul — The Holy Land of Solo Travel
Seoul is the best city for solo travel. Perfect public transportation, many places open 24 hours, and a well-developed culture of eating alone.
Recommended Areas for Solo Travel:
Hongdae/Hapjeong
- Atmosphere: Young and vibrant
- Pros: Plenty of restaurants, lively late into the night
- Cons: Crowded on weekends
Euljiro/Chungmuro
- Atmosphere: Hip alleys, old shops
- Pros: Great spots for "Seoul vibe" photos
- Cons: Becomes quiet at night
Seongsu-dong
- Atmosphere: Cafes, concept stores, galleries
- Pros: Good for solo walks
- Cons: Limited hotel options
See Seoul Solo Travel Hotels →
Busan — Zoning Out by the Sea
Busan is the best city to clear your head while watching the sea alone.
Recommended Areas for Solo Travel:
Haeundae
- Beach walks, many restaurants for solo dining
- Large hotels offer good safety
Gwangalli
- Quieter than Haeundae
- Enjoy a beer with a view of the Gwangandaegyo Bridge at night
Seomyeon
- Busan's center, convenient transportation
- Many budget-friendly hotels
See Busan Solo Travel Hotels →
Jeju — Your Own Healing Time
Jeju is a solo traveler's paradise if you have a rental car. Drive, reflect, visit places you want to go, and stop by pretty cafes.
Recommended Areas for Solo Travel:
Jeju City
- Close to the airport, many restaurants
- Wide range of accommodation options
Aewol
- Many ocean-view cafes
- Great for sitting alone and watching the sea
Seogwipo
- Natural scenery, quiet atmosphere
- Recommended for long-term solo travelers
Caution: Traveling in Jeju is inconvenient without a rental car. Bus intervals are long, leading to a lot of wasted time.
Gangneung — 2 Hours from Seoul
2 hours from Seoul by KTX. A weekend day trip for solo travel is possible, but staying one night offers more relaxation.
Solo Travel Recommendations:
- Walk along Gyeongpo Beach
- Anmok Beach Coffee Street (for solo coffee breaks)
- Gangneung Jungang Market (a haven for solo dining)
See Gangneung Solo Travel Hotels →
Gyeongju — A Stroll Through History
Walking through historical sites alone is surprisingly healing. Renting a bike makes a day fly by.
Solo Travel Recommendations:
- Stroll through Daereungwon
- Cafe hopping in Hwangridan-gil
- Bulguksa Temple/Seokguram Grotto (half-day trip)
See Gyeongju Solo Travel Hotels →
Jeonju — A Culinary Solo Trip
Jeonju is a city you visit to eat. With many restaurants perfect for solo dining, it's a paradise for solo travelers.
Solo Travel Recommendations:
- Walk through Hanok Village
- Jeonju Bibimbap, Kongnamul Gukbap (bean sprout soup)
- Nambu Market Night Market
See Jeonju Solo Travel Hotels →
Recommendations by Price Range
Under ₩50,000 (Approx. $35) — Ultimate Value
Since you're alone, you just need a place to sleep. Clean and safe is enough.
What to Look For:
- Single room/standard room
- Near the station
- Check recent reviews (for cleanliness)
Recommended Solo Travel Stays Under ₩50,000
- Hongseong Rampart Hotel — Hongseong, ★9.8/10 (123 reviews)
- Ulsan Seongnamdong Saetbyeol — Ulsan, ★9.7/10 (418 reviews)
- Hongseong Hotel Urban Brown — Hongseong, ★9.6/10 (398 reviews)
₩50,000 - ₩100,000 (Approx. $35 - $69) — Most Recommended
At this price range, you can find places with good location, cleanliness, and amenities.
Recommended Solo Travel Stays Between ₩50,000 - ₩100,000
- ONLY 5MIN TO SUBWAY — Seoul, ★9.9/10 (60 reviews)
- Guro's Private House (m², 1 Bedroom, 1 Private Bathroom) — Seoul, ★9.9/10 (23 reviews)
- Iksan Hotel Gabolga — Iksan, ★9.8/10 (183 reviews)
₩100,000 - ₩150,000 (Approx. $69 - $103) — Investing in Yourself
If the reason for your solo trip is "time for myself," it's worth investing a bit more.
Advantages of This Price Range:
- Ocean view/city view
- Good bedding
- Option for breakfast included
Recommended Solo Travel Stays Between ₩100,000 - ₩150,000
- J107 #Newly Opened #3-Minute Walk from Hongdae Entrance Exit 6# Stylish Accommodation — Seoul, ★9.8/10 (24 reviews)
- Ulsan Crescent Moon — Ulsan, ★9.7/10 (30 reviews)
- Giverny Hotel — Gyeongju, ★9.7/10 (29 reviews)
Over ₩150,000 (Approx. Over $103) — Luxury Solo Travel
Sometimes, you need a gift-like trip for yourself.
Recommended Luxury Solo Travel Stays Over ₩150,000
- Elie Stay — Seoul, ★9.5/10 (40 reviews)
- Pohang Escape Ocean View Pool Villa — Pohang, ★9.4/10 (54 reviews)
- Signiel Seoul — Seoul, ★9.3/10 (6013 reviews)
Tips for Booking Solo Travel Hotels
1. Book on Weekdays
30-50% cheaper than Friday-Saturday. If you can adjust your schedule, go for weekdays.
2. Search for Single Rooms
Searching with keywords like "1 person," "single," or "solo" can sometimes reveal special rates for solo travelers.
3. Search "Solo" in Reviews
Searching reviews with "I came alone..." allows you to see actual reviews from solo travelers.
4. Check Location via Street View
Use Google Maps Street View to check the actual surroundings. Skip places that seem scary at night.
5. Prefer Self Check-in
When traveling alone, it can be inconvenient to meet check-in times. Places with self check-in are more convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is it safe for a woman to travel alone?
Korea is generally safe, but basic precautions are necessary. Choose accommodations near busy areas, with a 24-hour front desk, and good reviews.
Q. Guesthouse vs. Hotel, which is better for solo travel?
Choose a guesthouse if you want to meet new people, and a hotel if you want to rest quietly. Both have pros and cons.
Q. Can I book a double room if I'm staying alone?
Of course, you can. If the price difference isn't significant, a larger room might be more comfortable. However, check if there's an extra charge for an additional person.
Q. What should I say if the staff asks "Are you here alone?" at check-in?
Just say "Yes." Many people travel solo these days, so staff won't pay much attention.
Q. What if I feel lonely while traveling alone?
If you feel lonely, go to a cafe and people-watch. You don't need to converse; being in a space with people can make you feel less lonely.
Conclusion
Traveling alone is not a luxury, but a necessity.
It's about escaping the complexities of daily life and having time for yourself. That's the essence of solo travel.
When choosing a hotel, just remember this:
"A place that is safe, well-located, and comfortable for me alone."
Then you're halfway there.