Urban Hotel & Play: 4 Nights in Sinchon, Seoul Review

Hi everyone! Today we're touring Urban Hotel & Play, the hotel we stayed at in Seoul's Sinchon area, and in my opinion one of the best value-for-money hotels in Korea.

In short: We paid about 10,000 Turkish lira in total for 4 nights (roughly €180 / US$205 at September 2026 rates). The rooms are spotless, there are free water and drinks in the lobby, and there's even a gaming room with 5 PCs. It's about a 5-minute walk to Sinchon subway station and very close to Hongdae.

Hotel Details

• Hotel: Urban HOTEL&PLAY
• Area: Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
• Address: 50, Yonsei-ro 2-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
• Our stay: 4 nights
• What we paid: About 10,000 TRY in total (~2,500 TRY a night)
• Nearest subway: Sinchon Station, ~5-minute walk
• Location: Open in Google Maps

The hotel opened in 2024 and is a boutique hotel with 35 rooms, so everything feels new and well maintained.

First Impression: Low Expectations, Pleasant Surprise

Honestly, we didn't expect much when we arrived. Most hotels in this price range in Seoul are small and ordinary. But when we saw the room, we were genuinely surprised.

Rooms and Cleanliness

The rooms were very clean. Overall, we were really happy with:

• Bathroom: Clean and well kept.
• Bed: Comfortable; we slept well after walking around Seoul all day.
• Toiletries: The bath and care products were good quality, so you don't need to bring your own.

The hotel has several room types. Besides the standard rooms, there are larger suites with a movie and spa concept. You can choose based on your budget and how many people are staying.

Free Water and Drinks on the Ground Floor

On the ground floor there's a corner with water and drinks. During our stay we could grab them whenever we wanted. When you're out walking all day, you don't need to stop at a convenience store for water; a small but really nice touch.

The Most Unusual Part: The Gaming Room

The "Play" in the hotel's name is there for a reason. For me, this is the most unusual part of the hotel:

• There's a private room with 5 computers, set up specifically for gaming.
• If you come with a group of friends, you can book the room and play together.

Given Korea's PC bang (internet café) culture, having a room like this in a hotel makes a lot of sense. If you're a group of gamers, it's a fun way to spend an evening without going out. Ask at reception about the conditions and price for using it.

Prices: They Vary a Lot by Date

Room prices change a lot depending on the date:

• During promotions, a night can drop to around 100,000–110,000 won.
• On some dates (weekends, holidays and so on) prices can go higher.
• We paid about 10,000 TRY for 4 nights in total, so we caught a good period.

So before booking, enter your own dates and compare prices across booking sites.

Location: Between Sinchon and Hongdae

The location is very good:

• Sinchon Station (Seoul Subway Line 2): about a 5-minute walk.
• Hongdae: Very close, one stop away on Line 2 or a short walk. It's one of Seoul's liveliest areas, with nightlife, street performances and cafés.
• Sinchon area: Close to Yonsei and Ewha universities, young and lively. Restaurants, cafés and convenience stores are everywhere, and prices are more reasonable than in the most touristy districts.
• Thanks to Line 2, you can reach many parts of Seoul directly or with a single transfer.

Coming from the airport? Take the AREX all-stop train to Hongik University (Hongdae) Station and change to Line 2. Details are in our Incheon Airport to Seoul transport guide.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Excellent value for Seoul
• New, clean and well-kept rooms
• Good-quality bath and care products
• Free water and drinks in the lobby
• 5-PC gaming room for groups of friends
• 5 minutes from Sinchon Station, close to Hongdae

Things to keep in mind:

• Prices vary a lot by date and can be higher outside promotions.
• The gaming room is booked separately; ask about the conditions in advance.

Who Is It For?

• Travelers looking for a budget-friendly but quality hotel in Seoul
• Anyone who wants to stay around Hongdae and Sinchon
• Groups of friends who love gaming
• People who want a central location near the subway

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Urban Hotel & Play?

Urban Hotel & Play is in the Sinchon area of Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, at 50, Yonsei-ro 2-gil. It's about a 5-minute walk from Sinchon subway station and very close to Hongdae.

How much does Urban Hotel & Play cost per night?

Prices vary by date. During promotions a night can cost around 100,000–110,000 won. We paid about 10,000 Turkish lira in total for 4 nights.

Does Urban Hotel & Play have a gaming room?

Yes. The hotel has a private room with 5 computers set up for gaming. Groups of friends can book the room and play together.

Is Sinchon a good area to stay in Seoul?

Yes. Sinchon is on Subway Line 2, very close to Hongdae, and as a university area it has plenty of restaurants, cafés and convenience stores. Prices are also more reasonable than in the most touristy districts.

What is a good value hotel in Seoul?

In our experience, Urban Hotel & Play in Sinchon is a great value option in Seoul, thanks to its cleanliness, free drinks, gaming room and location near the subway.

Conclusion

Urban Hotel & Play, where we paid about 10,000 TRY for 4 nights, is a hotel we were genuinely happy with for the price by Seoul standards. With clean rooms, free drinks, a gaming room and a great location, it's worth adding to your list if you're looking for a place to stay in Seoul.

Curious how much we spent on accommodation in Thailand? Check out our 13 days in Thailand cost breakdown.

Stay tuned for more about Korea, and drop your questions in the comments!