Tossing the seaside pleasures of Busan into your South Korea itinerary? Choosing where to stay in Busan will be an important step in planning your trip.
Like in many South Korean cities, the best hotels in Busan spread over a wide area. The city comprises several unique areas, neighbourhoods, and districts. Whether you have one day in Busan or plan an extended stay, each area hosts a plethora of hotels, guesthouses, and lodgings for every travel budget.
Need a kick-start for your Busan accommodations search? Follow along with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Busan, South Korea, including the top-rated areas and hotels!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our South Korea Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Busan, South Korea
Like in any big Asian city, nailing down where to stay in Busan isn’t always easy for travellers. There’s a huge inventory of accommodations in Busan at various price points. Not all are great options for those spending limited time here as a visitor.
To get the most out of your travel experience, stay in one of the areas of central Busan. The most central neighbourhoods are closest to the best things to do in Busan. They all also offer excellent transportation connections for tackling Busan to its fullest.
The best areas to stay in Busan are:
- Seomyeon is the best area for first-time travellers. This central neighbourhood offers great public transportation connections via nearby Busan Station. From here, the rest of Busan is available for your sightseeing pleasure.
- Haeundae is the top neighbourhood for beach lovers and luxury travellers. Besides the sweeping sea views from the city’s most famous beach, some of the top luxury hotels in Busan call Haeundae home.
- Nampo-dong is the best district for shoppers and foodies. Nampo-dong is home to some of the city’s top shopping spots and food markets.
- Gwangan is the top choice area for travellers looking to spend time on the beach without drifting too far from the city centre.
Seomyeon
✓ Best area to stay in Busan for first-time travellers
For first-time visitors, Seomyeon occupies the top spot among the best places to stay in Busan. This bustling neighbourhood is as central as you can get in this sprawling & geographically complicated city
The main reason many travellers chose to stay in Seomyeon is its direct connection to Busan Station. Seomyeon Station lies at the intersection of Busan’s two main subway lines, Lines 1 & 2.
From either line, you can zip over to many of the city’s best attractions without changing trains. Options include Beomeosa Temple, Haeundae Beach, Jagalchi Fish Market and Gwangalli Beach. In a city with such grand distances to cover, this is a huge time saver!
Besides its convenient transport connections, the Seomyeon area offers a ton of its own charms. It’s home to some of the best shopping, restaurants, and nightlife in Busan. Boredom will never set in if you choose Seomyeon as your temporary home in Busan.
Seomyeon is the best area for first-time travellers. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to experience a vibrant urban neighbourhood with plenty to do day and night.
Beachgoers may, however, want to stay elsewhere. Seomyeon is a relatively long subway ride away from the two best beaches in Busan, Haeundae, and Gwangalli.
Attractions in Seomyeon: Seomyeon Underground Shopping Center, Bujeong Market, 7Luck Casino, Seomyeon Food Alley, Club Fix
Recommended hotels in Seomyeon
Most of the best places to stay in Seomyeon skate between the budget and the mid-range. There’s little here offered in the high-end of the accommodations market. Here are a few of the best hotels in Seomyeon…
- Uniqstay Bed & Breakfast: This boutique-style Busan hotel shows off excellent value for Seomyeon. Rooms are clean, spacious & simply decorated. Reservations include a yummy breakfast. Seomyeon Station is a few minutes away by foot.
- Arban Hotel: This delightful contemporary 3-star hotel occupies in a super central location. It features bright & spacious rooms with sleek modern amenities. Chill out on the relaxing rooftop terrace to big views over the city during your stay. Seomyeon Station is a short 5-minute walk away to get movin’ around Busan.
- Lotte Hotel Busan: The only 5-star luxury hotel in Seomyeon. Rooms are bigger than most in Busan, featuring hip contemporary styling. They’re accented by flashy cityscape views through wide picture windows. On-site bonuses like the outdoor pool, sauna, and gym add even more comfort and convenience to your stay. The duty-free Lotte Department Store is interconnected to the hotel. It’s the perfect destination for shopaholics.
Haeundae
✓ Top area to stay for beach-bums & luxury travellers
Did Busan’s seaside charms lure you here? The coastal neighbourhood of Haeundae should be at the top of your list of areas to stay in Busan.
Haueundae is home to the popular Haeundae Beach, probably the most famous urban beach in South Korea. Haeundae’s waterfront glamour is front-and-centre. It draw visitors from all around South Korea and the world.
Besides to its white-sand beach, Haeundae is peppered with great places to visit. You’ll find coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants, and pumpin’ bars. The area is also home some of the best hotels in Busan.
With its picture perfect seaviews, the area has become quite fashionable. Among the glamorous buildings lining the coast, you’ll find some of the top 5-star hotels in Busan. There’s also a good selection of budget & mid-range hotels & guesthouses for price-conscious travellers.
Haeundae is the best place to stay in Busan for travellers looking to get close to the beach. It’s also a good choice for staying in the most luxurious hotels in Busan.
There’s plenty to do around Haeundae, day & night, during your stay. Even though you’re removed from the centre, you won’t feel like it.
More interested in getting an urban buzz than chillin’ on the beach? Choose to stay in either Seomyeon or Nampo-dong instead.
Attractions in Haeundae: Haeundae Beach, Shinsegae Department Store, Centum City, Busan Museum of Art, Haeundae Market, Dongbaekseom, APEC House
Recommended hotels in Haeundae
With its popular location, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Haeundae accommodations scene has a little of everything.
Much of the focus, however, is on the mid-range and luxury segments of the market. The Haeundae area holds the highest concentration of 5-star hotels in Busan. Here are a few of the best hotels in Haeundae…
- Good Day Mate: This comfortable hostel & guesthouse is located three minutes from the beach. Its style blends shab-chic with industrial elements for a unique look. Both shared accommodations and private rooms with private bathrooms are offered.
- MS Hotel Haeundae: This 3-star Busan hotel has a near-perfect location in Haeundae. It’s a mere one-minute walk from the beach. Rooms are spacious and decked out with modern furnishings that create clean design lines. The beachfront vistas from the deluxe ocean view rooms are fantastic.
- Park Hyatt Busan: Not just one of the best luxury hotels in Busan, but among the best places to stay in Korea. The luxuriant rooms at this hotel are expansive. They’re fitted with warm modern wooden furnishings for an ultra-sophisticated look. Evening views unto Gwangan Bridge from the deluxe ocean-view guest rooms are magical. Settle in for a meal at the on-site 32nd-floor restaurant, Dining Room, for even bigger vistas.
Nampo-dong
✓ Best neighbourhood to stay for shoppers & foodies
Feeling the Korean urban buzz in Busan doesn’t get better than in Nampo-dong. The neighbourhood is the city’s answer to Seoul’s Myeongdong. In Nampo-dong, both your tastebuds and your wallet will get some exercise. As you explore, some of the tastiest foods in Busan and the best shopping in Busan unfold. Nampo-dong is also closer to more top Busan attractions than any other area.
Nampo-dong got its own glitzy fashion boutiques, cosmetic shops, and restaurants. It’s also a short walk to other Busan favourites. Nearby, you’ll find Jagalchi Fish Market, Gukje Market, Yongdusan Park, and Busan Tower. The colourful and artistic Gamcheon Culture Village is a quick bus ride away as well.
Nampo-dong is the best choice for travellers interested in shopping and sampling the best street food the city.
Nampo-dong also a great area to stay for anyone with limited time in Busan. There are a ton of things to see & do within a short walking distance.
More interested in nightlife than shopping & eating? You might prefer to stay in Seomyeon, Haeundae or Gwangan instead of Nampo-dong.
Attractions in and around Nampo-dong: Jagalchi Fish Market, Gukje Market, Yongdusan Park, Busan Tower
Recommended hotels in Nampo-dong
Given the upscale shopping here, accommodations in Nampo-dong are surprisingly short on luxury.
Much of the scene floats in the budget and mid-range. Top-end 5-star luxury hotels are noticeably absent. There are plenty of great quality hotels & guesthouses here, though, with good value. Here are a few of the best hotels to stay in Nampo-dong…
- 24 Guesthouse Nampo: An excellent value central guesthouse from a well-known Korean budget chain. The style here is festive and sober, with bright rooms to lighten up your day. Both shared dorms and budget-friendly private rooms with private bathrooms are offered for your stay. Nampo Station is just outside the door.
- Stanford Inn Busan: This clean and modern 3-star hotel occupies an awesome location, minutes from Jagalchi Market. Rooms are spacious by Korean standards. They showcase superb city and sea views during your stay.
- Aventree Hotel Busan: In the luxury-starved Nampo accommodations scene, this 3.5-star hotel is as good as it gets. The elegant rooms are decorated in warm colours. They’ll relax the mind as you stare out unto incredible city views. Gukje Market is right outside the door. Visit for some for energy-surging shopping and Korean food excursions.
Gwangan
✓ Top neighbourhood to stay in Busan for enjoying the beach & great food near the city centre
Sea and sun worshippers alike will love the surf & sand of Gwangan. Next to Haeundae, the neighbourhood is Busan’s second most popular beach area. In many ways Gwangan—with its beautiful Gwangalli Beach—is preferable to the most far-reaching Haeundae. Its location closer to the city centre and its more mature evening festivities are a draw for many.
Like other areas in Busan, Gwangan shines with its food & drink options. There are plenty of restaurants serving both Korean and international fare. You’ll have no problem keeping your tastebuds a-buzzin’ here.
The true pleasure of staying in Gwangan, though, comes at night. The city’s most famous bridge, Gwangandaegyo (Diamond Bridge), stretches across the ocean here. The bridge spans over seven kilometres towards Haeundae.
Sit with a drink to the faint evening glow of traffic racing across the lit-up bridge. It’s one of the best experiences you’ll have in Korea’s second-biggest city.
Gwangan is the perfect place to stay in Busan for travellers looking to spend time on the beach without getting too far from the rest of the city.
Gwangan has a slightly more urban feel than Haeundae. It appeals to visitors looking to delve into an authentic Korean city experience.
Interested in the city atmosphere without the beach or want a more central location? Seomyeon or Nampo-dong would be better choices than Gwangan.
Attractions in Gwangan: Gwangandaegyo (Diamond Bridge), Gwangalli Beach, Kyungsung University
Recommended hotels in Gwangan
There isn’t a large selection of accommodations in Gwangan itself. Expand your search by looking elsewhere in Suyeong-gu. Neighbouring Daeyeon-dong (home of Kyungsung University) also offers a few more accommodation choices. Here are the best hotels in Gwangan…
- Bexco Hostel B&B: This small guesthouse delivers excellent value for accommodations in Gwangan. The excellent sea & bridge views fly well beyond the hostel’s price point. Both shared accommodations and private rooms with private bathrooms are offered.
- Dawn Beach Hotel Busan: This no-frills hotel is located just two minutes from Gwangalli Beach. Rooms are relatively spacious for Korea and serve up amazing city & sea views.
- Kent Hotel Gwangalli by Kensington: Located on the beach, this 3.5-star property is perhaps the best hotel in Gwangan. Each room is decorated with hip modern stylings. Some rooms feature stunning ocean and city panoramas through wide picture windows.
Best hotels in Busan
Budget
24 Guesthouse Nampo Station
Address: 9-1, Gudeok-ro, Jung-gu
Getting front-and-centre in Busan is never easier than staying at the delightful 24 Guesthouse Nampo Station. Whimsical cartoon rabbits and cheery colours greet you as you enter this clean and bright guesthouse and hostel.
24 Guesthouse Nampo Station offers shared accommodations and private rooms with private bathrooms. Both provide cozy quarters for your adventures. The true star of the guesthouse, though, is the Sky Lounge, the guesthouse’s rooftop terrace. Retire here in the evening to chat with other guests amid the sights & sounds of Busan.
Of course, the location of 24 Guesthouse Nampo Station is brilliant, too. As you’d guess from the name, Nampo Station is steps away along with BIFF Square and Jagalchi Market.
Lion Hotel
Address: 14-7, Jungang-daero 691beonga-gil, Busanjin-gu
Sticking to your budget without skimping on quality isn’t hard when you book a stay at the Lion Hotel. For its central location in Seomyeon, this 3-star hotel is surprisingly easy on the wallet. It’ll save you some serious won for all the brilliant shopping & eating options surrounding you.
The rooms at Lion Hotel are decorated with a touch of simple modern elegance. The accommodations are far grander than its price point would suggest.
Even the hotel’s budget-friendly standard rooms are super spacious. They also throw in luxurious extras like large soaker bathtubs and rain showers. Together, it all makes for a relaxing stay in the heart of Busan.
Queens Hotel
Address: 56, Bujeon-ro, Busanjin-gu
This hotel is proof that simple doesn’t have to mean cramped or boring. Queens Hotel is one of the best places to stay in central Busan on a budget. Rooms here defy the usual budget Korean size standard. They dole out a ton of space to keep the claustrophobics among us in check.
Comfortable beds at Queens Hotel complement the soundproofed rooms to deliver a restful night’s sleep. Modern fixtures in the bathroom include deep soaker tubs and rain showers. They take your comfort and relaxation to the next level.
Best of all is its location. Queens Hotel chills out in the buzzing Seomyeon neighbourhood. In the area, some of the finest shopping and best food in Busan await.
24 Guesthouse Haeundae Premier
Address: 1394-37, Jung 1-dong, Haeundae-gu
One of the most popular budget chains in Korea strikes again in Busan. 24 Guesthouse Haeundae Premier delivers the usual goods in a location that’s anything but ordinary.
Within less than a 10-minute walk from this budget guesthouse, you’ll be at the seafront. Soak up the rays and watch the surf on Haeundae Beach, one of the best places to hang out in Busan.
The rooms at 24 Guesthouse Haeundae Premier, both shared & private, set the stage for relaxation. They offer bright, calming colours and clean modern decor.
There’s a small kitchen for guests to cook here, too. But all the brilliant budget-friendly food options in Haeundae wait. You’d be hard-pressed not to find a great meal when you walk out the door and explore.
Hotel Foret Premier Nampo
Address: 54-1, Gudeok-ro, Jung-gu
Hotel Foret Premier Nampo straddles the top-end of the budget category and the lower end of the mid-range Busan hotel scene. It assembles a classier Busan accommodations experience than other hotels at a similar price point.
This elegant 3-star hotel ditches run-of-the-mill bland room designs. The rooms delight guests with rich accents and unique patterned carpets.
There’s more to the hotel than its spacious rooms and expansive bathrooms fitted with modern fixtures. Hotel Foret Premier Nampo also deserves kudos for its location in the centre of Nampo-dong.
In whichever direction you turn, your tastebuds will have a field day. You’ll get easily sample some of the best food that Busan has to offer. Or hit the boutiques and dispense with some won with some of the best shopping in Busan.
Mid-range
Stanford Inn Busan
Address: 53, Gudeok-ro, Jung-gu
Among the best mid-range hotels in Busan, there’s hardly a better choice than Stanford Inn Busan. This immaculately clean 3-star hotel punches well above its weight. It charms visitors with dramatic sea and city views from well-appointed rooms.
The rooms at Stanford Inn stay true to the Anglo-Saxon name. Each draws inspiration from modern and classic European designs for a look that’s unique in Nampo. Extras like deep soaker tubs and electronic washlet toilets boost the value.
Even if the rooms don’t get your goat, the location in central Busan will. Stanford Inn lies mere blocks from the top sites in Nampo-dong, including Jagalchi Market. Visit the famous market to tackle your undying love of seafood one squid and a time. (Or to get your cultural fill.)
Arban Hotel
Address: 32, Jungang-daero 691beon-gil, Busanjin-Gu
A central location in one of the best areas to stay in Busan is the tip of the iceberg for the wonderful Arban Hotel. This 3-star hotel occupies a prime location in Seomyeon. It snags guests with luxurious touches that are rare in the Busan mid-range.
As much as the ample modern rooms will strike you, the appeal of the Arban Hotel doesn’t end with its interior.
After a meal in the hotel’s eating area, spill onto the atmospheric rooftop terrace for a bout of relaxation. This calming space is fringed by gnarled trees and flowering shrubs to a backdrop of breathtaking views of Busan. It’ll breathe life into your stay and keep you coming back for more.
Aventree Hotel Busan
Address: 6, Gwangbok-ro 39beon-gil, Jung-gu
The elegant & sophisticated Aventree Hotel Busan drops down serious mid-range luxury in Nampo-dong. It supplies more than enough ammo to establish your home-away-from-home in Busan.
The classy rooms at Aventree Hotel are warm rather than bright. They feature rich modern accents doused in rich dark colours. There’s plenty of space, too. You’ll love chilling out in the comfortable beds here. And you’ll do it without feeling cramped as in other standard Busan hotel rooms.
What you’ll dig most, though, is the location. Aventree Hotel empties into Gukje Market, where a treasure trove of unique finds awaits. Other shopping options like Gwangbok Fashion Street and BIFF Square are also nearby. Got an appetite? The mouth-watering restaurants of Nampo-dong are scattered in every direction.
GnB Hotel
Address: 19, Heukgyo-ro, Jung-gu
Flexing a unique blend of mid-range glitz & glamour, the GnB Hotel delivers a superb accommodations experience. It’s among the most value-laden choices in Busan.
Spacious rooms open up to stunning city views glowing through large picture windows. And the vistas only get better as night falls.
Even if the skyline panoramas fail to impress, GnB Hotel’s Nampo-dong location will draw your attention. The hotel is just 8 minutes by foot from Toesong Station. Here, you can catch a bus to Gamcheon Culture Village, one of the raddest places to check out in Busan. The best markets in Busan, including Gukje Market and Jagalchi Market, are similarly close to skedaddle to.
Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Busan
Address: 20, Seomyeon-ro, Busanjin-gu
As much as Koreans might not dig it, the mighty tentacles of a big Japanese hotel chain landing in South Korea can’t be too bad. At not when top-notch mid-range hotels like the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Busan pop up.
Like its brethren in Japan, this hotel delivers a delightful Busan accommodations experience. It’s replete with extras that are often absent among peers in its price range.
Standard stock for Busan, the rooms at Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel are only half the picture. All guests are granted complimentary access to the sauna and fitness centre. To delve further into your wellness, an on-site massage parlour lies in wait to smush out all your kinks.
Luxury
Park Hyatt Busan
Address: 51, Marine City 1-ro, Haeundae-gu
No serious discussion about the best luxury hotels in Busan takes place without the Park Hyatt Busan taking centre stage. Words fail to describe the allure of this incredible 5-star hotel. It’s not just one of the top picks in Busan, but in South Korea.
Rooms at the Park Hyatt charm guests with warm wood grain flooring and contemporary furnishings. They blend both Asian and Western sensibilities. Floor-to-ceiling windows unleash epic vistas of the Busan skyline and the ocean. Select rooms flash the landmark Gwangan Bridge.
Beyond falling asleep to the gentle lights of Busan on your cloud-like bed, the Park Hyatt delivers the full 5-star experience at every turn. Seek out relaxation at Lumi Spa & Fitness. Or enjoy a delectable Korean meal among the city’s best sea views at one of hotel’s two sky-high restaurants (Dining Room & Living Room). Whatever your whims, the Park Hyatt Busan entrances and delights.
Lotte Hotel Busan
Address: 772, Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu
Korea’s own homegrown luxury chain hit another home run with the graceful indulgences of Lotte Hotel Busan. It’s hardly a cliché to state that this 5-star hotel in Busan offers guests everything.
With features like dark modern furnishings and deep soaker tubs, the rooms are bound to impress. But the oodles of amenities are what separate Lotte Hotel from the pack.
You can drown your stresses with a dip in the indoor or outdoor pool or sweat out some maekju in the sauna. For more intense action, pump iron in the fitness centre. And that’s barely half of it.
Connected to the Lotte Hotel is a massive duty-free store. It features hundreds of luxury items, a movie theatre, and a department store. The property is also home to several on-site restaurants.
Of course, if all that isn’t enough, Lotte Hotel dwells in the exciting Seomyeon area. In the neighbourhood, shopping, eating, and nightlife awaits around every corner.
The Westin Chosun Busan
Address: 67, Dongbaek-ro, Haeundae-gu
Beach bums with some change to spare will love splurging on The Westin Chosun Busan. This wonderful 5-star hotel sprouts from Haeundae Beach at the head of leafy Dongbaek Park. It delivers with one of the best locations in Busan. It’s a perfect alternative to getting hemmed into the clamorous streets of central Busan.
Rooms at The Westin Chosun delight with warm neutral colours for a clean & passive look. Through wide panoramic windows, spellbinding Busan city & sea views loom. They brighten by day and soften at night with the warm glow of the skyline adding ambiance.
It’s the full house of amenities, though, that’ll keep you sticking around The Westin Chosun.
The hotel is home to six on-site dining & drinking establishments. From the Korean dishes of Sheobul to the cheekily named Irish pub O’Kim’s, your tastebuds won’t leave unsatisfied. When lounging on Haeundae Beach, steps from the door, isn’t enough, unwind with a soothing massage at the on-site spa. Or slip into the indoor pool for a less-crowded dip.
Paradise Hotel & Casino Busan
Address: 296, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu
It’s easy to forget you’re in Korea’s second-biggest city while chillaxing to the crashing waves at the Paradise Hotel & Casino Busan. From the moment you start exploring its grounds, this luxurious 5-star hotel will win you over. Its broad seaside vistas set within garden-like surroundings are striking.
Whether you opt for a waterfront suite or a city-view twin, the rooms at the Paradise Hotel & Casino are remarkable. Both feature refined decor that adds an air of sophistication to your stay.
Where the hotel pushes ahead of others, though, is in its outdoor spaces. Slip into one of the oceanfront outdoor pools to soak in some of the most compelling sea views in Busan.
Haeundae Grand Hotel
Address: 217, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu
Although less flashy than other best luxury hotels in Busan, Haeundae Grand Hotel is no slouch for charming guests. The classy rooms are festooned with sensational city & sea views. They pony up some of the best value in the area—even dipping into the mid-range when deals pop up.
Haeundae Beach is two minutes away by foot. And if that isn’t enough to get the blood flowing, Haeundae Grand Hotel offers an on-site sauna and massage parlour for guests.
Travellers seeking more active pursuits will get their fix at the hotel’s indoor golf range. There’s also a drawn-out 50-metre-long swimming pool and a well-equipped two-floor fitness centre.
