Review of Hotel Baroato 2nd Hongdae | Cheap Hotels in Seoul
Hotel Baroato 2nd was my second hotel I stayed in for my first trip to Seoul, South Korea.
In total I stayed at three hotels in Seoul during my first trip to experience different areas, then tried different hotels for my multiple Seoul trips after.
Hongdae is a popular youth indie-music area in Seoul. I knew I wanted to stay there at least once during my trip. I also wanted to find a cheap hotel in Seoul.
My other options were Airbnbs, but I ended up choosing Hotel Baroato 2nd.
Keep reading for my review of Hotel Baroato 2nd. If you’re new to South Korea, read my travel guide to South Korea.
Hotel Baroato 2nd Review
Hotel Baroato 2nd was a nice stay located in a safe and quiet area in Hongdae, and within walking distance to popular Hongdae Shopping Street. If you want to save money but stay at a clean and quiet hotel in Hongdae, I recommend Hotel Baroato 2nd!
Where is Hotel Baroato 2nd Located?
Name in Korean: 호텔 나포레
Address: 26-14 Donggyo-ro 25-gil, Mapo-gu, Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea, 03993
Hotel Baroato 2nd is located in the Hongdae neighborhood in the Mapo district of Seoul.
NOTE that they operate another Hotel Baroato in Hongdae (without the “2nd” in the name. It’s a nice hotel, but more expensive).
The other location is closer to a main street. This location is more residential, but still located within walking distance of the main Hongdae area. The prices are also cheaper.
How Much is a Room at Hotel Baroato 2nd?
I stayed at Hotel Baroato 2nd in July 2022 for 4 nights and booked the Single Room. The total including tax was $148 USD, which came to $37 USD a night, and included a 20% discount on Agoda.com.
I booked the basic single room, but the manager upgraded me to a larger single room when I arrived. It had a larger bed and small sofa.
They offer singles, doubles, triples, and family rooms. Most rooms have a bunk or upper bed like the single room did.
My Review of Hotel Baroato 2nd
Pros:
- The location is in a quiet and safe area.
- It’s walkable to the main Hongdae area.
- The hotel has a dormitory feel.
Cons:
- This is common in Seoul, but the shower is not in a separated area from the toilet. It’s located right next to the sink, so it’s a bit inconvenient if you’re not used to it. They do offer bathroom slippers though.
- There is no elevator. If you’re located on a top floor like I was, you’ll need to carry your luggage up the stairs.
What Time is Check In and Check Out?
Check-in time is at 2pm. Check-out time is at 11am. You can request early or late check in/out, though a fee may apply.
Checking in and out is generally contactless.
Important Things to Note:
They will message you beforehand asking for your arrival time. Make sure to reply! I hadn’t and when I got there, there was no one to ask as there wasn’t a check-in counter. I messaged them on the KakaoTalk app on the number provided on a paper posted to a front door. They sent me the check-in code for the front entrance and room door, along with instructions.
They may arrange to meet with you to check in, otherwise they will send you a code for the entrance and room.
When you check out, you just send them a message to let them know you left.
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What Amenities Does Hotel Baroato 2nd Offer?
- Most rooms come with a desk space and refrigerator.
- Laundry service is available by request for 3,000 won ($2.30 USD). You send them a message requesting laundry, then leave the laundry in a basket on the first floor. The turnaround time is usually the same day or next day. The dryers are not strong though, so the clothes returned were a bit damp. They have drying racks in the hallway that you can take to your room.
- Outside front patio with seating.
- Small communal room with a large table and seats.
Can you Leave your Luggage?
Whether you arrive too early and the room isn’t ready, or if you have time to kill before your flight and don’t want to carry around luggage, you can leave your luggage with them.
While no one would steal your belongings and people need a code to enter the building, do note that they place the luggage near the entrance with no one looking after them.
Nearby Attractions
- The closest train station is Hongik University Station and is just 280m or .2 miles, and a 5-minute walk away from exit 1.
- The main Hongdae Street and Shopping Street with restaurants and shops are both around a 5 to 10-minute walk away depending on where you want to go.
Getting to Hotel Baroato 2nd
There are a few options if you’re coming from the Incheon International Airport:
By Train
At the airport, take the AREX train towards Seoul Station, which will take around 50 minutes. Get off at Hongik University Station. The hotel is a 5-minute walk away from exit 1.
Download the CityMapper app for walking directions. Google Maps doesn’t provide real-time walking directions.
Taxi
A taxi from the airport will take up to an hour, and it will cost around 50,000 won, or $38 USD. The hotel is not located on a main street. They’ll have to enter a small alley street.
You can also book an airport transfer for convenience.
By Bus
For a cheaper option, you can take the Airport Bus #6002. It stops at Hongik University station. You can download the route to use offline on the CityMapper app.
The bus takes a little over an hour, and costs 16,000 won, or $12.30 USD. You can buy a ticket from a ticket counter or ticket machine. They accept credit cards. If you have luggage, you can leave the luggage in the bus storage.
Final Thoughts
For its location and price, Hotel Baroato 2nd is a pretty good choice. I loved the layout of the room, and enjoyed staying on a bunk bed.
While not the largest hotel stay, it was really comfy and located in a quiet and walkable neighborhood.
📲 Ready to book? Check Prices and Availability on Agoda
Other Hotels in Seoul
Here’s my reviews of other hotels in Seoul I’ve stayed in (more to come):
Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall Review (Central Seoul)
Hotel Nafore Review (Central Seoul)
Still undecided? Read next: Where to Stay in Seoul Based on Your Interests
Book Before Your Trip:
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🚊 Ride from the airport: prebook a transfer | airport bus | AREX train
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