L7 Myeongdong by Lotte

L7 is the lifestyle brand of Lotte Hotels, aimed at travellers who want a stylish, sociable stay at a lower price than the group's luxury hotels. The Myeongdong branch is a 21-storey building on Toegye-ro, on the southern edge of the Myeongdong shopping district, and it is one of the most convenient mid-range bases in central Seoul for shopping, street food and Namsan.

Rooms are compact, modern and practical, with a bright design and the essentials most city travellers need. The real draw is Floating, the bar that occupies the whole top floor. It has indoor and outdoor areas, with views towards N Seoul Tower, Myeongdong Cathedral and the Cheonggyecheon area, and an outdoor footbath, an unusual touch that makes it a popular spot on cool evenings. Drinks include wine, champagne, craft beer and cocktails, and the bar opens daily from 17:00 to 01:30.

The hotel suits couples, friends travelling together, solo visitors and shoppers who want to drop their bags between trips to the stores. Families may find standard rooms tight, so check room sizes when booking. Being next to Myeongdong means the area is lively from morning until late, with cosmetics shops, restaurants and evening street-food stalls, but rooms are above street level and quieter than the streets below.

Rates are mid-range for central Seoul, with the best value on weekdays and outside holiday periods, when Myeongdong fills with visitors. Consider booking a room on a higher floor for views, and visit the rooftop bar around sunset for the best light over Namsan.

Lotte runs several other hotels in the area, including the flagship Lotte Hotel Seoul, so the neighbourhood is well served by airport buses and taxis. The rooftop footbath is most pleasant in spring and autumn, when the evening air is cool.

Myeongdong Station on Line 4 is right next to the hotel, with Exit 9 the closest, so the airport limousine buses, the Seoul Station AREX terminal and the rest of the subway network are all easy to reach. Namdaemun Market, the Namsan cable car, Myeongdong Cathedral, Myeongdong Kyoja and the NANTA theatre are within walking distance, and Namsangol Hanok Village is a few minutes away along Toegye-ro.