For the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon, the most practical base for most runners is a hotel on the west side of Seoul, around Mapo or Hongdae. That keeps you on the same side of the city as Sangam World Cup Park. Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo and GLAD MAPO are our first picks for runners who want an easy race morning, while Dormy Inn SEOUL Gangnam suits supporters and groups who would rather be on the Olympic Park side.

Who this list is for

This guide is for runners entered in the full marathon or the 10K, plus the friends and family travelling with them. It assumes you want a reliable mid-range or upper-mid-range hotel with breakfast, strong reviews and simple transit links, not a resort stay. If you are in Seoul that weekend for other reasons, the list still works, but expect busier hotels and busier streets near the course.

How we picked

We used Agoda partner search data looked up on October 11, 2026, for a two-night stay for two adults starting on race day. From the results, we looked for:

  • high review scores backed by large review counts
  • breakfast included in the listed offer
  • free Wi-Fi
  • a location that suits one end of the course or central Seoul

Rates change all the time, so the table on this page shows live figures. This article covers fit, not cost.

Why Seoul rooms sell out on marathon weekend

The JTBC Seoul Marathon has a full marathon and a 10K through central Seoul, and it draws many domestic and overseas runners. That puts demand on the same few nights. Much of it comes from people who need a room near the course, an early breakfast or a late checkout. Well-reviewed hotels on the west side and in Gangnam are obvious choices for both ends of the route, so they can fill early. Overseas entrants often book as soon as they register, so rooms can get scarce well before race week.

The schedule is not final. Treat the race date shown on this page as a working date, and check the official JTBC Seoul Marathon announcement before you book anything non-refundable.

Where to stay: match the area to the course

The course runs from Sangam World Cup Park to Olympic Park, Seoul, across the city from west to east. That gives you three sensible options:

  • West side (Mapo, Hongdae): the Sangam World Cup Park side of the city. Best for runners who want to stay close to that end of the course on race morning.
  • Gangnam: the south-east side of the city, toward Olympic Park. Good for supporters waiting at the Olympic Park end and for anyone who wants to be on that side of Seoul.
  • Central Seoul (Jongno, Jung-gu): a compromise. You are not next to either end, but you have the widest choice of transit and food, which helps if your group has mixed plans.

Wherever you stay, check the official course map and race-day traffic notices. Roads near the route may be restricted, so plan to use the subway instead of taxis.

Hotel notes

Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo

It had the top review score in this set at lookup time, 9.0 from 30,848 reviews. It sits 3.8 km from the city centre on the west side. Breakfast was included in the listed offer, and the hotel sat at the more affordable end of our shortlist.

Good for: runners and couples who want a dependable, simple base on the Sangam side of the city.

Caveat: It was listed as a 3-star hotel at lookup time, so expect functional rooms rather than extra facilities.

GLAD MAPO

This hotel was rated 4 stars with a 9.0 review score from 20,901 reviews at lookup time. It opened in 2018, sits on Mapo-daero 3.6 km from the city centre, and lists express check-in and check-out, luggage storage and concierge service. All three are useful on race weekend.

Good for: runners who want a slightly more polished stay on the west side, and anyone who needs to drop bags before check-in.

Caveat: It sat at the higher end of this shortlist when we looked, so compare it with Roynet before deciding.

L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS

This Hongdae hotel was rated 4 stars with an 8.9 score from 18,450 reviews at lookup time. It is on Yanghwa-ro, 5.7 km from the city centre. It lists airport transportation booking, express check-in and check-out, and a laundromat, which is handy for washing race kit.

Good for: overseas runners arriving by air, and groups who want a lively neighbourhood for the evening after the race.

Caveat: If you need an early night before the race, ask for a quieter room when you book.

Dormy Inn SEOUL Gangnam

This 3-star, 220-room hotel on Bongeunsa-ro was rated 9.0 from 22,971 reviews at lookup time. It opened in 2016 and sat at the most affordable end of our shortlist. It lists an on-site laundromat, luggage storage, and a ticket and tour service.

Good for: supporters heading to the Olympic Park end, and runners who want Gangnam for dining and shopping after the race.

Caveat: It is 7.0 km from the city centre and checkout is at 11:00 AM. Ask for a late checkout if you want a slow morning after the race.

Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Insadong

This hotel was rated 4 stars with an 8.9 score from 22,642 reviews at lookup time. It is on Insadong-gil, 1.8 km from the city centre. It opened in 2019 with 301 rooms, offers concierge, luggage storage and laundry services, and has a 12:00 PM checkout.

Good for: groups where some people run and others want to sightsee in central Seoul.

Caveat: It is not close to either end of the course, so allow extra subway time on race morning.

Koreana Hotel

This hotel on Sejong-daero, 1.4 km from the city centre, was rated 4 stars with an 8.7 score from 20,161 reviews at lookup time. It first opened in 1972 and lists a 2026 renovation, along with room service, concierge and laundry services.

Good for: travellers who want a classic central address and room service after a long day on the course.

Caveat: Its review score was the lowest of our six picks at lookup time, though still solid, so read recent reviews for the room category you book.

How to choose

  • Simplest race morning: start with Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo or GLAD MAPO.
  • Flying in and want help with airport transfers: look at L7 HONGDAE by LOTTE HOTELS.
  • Supporters waiting near Olympic Park: Dormy Inn SEOUL Gangnam is the natural base.
  • Sightseeing matters as much as the race: choose Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Insadong or Koreana Hotel.
  • Budget comes first: check the live table. In our lookup, Dormy Inn SEOUL Gangnam and Roynet Hotel Seoul Mapo sat at the more affordable end of this set.

When to book

Book as soon as your race entry is confirmed. The stay falls on one popular race day, so well-reviewed rooms near the course can go quickly. Lock in a free-cancellation rate early, then watch the official announcement. If the schedule moves, you can change or cancel without penalty. Our search started on race day, but many runners prefer to arrive the night before. If you do, add the pre-race night to your dates.

Booking checklist for marathon weekend

  • Free cancellation: Choose a refundable rate until the official schedule is confirmed, and note the exact cancellation deadline.
  • Taxes and fees: Check whether the total shown includes taxes and service charges before you pay.
  • Room type: Confirm the bed type and room size. Two runners sharing may prefer a twin room.
  • Breakfast timing: Breakfast was included in the offers we saw, but ask whether it opens early enough for race morning.
  • Luggage storage and check-in: The hotels that list their times show check-in from 3:00 PM, so confirm luggage storage if you arrive on race day.
  • Late checkout: Ask in advance if you want time to rest and shower after the race.
  • Laundry: Several of these hotels list a laundromat or laundry service, which helps with sweaty race kit.
  • Transit plan: Plan your subway route to and from the course around race-day traffic restrictions.