Modern Luxury Meets the Heart of Seoul at Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun

October 10, 2025

Opened in 2016 (on the site of a former police station), the Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun, a modern, four-star downtown Seoul property, is well-situated for both sightseeing and jaunts into the lively Myeong-dong district, home to world-class shopping.

The second floor of the Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun houses the lobby, Momo Café Restaurant, Momo Lounge, and Moments Lounge.

Both lounges offer a selection of snacks, beers, wines, cocktails and whiskeys.

[Korea’s 14th century Sungnyemun Gate, one of Seoul’s eight gates, is at the hotel’s doorstep]

As a first-time visitor to Seoul, I had been searching for a hotel with excellent proximity to major shopping venues and cultural attractions while being well serviced by public transit and was happy to discover that Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun proved ideal for all of the above!

Check-in and concierge service is helpful, friendly, and efficient. The hotel’s 400 rooms are centered around an atrium from the fifth through 22nd floors.

The complimentary guest business center includes two computers, a scanner, printer and free wifi. An adjacent eight-seat conference room can be reserved (for a fee).

Rooms

Rooms are modern and well laid out, with easy-to-access lighting panes and several charging outlets in the right spots (e.g. by the table at the window, and at each bedside). Small Asian-inspired box lights are set against dark wood accents and cream walls, for an elegant look to match the dark wood cabinetry throughout.

A pop of colour greets me as I enter my 18th-floor Premier King bedroom: A bright avocado-green mini fridge/coffee storage space with matching shelf sports a Coway water purifier. Water on demand is a welcome feature of both this hotel and the RYSE, Autograph Collection in Hongdae. With travellers well-adjusted to carrying refillable water bottles, having an in-room water purifier just makes sense.

Nirvae Botanicals hair and bath products are wall-mounted in the rainfall shower area. A glass wall separates this space from the bedroom, with a privacy blind that can be pulled down if desired. Inside the closet is an electronic safe, ironing board and iron, plus two terry robes and pairs of slippers.

There’s ample space to store clothes and other travel items in varying closet and shelf spaces. Both USB and UK-style outlet plugs are here to charge tech.

Dining

The breakfast buffet selection at all-day dining venue MoMo Café is plentiful and regularly restocked with a wide assortment of both Korean and Western dishes, from delicious omelettes to ramen, both made to order.

Homemade cream cheese and butter are prepared and served each morning to avoid single-use packages.

Boasting sweeping city views from the 22nd floor, newly-opened The 22 Namdaemun Bakery offers delightful afternoon treats set amongst views of the city’s iconic landmarks (N Seoul Tower, Sungnyemun Gate).

A range of gorgeous cakes, pastries, teas, and coffees are served here with a focus on Korean-style afternoon tea sets. At the moment, the Autumn Delights Set (through October 31) includes five exquisite desserts, a welcome drink, and an Americano.

Gym

The 24-hour gym contains state-of-the-art treadmills, bar bells, and other fitness machines, on the basement level.

If your clothes are in need of a wash, there’s a 24-hour self-service laundry room on this level as well (7,000 won for each wash and dry cycle, payable by credit card).

[Starfield Library’s stunning floor-to-ceiling book collection at COEX Mall]

In the Neighbourhood

While the Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun is close to both City Hall and Hoehyeon metro stations for access to other destinations around the city, you’re just a three-minute walk to Namdaemun Market, a seven-minute walk to Myeong-dong shopping district, and an easy cab/Uber ride to Namsan Seoul Tower, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanock Village, Changdeokgung Palace, and the War Memorial of Korea.

[The National Museum of Korea houses a world-renowned Goryeo celadon pottery collection]

With access to Seoul’s city’s history, culture, and business centres, the Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun is an ideal choice from which to base your stay.

[Gangman Style statue at COEX]

The hotel also offers free daily shuttle service to Seoul Station, a major transport hub for high-speed trains to other parts of Korea as well as AREX trains to both Incheon and Gimpo airports.

[City Hall area]

[Deoksugung Palace is just a 15-minute walk from the hotel]

As I was here for several nights, I made use of the very friendly and helpful concierge team, who went above and beyond to help me with art exhibition details, dining spots, airport info, and guidance to many local points of interest.