Hamilton Hotel Itaewon Review 2026: Pool, Breakfast & Prime Location
Seeking a lively Seoul stay? Our 2026 review of Hamilton Hotel Itaewon highlights its rooftop pool, tasty breakfast, and prime spot for diving into Itaewon's dynamic scene.
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Seeking a lively Seoul stay? Our 2026 review of Hamilton Hotel Itaewon highlights its rooftop pool, tasty breakfast, and prime spot for diving into Itaewon's dynamic scene.
With the weather being incredibly hot this weekend,
I decided to escape to a cool hotel
to revel in a 'hocance' (hotel vacation) and soak up some refreshing pool time.
That's where I headed: the vibrant
Hamilton Hotel Itaewon!
I'll be sharing my review of the Hamilton Hotel, covering everything from the pool, breakfast, and parking fees to the overall price.
+ And to help you save a little,
I'll also be dropping a special partner coupon pack at the very end!
Emerging from Itaewon Station Exit 1 on Subway Line 6,
you'll spot the hotel building practically right in front of you,
making its accessibility truly fantastic.
Nestled at 179 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu,
this 3-star hotel
spanning from three basement levels to nine floors above ground,
it boasts a grand total of 166 guest rooms,
making it quite a substantial establishment.
Imagine splashing around in the rooftop pool,
then stepping out into the heart of Itaewon in the evening
to discover lively pubs and delicious eateries.
For exploring and then comfortably retreating back to your room,
it truly hits the mark in terms of both location and value.
📍 Hamilton Hotel
179 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
My Room Stay Experience
The Hamilton Hotel, originally built in 1970,
meaning it's over 50 years old!
I confess, I was a little worried it might feel its age.
But, to my pleasant surprise, it underwent a
thorough renovation in 2015, making it wonderfully clean and modern!
Upon checking in and stepping into my room,
I found the furniture to be in great condition, not looking worn at all.
Both the bathroom and the guest room overall
were kept to an excellent standard of cleanliness,
with thorough cleaning evident everywhere.
I really had no major complaints during my stay!
What truly sets it apart is its prime location, right in the heart of Itaewon's most happening spots.
Being right amidst the bustling commercial district means that nearby,
grabbing a delicious meal and enjoying a drink or two
before heading back to the hotel was incredibly convenient.
However, given its vibrant location, especially on evenings and weekends,
you might find yourself hearing some street noise.
If you're a light sleeper, it's a good idea to request a room on the
opposite side of the alley when you make your reservation.
Nevertheless, as it's practically the only major accommodation option right in the heart of Itaewon,
there really isn't another choice quite like the Hamilton Hotel, haha! 😅
Dive into the Hamilton Hotel Pool!
After a restful Saturday night, I was up bright and early on Sunday, and by 10 AM
I made a beeline straight for the outdoor rooftop pool on the 5th floor of the main building.
Perhaps because I arrived right at opening, the pool was delightfully uncrowded,
and it seemed most visitors were there to soak up the sun and tan.
This meant I could enjoy a wonderfully leisurely swim!
With no kids splashing and running about,
it was wonderfully peaceful. It turns out the Hamilton pool operates as an exclusive adults-only sanctuary!
When it comes to swimwear, feel free to wear rash guards, bikinis, or briefs/trunks.
All are welcome! While swim caps are recommended,
you can still enter without one.
The operating season for the pool typically runs
from early June to late August each year.
However, they mentioned it might vary depending on how exceptionally hot a particular summer is!
Operating hours are typically from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM,
but good news: on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, they extend their hours until 8:00 PM!
The admission fee is ~$17 on weekdays
and ~$19 on weekends.
Keep in mind, these prices are for non-hotel guests.
Hotel guests, however, enjoy a fantastic 30% to 50% discount!
Once at the pool, I was immediately greeted by upbeat remix pop music
constantly playing, creating an incredibly exciting and lively atmosphere.
During the hottest time of day,
swimming in the cool water
was just perfect for setting the mood.
Food and alcoholic beverages are also sold, so
it was nice to order something to eat in between dips.
I had cheese hot wings and a zero-alcohol beer,
and while the price was a bit high, it tasted great!
For your reference, sunbed rental is ~$10
and a separate deposit is required.
You'll need to leave either ~$7 cash
or a physical ID.
If you don't bring cash or an ID, you won't be able to rent one,
so make sure to prepare them before heading up.
Also, for weekday walk-in guests on a first-come, first-served basis,
they say you get a free sunbed coupon!
Hamilton Hotel Breakfast Buffet Review
I had breakfast at the Hameal restaurant,
located on the first floor of the main building.
Operating hours are from 07:30 to 11:00!
The fee is ~$16 for adults (13 years and older),
and ~$10 for children (12 years and younger).
The breakfast price isn't exactly cheap,
However, I booked my stay through Yeogi Eottae, and
breakfast was provided for free, so I didn't have to pay extra
to enjoy the Hamilton Hotel breakfast.
So, if you're planning to have breakfast,
booking through here can save you ~$16! Haha.
The food selection includes hearty options like omelets and pho,
perfect for filling you up,
as well as bacon, scrambled eggs, egg fried rice,
french fries, beef seaweed soup (miyeok-juk),
abalone porridge (jeonbok-juk), yukgaejang, and more.
There's a diverse array of Korean and Western dishes.
For those seeking healthier options, there are salads, smoked salmon, cheese, and salami,
among other choices.
You'll also find lighter American/British-style fare like croissants and other baked goods, cereal,
fruit juices, and brewed coffee,
perfect for a quick bite.
Hamilton Hotel Parking Fees
Itaewon is always bustling, making parking quite a challenge, but
guests get one free parking spot per room.
Also, sauna and fitness gold members
receive 3 hours of free parking.
General visitors can also park, but
it costs ~$2 for the first 30 minutes
and ~$1 per additional 10 minutes (~$6 per hour).
You'll have to pay these fees.
With its fantastic location right in front of Itaewon Station Exit 1,
reasonable accommodation costs,
and a rooftop pool perfect for summer fun,
I had a very satisfying stay.
Things like the sauna and fitness center
With fantastic facilities available,
it's perfect for a relaxing hotel staycation and spending quality time!
If you're looking for a place to stay near Itaewon,
Hamilton Hotel offers incredible value and is super conveniently located, so
definitely check out their room details!
To help you snag a slightly better deal when you book,
I'm sharing the coupon pack I promised you!
The Hamilton Hotel rooftop pool operates as an adults-only facility. It is open annually from early June to late August. Operating hours are from 10:00 to 18:00. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, extended hours are available until 20:00.
The admission fee for non-guests is ~$17 on weekdays and ~$19 on weekends. Sunbed rental costs ~$10, and a deposit of ~$7 in cash or a physical ID card is required.
The breakfast buffet is available at Haemi Restaurant on the 1st floor of the main building from 07:30 to 11:00. The adult (ages 13 and over) rate is ~$16, but you can save money by booking your stay through 'Yeogi Eottae' (a Korean booking platform), which includes free breakfast.
Guests are entitled to one free parking space per room. Gold members of the sauna and fitness center receive 3 hours of free parking. General visitors must pay ~$2 for the first 30 minutes, and an additional ~$1 for every 10 minutes thereafter (which amounts to ~$6 per hour).
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Hamilton Hotel, Seoul Station·Itaewon·Yongsan, Seoul - Yeogi Eottae Special Offer
Integrated Partner Coupon Pack - Yeogi Eottae Event