Seoul's teeming metropolitan centre is home to an excellent selection of upscale and mid-range hotels. The finest establishments are found in Insadong, a neighbourhood of Jongno, as well as in the upmarket and international Gangnam district. Budget travellers are also well accommodated in a range of guest houses and inns.

The best part of staying in a Seoul hotel is the level of hospitality and service it affords. Even travellers who are staying well below the five-star mark almost always find that their hosts remain generous and gracious. At the top end, this international city hosts a mix of well-known chain hotels and privately-owned establishments.

The Westin Chosun Hotel in Jongno is one of the city's finest hotels. It has been in operation for almost a century, and recent renovations have made it even better than before. A full range of facilities are available. Also in Jongno, the Somerset Palace boasts modern facilities, excellent service and both a Korean and a Western restaurant. The Park Hyatt is in Gangnam and is well located in the midst of a large shopping district.

The central district in Seoul, Jongno, is a fusion of historic attractions and modern amenities. Cultural institutions ranging from tea houses to traditional theatres are on hand. The finest hotels are in the Insadong district and offer excellent service and views of royal palaces. Guests of this area can enjoy the finest dining and shopping options the city has to offer.

The Daehangno district along College Street is still a cultural destination popular with young locals despite the fact that the college has moved on. This is an excellent place to book a hotel as it is close to theatres, cafés and numerous upscale restaurants. Street performers and fortune tellers also work at the ground level.

Itaewon is a favourite district for Western tourists, and foreigners have been a mainstay of the region since the advent of the adjacent US military base. Fine hotels in this area cater to international tastes with full service and a range of restaurants. Stepping out of the hotel, visitors have access to countless cafés, restaurants and shopping options, with an emphasis on name-brand department stores.

Heading south across the river is the Gangnam district, an area known more for its entertainment and nightlife than for its cultural and historic attractions. A wide range of hotels are situated here within reach of fashionable shopping districts and restaurants. Real estate is especially expensive here so hotel prices are higher, but the price affords a central location in Seoul's most cosmopolitan district.