Is Yeouido a good place to stay in Seoul?

Yeouido is a good base if you're in Seoul on business or want a calm, modern hotel by the river. Yeouido station has Line 5 and Line 9, and the Line 9 express runs quickly to Gangnam and Gimpo Airport. It suits business travellers, couples and anyone who likes the idea of a riverside walk after dinner.

The island is the city's financial district, with the National Assembly at one end and the towers of IFC Seoul and Parc1 in the middle. The Hyundai Seoul and the IFC Mall have some of the best food halls in the city, Yeouido Park cuts through the centre, and Yeouido Hangang Park stretches along the water with lawns, cycle paths and views across the river.

The downside is that Yeouido can feel empty once the offices close, with few bars or lively streets nearby. The palaces, Insadong and Myeongdong are a subway ride away, and during the cherry blossom season and the fireworks festival the island is packed and getting around is slow.

What makes Yeouido worth considering is the river. You can walk out of your hotel into Yeouido Hangang Park, eat well in the department store food halls and reach Gangnam or the airport quickly, all from one of the most comfortable and orderly parts of Seoul.