Shilla Stay Mapo stands on Mapo-daero in Gongdeok, one stop down the AREX line from Hongdae. The hotel's directions put the entrance a 3-minute walk from the station's Exit 1.
Agoda labels it "Shilla Stay Mapo Hongdae," which can make it sound like a Hongdae main-street hotel. It is not, and the real trade-off is Seoul-wide transit against walking out into Hongdae at night.
Check Shilla Stay Mapo availabilityHotel at a glance
Shilla Stay Mapo
83 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul · Gongdeok Station (Line 5, Line 6, AREX, Gyeongui-Jungang), Exit 1, about a 3-minute walk per the hotel
- About a 3-minute walk from Gongdeok Station Exit 1, which serves Lines 5 and 6, AREX and the Gyeongui-Jungang line, per the hotel
- Five room categories, from a 21.7 m² Standard to a 50 m² Grand with a separate living room, per the hotel
- A Standard Family Twin that lists up to 3 guests, or 4 with a child, per the hotel
- Check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00, and free Wi-Fi and gym access for guests, per the hotel
Opens Agoda in a new tab. Rates, taxes, and availability are shown there, change by date, and are not checked by TripKopia.
Quick verdict
The hotel is a practical, transit-first base that is worth comparing for subway-focused trips and a good candidate for a 3 to 5 night stay. It works best if you plan to move around Seoul daily and treat Hongdae as a short ride, not a doorstep.
It is a weaker fit if you want to step out into Hongdae's nightlife on foot. The Hongdae comparison below covers that case.
| Hotel | Shilla Stay Mapo (신라스테이 마포), part of the Shilla Stay brand |
| Address | 83 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul |
| Closest station | Gongdeok Station (Lines 5 and 6, AREX, Gyeongui-Jungang), Exit 1, a 3-minute walk per the hotel |
| Rooms | 382 rooms in five categories, from 21.7 m² to 50 m², per the hotel |
| Check-in / check-out | 15:00 / 12:00, per the hotel |
| Best for | Subway-focused trips, friends sharing a twin, small families, business travelers |
| Less suited to | Travelers who want Hongdae's streets and nightlife at the front door |
The Shilla Stay brand is separate from The Shilla Seoul, the luxury hotel in Jung-gu. Other Shilla Stay branches are also separate properties, so check the address before you book.
Is Shilla Stay Mapo good value?
Value here comes from features and location, not from a rate I can quote. Prices change by date and rate plan, so this section lists what to weigh and leaves the price to the Agoda page.
What the hotel supplies on its own pages:
- A station 3 minutes on foot away, on a four-line interchange.
- A 21.7 m² base room in four of the five categories, with a refrigerator, a safe, a 40-inch TV and free Wi-Fi.
- Free tea, coffee and water in the room, plus free use of the gym and the Business Corner.
What to compare against it:
- Whether your rate includes breakfast, and what the add-on costs.
- Parking, which is charged per night if you drive.
- The total payable amount with taxes and fees, and the cancellation terms.
The gap between this hotel and a Hongdae hotel is mostly walkability to nightlife, not room quality. If you will spend evenings elsewhere in Seoul, that gap may not cost you much.
Rooms: five categories compared
The hotel lists five categories on its room pages, all with one bedroom and one bathroom. Four share the same 21.7 m² footprint and differ by floor and bed type.
| Room Type | Approximate Area | Bed Options | Who It May Suit | What To Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 21.7 m², floors 3 to 16 | Double, Twin or Hollywood Double | Solo travelers, couples, two friends | Which bed type your rate shows |
| Standard Family Twin | 21.7 m², floors 3 to 16 | Family Twin | Three guests, or a small family | The bed layout; the hotel lists up to 3 guests, or 4 with a child |
| Deluxe | 21.7 m², floors 17 to 26 | Double or Twin | Travelers who want a higher floor | Whether your rate specifies the floor |
| Premier Deluxe | 21.7 m², floor 19 | Double | Couples who want the complimentary minibar the hotel highlights | What the complimentary minibar covers |
| Grand | 50 m², floors 23 to 26 | Double | Couples or a pair who want a separate living room | The price gap against a Deluxe |
Agoda's room names do not always match these. The Agoda page uses labels such as Standard Twin, Standard Hollywood and Grand Deluxe Double, and it lists package-style rooms too. Match the bed type, floor and guest count on your rate to the table, and ask the hotel if a label is unclear.
Occupancy limits include a child in the hotel's wording, for example "3 with a child" in a Standard room. Do not read that as three adults.
Know which bed type fits your group?
Shilla Stay Mapo, Gongdeok, Mapo-gu, Seoul (west of Seoul Station, east of Hongdae)
Rates and availability are shown on Agoda.
Facilities and breakfast
The restaurant cafe is on the 2nd floor and seats 114, per the hotel. Breakfast hours are 06:30 to 09:30 on weekdays and 07:00 to 10:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Breakfast is not automatically included in every Agoda rate. Check whether your rate includes it, and compare the add-on price on the hotel's dining page if it does not.
The gym is on the 26th floor, open 06:00 to 23:00, for guests aged 16 and over. The Business Corner on the 1st floor is open 24 hours with two computers and a printer, and a meeting room sits on the basement level.
Single-use amenities are not provided free, per the hotel, so bring your own or ask what is sold. Muslim travelers, vegetarians and guests with allergies should ask the hotel directly. The pages checked describe no halal certification, vegetarian menu or allergen handling.
If you drive, parking is charged per night with one vehicle per room, and the hotel says outside lots are used when its own is full. Check the current fee on the hotel's Getting Here page. Agoda describes the on-site parking as limited.
Getting there from Incheon and Gimpo airports
Airport access is a real strength here, but the train you pick matters.
From Incheon Airport by train. The AREX All-Stop train calls at Gongdeok, so there is no change on that line, and the hotel directs you to Exit 1. The AREX Express is described by the operator as non-stop between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station, so it does not call at Gongdeok.
If you take the Express, ride to Seoul Station and continue on a train or subway route that calls at Gongdeok. A route app shows the current options. The airport to Jongno guide compares the train, bus and taxi in more detail.
From Incheon Airport by bus. The hotel lists airport limousine buses 6015, 6701 and 6702 to the Gongdeok Station (Central) stop. The operator pages name the stops for the same buses after a neighboring Lotte hotel, which is a different property from this one and from LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong.
Check the current fare, timetable and last service on each operator's page before you rely on a bus.
From Gimpo Airport. The hotel gives a direct Line 5 route from Gimpo International Airport Station to Gongdeok, using Exit 1. Taxis are possible from both airports, and the hotel lists approximate times that change with traffic.
A rechargeable card makes the subway and buses easier, and the airport guide explains how to get one.
What's around Gongdeok Station?
Gongdeok sits in Mapo-gu, between Seoul Station and Hongdae on the AREX line. The hotel's own list of nearby stations also includes Mapo Station on Line 5, an 8-minute walk to its Exit 2.
The station's four lines are the point of the location. Line 5 and Line 6 cross the city, AREX links the airports and Seoul Station, and the Gyeongui-Jungang line adds a further rail route.
| Area | How it connects | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Hongdae | Hongik University Station is the next AREX stop toward the airport | A short ride, not a walk; check a route app at night |
| Seoul Station | AREX connects the two | Useful for KTX and the Express |
| Yeouido | Line 5 serves the district | A direct line, though I did not verify a travel time |
| Myeongdong | A transfer is needed from Gongdeok | Check a route app for the best option |
I did not verify walking distances to shops or restaurants right around the hotel, so check a map if late-night food matters to you.
Gongdeok vs Hongdae: the trade-off
Staying in Hongdae puts cafes, shops and nightlife at the door. Staying at Gongdeok trades that for a calmer street and a four-line station at the end of a 3-minute walk.
| Shilla Stay Mapo (Gongdeok) | Hongdae hotels | |
|---|---|---|
| Nightlife on foot | Not at the door | Yes |
| Subway choices | Lines 5, 6, AREX, Gyeongui-Jungang | Line 2, AREX, Gyeongui-Jungang |
| Airport train | AREX All-Stop, no change | AREX All-Stop, no change |
| Walk to the station | 3 minutes per the hotel | Varies by hotel |
The Hongdae area guide covers what the neighborhood is like to stay in.
How it compares with four other Seoul guides
These are not rankings. Each hotel suits a different trip, and the table compares what each one offers.
| Hotel | Area | Closest station | Different from Shilla Stay Mapo |
|---|---|---|---|
| L7 Hongdae | Hongdae | Hongik University Station | In the middle of Hongdae |
| Holiday Inn Express Hongdae | Hongdae | Hongik University Station, Exit 5 | In Hongdae, with its own rate and breakfast terms |
| LOTTE City Myeongdong | Euljiro and Myeongdong | Euljiro 3-ga Station | Central Seoul, a different transit hub |
| Nine Tree Myeongdong II | Euljiro and Myeongdong edge | Euljiro 3-ga Station, Exit 11 | Central Seoul, a different transit hub |
The Hongdae pair puts you on the neighborhood's streets, and the Myeongdong pair puts you in the center. Shilla Stay Mapo sits between them, on a station with more lines. For a wider sort by trip type, see the Seoul hotel comparison.
Who should stay here
Subway-first travelers. A four-line station 3 minutes away makes day trips across Seoul straightforward.
Friends sharing a twin. A Standard or Deluxe Twin gives two single beds in a 21.7 m² room.
Small families. The Standard Family Twin lists up to 3 guests, or 4 with a child.
Business travelers. The Business Corner and meeting room are on site.
Who may prefer another hotel
Nightlife-focused travelers. Hongdae's streets are not at the door, so a Hongdae hotel may suit you better.
Light packers who want free toiletries. Single-use amenities are not provided free.
Drivers. Agoda describes the on-site parking as limited, and the hotel names outside lots as the fallback.
Guests who need a confirmed breakfast. Breakfast depends on your rate.
What to check before booking
Bed type and floor. Match the Agoda rate to the table above.
Guest numbers and ages. The hotel's limits count children separately from adults.
Breakfast. Check whether your rate includes it, and the hours.
Check-in and check-out. The hotel lists 15:00 and 12:00. Ask about luggage storage if you arrive early.
Cancellation terms and total price. Compare the final payable amount, not a nightly headline.
Station exit. Use Gongdeok Exit 1, not another exit.
Ready to compare dates and rates?
Shilla Stay Mapo, Gongdeok, Mapo-gu, Seoul (west of Seoul Station, east of Hongdae)
Rates and availability are shown on Agoda.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shilla Stay Mapo in Hongdae?
No. It is in Gongdeok, in Mapo-gu, and Agoda lists it as Shilla Stay Mapo Hongdae. Hongik University Station, the Hongdae station, is the next AREX stop.
Which station is closest?
Gongdeok Station is closest, a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 per the hotel. Mapo Station on Line 5 is an 8-minute walk from its Exit 2.
Is there a direct AREX train from Incheon Airport?
Yes, on the All-Stop train, which calls at Gongdeok. The hotel directs you to Exit 1.
Does the AREX Express stop at Gongdeok?
The operator describes the Express as non-stop between Incheon Airport and Seoul Station, so it does not. Ride to Seoul Station and continue from there.
Is it a good hotel for first-time visitors?
It suits first-timers who plan to use the subway daily. It is a weaker fit if you want Hongdae's nightlife on foot.
Is breakfast included?
Not automatically. Check your Agoda rate, and see the hotel's dining page for hours.
What is the best room for two friends?
A Standard or Deluxe Twin gives two beds in 21.7 m². Check that your rate shows the Twin bed type, not a Double.
Can three people stay in a Family Twin?
The hotel lists up to 3 guests, or 4 with a child, in a Standard Family Twin. Confirm the bed layout on your rate.
Is it better than staying in Hongdae?
It depends on the trip. Gongdeok suits transit, and Hongdae suits walking to nightlife.
Sources
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): hotel introduction, address, opening date, room countofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): getting here, subway, bus, airport and parkingofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): rooms overviewofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Standard roomofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Standard Family Twin roomofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Deluxe roomofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Premier Deluxe roomofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Grand roomofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Restaurant cafe hours and buffetofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Gym hours and age limitofficial_service_site
- Shilla Stay Mapo (official): Business Cornerofficial_service_site
- Airport Railroad: all-stop (general) train guideOfficial transport site
- Airport Railroad: AREX Express (direct) train guideOfficial transport site
- Airport Limousine (Korean operator): bus 6015 route and stopsOfficial transport site
- K-Limousine: bus 6701 route and stopsOfficial transport site
- K-Limousine: bus 6702 route and stopsOfficial transport site
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Open DataOfficial government site
Information is compiled from official sources. Details such as prices, hours, and schedules can change. Confirm time-sensitive facts before you travel.
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