Novotel Dongdaemun Seoul Review 2026: Rooftop Pool & Rooms

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel | Review of Novotel Dongdaemun Breakfast & Outdoor Pool

Just a 5-minute walk from the subway station,

the absolute best location for exploring Seoul!

⭐️Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel Review | Room Types, Breakfast, Outdoor Pool & Rooftop Bar

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun is

the only hotel in the Dongdaemun area that features

a heated rooftop outdoor pool,

a sunlit indoor pool filled with natural light,

and the option to choose between hotel rooms and residence-style stays.

Plus, it's in a prime golden location, within easy walking distance of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, DDP, and Cheonggyecheon Stream.

#SeoulHotelPool #SeoulOutdoorPool #SeoulHotelBuffet #DongdaemunHotel #SeoulAccommodation #SeoulRooftopPool #SeoulRooftop #SeoulStay #SeoulTravel

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel | Review of Novotel Dongdaemun Breakfast & Outdoor Pool

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel, Seoul

⤵️

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences Reviews & Deals, Seoul 2026 | Trip.com3ha.in

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences

📍 Location & Address

238 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Euljiro 6-ga)

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel is

within easy walking distance of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station,

and super close to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Myeongdong, Insadong, and Namsan Mountain!

✔️ Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 12:00 PM

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences Reviews & Deals, Seoul 2026 | Trip.com3ha.in

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5-Star Hotel

Price Range: Starting from ~$256

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Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel

Room Condition & Vibe

During this visit, I stayed in the Premier Suite,

located on the 5th floor.

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel | Review of Novotel Dongdaemun Breakfast & Outdoor Pool

Personally, I absolutely loved how spacious it felt! The double-sided floor-to-ceiling windows let in so much natural light, and having a separate sofa area made it feel incredibly cozy and open.

But my absolute favorite part was definitely the bathroom...

At the far end of the bathroom, there's a lovely, long, and spacious bathtub.

If you love a good soak, I highly recommend it!

Just a heads up, when you walk into the bathroom,

the sink is on the left, and the toilet/shower booth on the right

is only semi-frosted.

So unless you're a solo traveler or a couple,

it might feel a little awkward!

It’s a bit tough for one person to use the toilet while the other is taking a shower...

There isn't much to see outside, so the view isn't spectacular, but the natural light flooding in was beautiful.

Plus, the bed was so plush and cozy that I fell right asleep.

(Of course, passing out after some wine definitely helped,

but I'm officially adding this to my list of "best hotels for a good night's sleep in Seoul"!)

They provided about 2 or 3 bottles of complimentary water.

Since it's a suite, isn't that a tad stingy? Haha.

Each room is equipped with a tablet,

allowing you to easily browse and request hotel services

in English, Chinese, and Japanese, as well as Korean.

If you set it to Chinese and speak to it, it answers in Chinese...

Perfect for a quick language study session!

It was super convenient because you could use it to request amenities, control the lighting and music, or order room service.

Oh, and besides the bathroom mirror,

Novotel Dongdaemun has

another full-length mirror right by the entryway

so you can check your outfit from head to toe.

It's perfect for a quick fit check and some mirror selfies!

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun | Breakfast & Outdoor Pool Review

Maybe because it was a suite, there was a round air purifier

already placed in the room without us even asking.

But even in other rooms, Novotel Dongdaemun lets you borrow

adapters, heaters, fans, humidifiers, phone chargers, baby cribs, and more upon request.

I borrowed a phone charger, used it, and returned it before checkout.

So convenient!

The fridge is a drawer-style one.

Even the more standard room types

at the Dongdaemun Novotel

are super clean and modern, featuring this wood and white-toned interior.

And Novotel Dongdaemun also offers

Residence-type rooms equipped with a sink,

where you can whip up simple meals.

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel

Breakfast Review

✔️ You can enjoy the breakfast buffet

at the Food Exchange on the 20th floor.

✔️ Adults: ~$35 per person (Children up to 13 years old: ~$18)

✔️ Breakfast Buffet Hours:

06:30 - 10:00

On weekdays, breakfast is split into two sessions

(Session 1: 06:30–08:10, Session 2: 08:20–10:00).

On weekends, the breakfast buffet runs in three sessions.

For Executive Room guests, breakfast is served in the Lounge on weekends, and at the Food Exchange on weekdays.

✔️ No entry allowed in swimsuits, slippers, or room robes.

✔️ Breakfast Room Service:

Available from 06:30 to 12:00

You can choose from Continental, American, or Korean menu options.

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel | My Review of the Breakfast and Outdoor Pool

For the first time at a hotel in Korea,

I was actually heading down in the elevator for breakfast instead of ordering room service,

so I was a little excited!

To cut to the chase, the breakfast at Novotel Dongdaemun

is delicious—especially the live cooking station (which felt like the main highlight)!

It gets pretty crowded, so grabbing a prime spot can be a bit of a challenge,

but the views of the bright blue sky through the floor-to-ceiling windows are absolutely gorgeous.

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel | My Review of the Breakfast and Outdoor Pool

(You can even eat your breakfast at the bar seating

right by the entrance on the right!)

While the buffet area itself isn't massive,

it has absolutely everything you'd expect

and want.

The egg dishes, in particular, were cooked to perfection.

I also loved seeing fresh asparagus

on the breakfast menu—such a nice touch!

The chefs were absolute pros too—

super fast and incredibly friendly.

Overall, breakfast at Novotel Dongdaemun was highly satisfying.

And hey, if it tasted great to me, it’s probably delicious to everyone else too!

The buffet was completely packed.

But the staff managed guest entry so well that

it never felt chaotic or overwhelming.

They were also incredibly quick at clearing away empty plates.

They also had a fantastic spread of Korean options.

While locals might find it standard,

it’s a brilliant opportunity for international travelers visiting Seoul

to sample a variety of authentic Korean dishes in small, approachable portions

all at once.

⭐️

(They had everything from bulgogi and warm rice to comforting porridge—

a great variety of home-cooked style Korean food! 🍴🍴)

Over at the live cooking station, they whip up fresh omelets

and other egg dishes on demand, which were incredibly tasty.

Paired with crispy hash browns and a steaming bowl of customizable Vietnamese pho (you choose the ingredients,

and they cook it right in front of you), it makes for an incredibly hearty morning meal.

*(Cilantro is optional, and yes, I was absolutely the one

who cleared out the entire cilantro station... guilty! 🌿)

Novotel Dongdaemun Hotel | My Review of the Breakfast and Outdoor Pool

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Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun

The Pool & Amenities

From April to October, you can access the crown jewel of Novotel Dongdaemun,

the stunning rooftop outdoor pool.

You can access it via the 20th floor.

There are sunbeds lined up on the deck if you want to catch some rays.

The pool is a decent size,

and since it's adults-only, it feels incredibly relaxing and peaceful.

Families with little ones can head to the hotel's Kids Zone—

a dedicated indoor play space perfect for kids to burn off some energy.

The outdoor rooftop pool hours are:

10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

If you want a longer swim, the indoor pool is open from 7:00 AM all the way to 9:30 PM.

(Bonus: Kids are welcome in the indoor pool!)

Access to the swimming pools is

completely free for all hotel guests!

- Price Comparison & Booking Link

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences Review & Special Deals, Seoul 2026 | Trip.com3ha.in

As part of the Accor family,

Novotel Dongdaemun also offers Residence-style rooms.

These look incredibly convenient for families

or anyone planning a longer stay in Seoul!

↗️

When I compared prices, booking through here

seemed to offer the best rates and perks!

- Other Recommendations

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun | Review of Breakfast & Outdoor Pool

Also, the area surrounding

Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun has these incredibly charming,

old-school Korean alleys that make you wonder,

"Is there really still a place like this left in Seoul?"

I absolutely loved wandering through them.

A local gentleman was playing with a tiny kitten,

and when he saw us watching,

he smiled and told us to take it home! 😂

It instantly reminded me of that legendary internet story

where travelers are told, "Manjoba, manjoba (Pet it)! Gajoga, gajoga (Take it)!"

and end up unexpectedly adopting a kitten.

It was such a warm, wholesome, and fuzzy moment.

If I were a traveler visiting Seoul from abroad,

I’d want a place with a prime location, authentic Korean surroundings,

and a super clean, modern interior.

Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun ticks all those boxes perfectly, so it was no surprise to see so many global travelers there!

But it didn't feel noisy or chaotic at all.

It just had a vibrant, lively atmosphere

that actually made me feel like I was traveling abroad myself! It was wonderful! ✨

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