The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2025.
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South Korea is known as a design-forward nation, so it’s no wonder that so many of its hotels look like they belong in a glossy interior design magazine. Most hotels feature a stylish blend of modern and traditional Korean elements, and many make use of large windows to show off Seoul’s gorgeous mountainside location. The best gay-friendly luxury hotels are spread out across the city, but few are particularly close to the gay nightlife in Itaewon.
Gay visitors to Seoul are unlikely to experience any problems checking into hotels or any discrimination while visiting Seoul. Seoul is an international city with hotels and their employees used to and accepting of gay guests.
It’s worth noting, there are no anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBT+ citizens in South Korea however new anti-discrimination legislation is being discussed as of Sep 2021.
Many gay travelers who want to party choose to stay in Itaewon, the center of gay Seoul.
Seoul’s main gay party area, affectionately known as Homo Hill, is located in Itaewon. While there are other gayborhoods in the city, this is by far the most popular with tourists and foreigners. Itaewon is an unpretentious, fun part of town, so budget accommodations abound here. Lovers of good design will be delighted with some of the boutique hotels in the area, while travelers seeking a homey, laid-back vibe will love Itaewon’s many gay-friendly guesthouses.
With the subway closing around midnight and taxis, while reliable available are relatively expensive, this area offers a great level of convenience. Itaewon is also well connected with easy MRT access, a very central location, and many great options for eating both high-end and budget food.
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Why we love it
♥ Very popular with gay travelers
♥ Fun and unique rooms
♥ Gorgeous Duplex Party Suite available
♥ 5 minutes from Homo Hill
Possibly the most popular gay-friendly hotel in Seoul, Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel is located a 5-minute walk away from the gay nightlife of Homo Hill in Itaewon. The rooms feature distinctive room designs, with an all-white color scheme offset by colorful pieces of graphic wall art. Meanwhile, the more upscale suites each have their own theme and vibe – the great-looking Duplex Party Suite is great for groups. There’s a casual on-site restaurant specializing in rice and noodle dishes and a small gym.
Why we love it
♥ Close to Homo Hill
♥ Walking distance to subway station
♥ Kitchenette suites available
♥ Plenty of workspace
This unpretentious gay-friendly Seoul hotel is located a couple of minutes away from the Itaewon gayborhood and from Itaewon subway station. It offers simple, clean rooms with basic furnishings, the main exception being the Superior Suite, which comes with a stylish kitchenette and dining area. For those who need to get work done on the go, the hotel lobby has extensive workspaces and business services available.
Why we love it
♥ Cool industrial-theme hotel
♥ Range of room and dorm options
♥ Free breakfast
♥ Close to gay nightlife
This cool gay-friendly hotel in Itaewon has a gritty industrial style, but that doesn’t get in the way of comfort. There are both dorms and private rooms available, all featuring a kitchenette, private bathroom, Korean Ondol underfloor heating, and comfy beds. A simple but tasty breakfast is included in your rate. There are plenty of friendly areas to socialise, including a rooftop, and the gay nightife in Itaewon is less than a 5-minute walk away.
Why we love it
♥ Stunning modern rooms with relaxing Korean style
♥ Closest luxury hotel to Homo Hill Itaewon
♥ Cool facilities like an ice skating rink
♥ Huge windows with incredible views
Grand Hyatt Seoul offers incredibly stylish accommodation in Itaewon, just 10 minutes on public transport from the tourist-friendly gay area of Homo Hill. The gay-friendly hotel boasts awesome features, including an outdoor swimming pool, an ice skating rink, and a shopping arcade, not to mention a dozen high-end bars and a state-of-the-art spa. Rooms are decorated in an elegant blend of contemporary aesthetics with traditional Korean style, and all have huge floor-to-ceiling windows that show off Seoul’s incredible skyline.
Why we love it
♥ Spacious and practical rooms
♥ Traditional ondol suites available
♥ Kitchenette suites available
♥ Great breakfast
A sleek and stylish hotel in Seoul’s financial district of Yeouido, Glad Hotel incorporates a minimalist and efficient approach to design. Rooms are in a monochrome palette and feature practical layouts. We recommend the Glad House for longer stays, as it comes with a kitchenette and dining area, and the Heritage Ondol room with traditional Korean design is a gem. Plus, there’s a cool and cozy restaurant-cafe that serves an excellent breakfast buffet in the mornings.
Why we love it
♥ Classic old-school vibe
♥ Spacious comfortable rooms + rooftop garden
♥ Korean buffet to help you explore the national cuisine
♥ Most booked luxury gay hotel Seoul
This hotel has a more old-school feel than many others in Seoul, with its classic wooden furnishings and cream-colored walls, but high maintenance standards keep it from feeling dated. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with everything you need for a good stay. There is a tasty Korean buffet with a range of national dishes, as well as an Italian restaurant and a cafe. One of the highlights of Sejong Hotel is its Sky Garden, a lovely green space on the rooftop for when you want to get away from the bustling city.
Why we love it
♥ Indoor pools in most rooms
♥ Beautifully designed rooms with panoramic windows
♥ Namsan mountain views
♥ Fantastic wellness fitness and facilities
One of the most luxurious hotels in Seoul, Banyan Tree Club offers a range of gorgeous contemporary rooms and suites. Most of them feature panoramic views of the city and Namsan mountain, as well as private indoor plunge pools. The luxury spa offers a range of holistic treatments and state-of-the-art facilities, and you will also find an outdoor pool, a gym, an ice rink, a golf driving range, and tennis courts on-site. As can be expected, the gay-friendly hotel also features a selection of excellent bars and restaurants, with European and Korean options available.
Why we love it
♥ Fantastic fitness and leisure facilities
♥ Delicious restaurants and breakfast
♥ Traditional Korean suites available
♥ Central Seoul location
The Shilla is a sleek and contemporary 5-star hotel, located in the central Seoul area of Jung-Gu. Rooms feature warm, plush interiors. There are a number of beautiful and unique suites available, such as the Korean suite, with traditional Korean design. The on-site restaurants are all extremely highly-rated, with the breakfast buffet being a guest favorite. The hotel also boasts two large pools (one indoor and one outdoor), a gym, a spa, an indoor golf range, a jogging track, a shopping arcade, and a sculpture garden.
Why we love it
♥ Cool colorful design
♥ Awesome suites with private terrace available
♥ Relaxing foot spa with a view
♥ Handy location for public transport
This cool hotel is located a couple of steps from Myeongdong Subway Station. It features a fun design aesthetic which blends minimalist, Korean-style furnishings with bright yellow accents. Book one of the artsy suites for added space and comfort and, in the case of the Loasis Suite, a chilled-out private garden terrace. L7 Myeongdong boasts a laid-back rooftop bar as well as a champagne lounge-slash-cafe and a healthy European restaurant. Another nifty addition is the foot spa, which gives guests the opportunity to unwind in front of a panoramic view of Namsan mountain.
Why we love it
♥ Top-notch facilities in every room
♥ Warm and inviting luxury decor
♥ Picturesque riverside location
♥ Exceptional fitness facilities
This multi-awarded hotel sits by the Han river on Yeouido Island, Seoul’s main finance and business district. Despite this, the hotel feels anything but corporate and impersonal, with warm and luxe decor and ultra-comfortable rooms and suites. Every one of these comes with a heavenly bed, a Nespresso machine, a deep free-standing tub, and a relaxing rain shower. There are excellent fitness facilities. including a 25m pool, a large gym, golf driving ranges (including a virtual “screen golf” area), classes, and a sauna.
Why we love it
♥ Part of the innovative Seoul Dragon City complex
♥ State-of-the-art fitness and leisure facilities
♥ 6-person luxury suites available
♥ Massive rooms
This hotel is part of Seoul Dragon City, a complex made up of four Accor hotels that together add up to over 1700 rooms. Grand Mercure Ambassador is the most upscale option in the complex, featuring state-of-the-art facilities and huge, modern rooms. The swanky Premier Suite sleeps up to 6, making it a perfect choice for a group of friends in town to party. The hotel boasts a stylish French restaurant, a large pool, an excellent gym, a spa, a yoga studio, and an indoor golf range.
Why we love it
♥ Designer interiors
♥ Cool fitness and wellness area
♥ Balcony rooms available
♥ Excellent breakfast buffet
Located in fashionable Gangnam, this hotel’s striking interiors are the work of a design studio that took inspiration from traditional Korean textile art. The result is playful, colorful, and understated, with practical layouts and modern lines. Every room has a big, plush bed, large windows, and a heavenly rain shower – book a balcony room to make the most of the city views. The fitness and wellness facilities are equally stylish, including an indoor pool, a spa, and a gym. The open-concept dining areas are lovely, and the buffet breakfast is sensational.
Why we love it
♥ Incredible fitness facilities
♥ Handy location for public transport
♥ Luxe rooms with top-notch amenities
♥ River or city views from every room
This Gangnam gay-friendly hotel is located above Seoul Bus Terminal and its corresponding subway station, making it easy to get around the city on public transport. The rooms are elegant, with understated neutral decor and luxurious materials like leather and marble. Every room has a marble bathtub and large windows with either city or river views. Fitness buffs will love the state-of-the-art facilities, which include a full-sized indoor pool, a wide range of equipment, complimentary classes, and even a body analyzing system.
Why we love it
♥ Trendy minimalist-industrial design
♥ Great range of room types
♥ Supports ethical and sustainable travel
♥ Cool restaurant and bar
Hotel Cappuccino is a trendy boutique-style hotel located in the heart of Gangnam. It features sleek industrial design throughout, with a range of rooms to suit every budget and group. The dorm-style quadruple with bunks is great for friends, while the large minimalist studios are perfect for a longer stay – there’s even a room category for dog owners. Meanwhile, the hotel’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility makes it a great choice for ethical travelers. Facilities include a gym, a top-notch Asian restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a cafe. It’s one of Gangam’s most popular luxury gay hotels in Seoul.
Why we love it
♥ Incredible pool party suites available
♥ Arty design hotel
♥ Big windows in every room
♥ Cozy and stylish rooms
This stylish 4-star design hotel features modern, minimalist decor in a monochrome color palette. Every room has cozy furnishings, a workspace, and big floor-to-ceiling windows with city views. That said, it’s the pool suites – each with an indoor plunge pool, massive 3 or 4-person bed, and party-ready Bang & Olufsen speaker systems – that really stand out here. Book one of these for the ultimate Seoul party experience, and bring the nightlife of Gangnam straight to your room. Plus, hotel facilities include an in-house art gallery, a swanky bar-restaurant, and a gym.
The Ultimate Gay Travel Guide
The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2025.
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