Myeongdong Station vs. Hongik University Station Hotels: Comparing Exits, Distance, Rooms, and Price

Choosing between hotels near Myeongdong Station and Hongik University Station requires comparing the station layout, the walking distance measured to each landmark, the room configuration, and the price together with the date it was recorded, each on its own terms. The two stations differ in how many lines pass through them and how their exits are arranged, and each hotel chain discloses a different number of rooms and prices depending on when you check, so it is safer to copy the figures straight from the booking page rather than rely on marketing copy.

Myeongdong Station and Hongik University Station have different line and exit layouts

Myeongdong Station is served by only one line, Seoul Subway Line 4. The Seoul Facilities Corporation's guide to the Myeongdong Station underground shopping center states that the underground arcade is accessed through exits 4, 5, and 6, covers 2,215 square meters, and has 70 stores. The exit leading to Myeongdong's pedestrian street is given differently depending on the source, ranging from exit 5 to exit 10, so it is worth entering the hotel's address into a map app yourself to find the nearest exit number.

Hongik University Station is a transfer station where three lines meet: Line 2 (station number 239), the Airport Railroad Express, AREX (A03), and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line (K314). Each line has its own exit layout, so a hotel description that says "Hongik University Station Exit 1" and one that says "AREX Exit 5" may point to different entrances. If only the exit number is given without the line name, it is safer to check which line that exit number refers to.

Sources: Seoul Facilities Corporation guide to the Myeongdong Station underground shopping center, summary of station numbers by line for Hongik University Station

Comparing walking distance to landmarks

Materials for the Myeongdong properties tend to lead with distance to the landmark, while materials for the Hongdae properties tend to lead with time from the exit, so it is more accurate to look at both figures side by side.

Sources: Agoda listing for L7 Myeongdong by Lotte, IHG listing for Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae

Comparing room configuration and scale

L7 Myeongdong by Lotte is a 21-story building with rooms divided into three grades: Standard, Superior, and Suite. Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong II (나인트리 바이 파르나스 서울 명동 2), near Myeongdong Station, was reported at its 2017 opening to have a total of 408 rooms.

L7 Hongdae by Lotte was introduced in opening coverage as having 240 rooms, but the current booking site lists 340 air-conditioned rooms. Since the two figures differ considerably, it is more accurate to check the room information on the current booking page again before reserving. Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae operates 294 rooms in a 10-story building.

Sources: opening coverage of Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong II, opening coverage of L7 Hongdae, Booking.com listing for L7 Hongdae

Prices only make sense for comparison once the observation date is recorded

For L7 Myeongdong by Lotte, Kayak's page lists a lowest rate of 213,463 won per night for a one-night stay from July 31 to August 1. For L7 Hongdae by Lotte, Hotelscombined's page lists a lowest rate of 175,373 won per night for a stay from August 17 to 18, with the page listed as last updated on August 10, 2026.

Whether tax and fees are included is shown differently on each page for both prices, so it is necessary to compare again using the final amount shown at checkout. Also, since these are snapshots from July and August, the figures will change if you switch to a date in November or later, so it is safer to record only the values you get by searching with your own intended check-in date.

Sources: Kayak price page for L7 Myeongdong, Hotelscombined price page for L7 Hongdae

A checklist to apply when choosing a hotel

1. Enter the hotel's address into a map app and note the nearest exit number and line separately. At Hongik University Station, exit layouts can differ by line.
2. Measure the walking distance between the hotel and the landmark you intend to visit (Myeongdong Cathedral, the front gate of Hongik University, etc.) using a map app's route function, and record it as a number.
3. Check the number of rooms, floors, and room grades listed on the booking page, and if they differ from older opening-coverage figures, follow the current booking page.
4. Search using your actual intended check-in date and record both the per-night price and the page's last-updated date.
5. Since whether tax and fees are included varies by page, compare again using the final amount shown at checkout.

Sources: Seoul Facilities Corporation guide to the Myeongdong Station underground shopping center

Sources: summary of station numbers by line for Hongik University Station

Sources: Agoda listing for L7 Myeongdong by Lotte

Sources: IHG listing for Holiday Inn Express Seoul Hongdae

Sources: opening coverage of Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong II (2017)

Sources: opening coverage of L7 Hongdae

Sources: Booking.com listing for L7 Hongdae

Sources: Kayak price page for L7 Myeongdong

Sources: Hotelscombined price page for L7 Hongdae