Dongdaemun Affordable Luxury Stays: How to Choose a Pool and Spa Hotel

Long Weekend Haus DDP (Dongdaemun) is located at 15-3 Ssangnim-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. According to information reconfirmed on the official page on 2026-09-19, there are 7 room types across 12 units (numbers 101 to 702), ranging from a suite with a base occupancy of 2 and maximum of 4, up to the 702 rooftop suite with a base occupancy of 4 and maximum of 8, featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Every unit is a full apartment style space, not a single hotel room.

The first question in deciding where to stay is not "does it have a pool," but rather "for this Dongdaemun trip, do I want the flexibility of a full apartment with self check in, or a hotel with its own pool and spa facilities." Both options exist within the Dongdaemun district, and the room types, facilities, and prices for each are listed below in order.

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul is located at 279 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, right next to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and the original DDP site. It is a rare five star hotel in the Dongdaemun district that has both an indoor pool and a spa center, with 170 rooms listed on its official page.

The facilities are centered on the Club 501 fitness and leisure floor, which includes a 25 meter indoor temperature controlled pool, a children's pool, a jacuzzi, and The JW Spa, which uses L'OCCITANE product lines and includes a sauna and steam room. The spa center does not allow children under 6 years old to enter.

Room types range from Deluxe Room and Executive Deluxe Room to Deluxe Suite and Deluxe Executive Suite. As of a 2026-10-03 check, the Deluxe Room's published rate starts at around KRW 338,100, while a separate OTA quote shows a one night stay on January 4, 2026 at about USD 239 (tax included), notably higher than the starting prices of the other hotels on this list.

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul official page

Long Weekend Haus DDP (Dongdaemun)

For two couples wanting separate bedrooms, there is the Restaurant Suite at rooms 201/301/401 (base 2, max 4 people, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, about 35 square meters). For groups of three to six, whether family or friends, the Maru Suite at rooms 202/302/402 is suitable (base 3, max 6 people, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, about 44 square meters). For larger groups of four to eight, there is the 702 rooftop suite (base 4, max 8 people, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, about 69 square meters).

Check in is at 15:00 and check out at 11:00, with self check in via electronic lock. The entire property is non smoking and does not allow pets. An extra bed for guests exceeding a room type's base occupancy costs an additional KRW 10,000 per person per night. The flexible rate plan allows free cancellation up to 14 days before check in (confirmed on the official page as of 2026-09-14). This property holds an aggregate rating of 9.5/10 on Trip.com (based on 66 reviews, as checked on 2026-09-14).

To check room types and availability directly, visit the Dongdaemun property page on the Long Weekend Haus official website.

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residence

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residence is a 5 minute walk from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. Of its 523 rooms, 331 are hotel rooms and 192 are residence units with kitchens and laundry facilities. It is currently the only hotel in the Dongdaemun area with a rooftop open air pool.

There are two pool facilities, indoor and rooftop. The indoor pool is open from 07:00 to 21:30, while the rooftop pool is open from 10:00 to 18:00 Monday through Thursday and from 10:00 to 21:30 Friday through Sunday. The rooftop pool is restricted to guests aged 19 and older. Pool use requires on site reservation, and guests may only use either the indoor or the rooftop pool on a given day, not both. The facilities are closed on the first Tuesday of every month.

Room types include the Executive Room (twin or king bed) and the Premier Room (1 bedroom residence). As of a 2026-10-03 OTA check, a one night stay on January 5, 2026 starts at around KRW 237,000.

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun official page

Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Dongdaemun

Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Dongdaemun is located at 224 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, a 5 minute walk from both Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station and Euljiro 4(sa)-ga Station. The official page lists 219 rooms. It is a mid to upper tier hotel often included in affordable luxury lists for the Dongdaemun area, but neither the official site nor major booking platforms list a pool or spa facility. It offers only standard double rooms, twin rooms, and other room types, along with communal lounge areas.

The standard double room features soundproofing, a down duvet, and a pillow menu, with a rain shower bathroom. As of a 2026-10-03 OTA check, a one night stay on January 5, 2026 costs around USD 76 (USD 84 with tax included).

Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Dongdaemun booking page

Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun

Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun is located at 17-2 Euljiro 6-gil, Jung-gu, a 4 minute walk from Exit 14 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station and about 350 meters from Dongdaemun Station. It is frequently mentioned as an affordable luxury option in the Dongdaemun district, but the only swimming facility listed by the official site and booking platforms is a children's pool, with no pool or spa center for adult use.

Room types include Standard Double/Twin, Triple, and Family Room. As of a 2026-10-03 OTA check, the Standard Double/Twin room starts at around KRW 130,750, while the Family Room starts at around KRW 357,074. The communal spaces mainly consist of a garden terrace, a fitness center, and a shared kitchen.

Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun booking page

Comparing the Five Properties

Basis and Standards

• JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul: The JW Spa does not allow children under 6 into the spa area. The indoor pool is a 25 meter temperature controlled pool. The official page lists 170 rooms.
• Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun: The rooftop open air pool is restricted to guests aged 19 and older. The indoor pool operates from 07:00 to 21:30, while the rooftop pool operates from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 21:30 on weekends, with the first Tuesday of each month closed for facility maintenance. Pool use requires on site reservation, and only one pool may be used per day. The official page lists 523 rooms (331 hotel rooms plus 192 residences).
• Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Dongdaemun: Neither the official site nor booking platforms list any pool or spa facility specifications. The property has 219 rooms.
• Long Weekend Haus DDP: Holds a Trip.com rating of 9.5/10, based on 66 reviews, checked on 2026-09-14. Room types and occupancy limits were checked on 2026-09-19.
• 2026 room rates for each hotel are OTA public quotes checked on 2026-10-03, which fluctuate based on check in date and room type and are not fixed list prices.

Sources: Long Weekend Haus DDP official page (room types and policies)

Sources: Trip.com Long Weekend Haus guest rating

Sources: JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul official page

Sources: Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun official page

Sources: Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Dongdaemun booking page

Sources: Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun booking page