Whether you are a fashionista or someone who appreciates a gorgeous building, you will fall in love with the Stylenanda Pink Hotel, an iconic building in the heart of the Myeongdong district in Seoul, South Korea.

Stylenanda Pink Hotel is Stylenanda’s themed flagship store in Myeongdong but many will definitely mistake it as an actual hotel because of its exterior; the exterior of the hotel reminds us of a quaint little hotel in a European suburb with an adorable pink front, retro windows and a LED light sign.

The Stylenanda Pink Hotel spans a total of 6 levels and each level is themed and designed beautifully. If you venture all the way to the highest floor, there is a rooftop terrace area where you can just chill and relax after a long day of shopping. Here is what you can expect from the Stylenanda Pink Hotel in Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea.

Walking around Myeongdong, you will not miss this amazing and gorgeous pink building. The Stylenanda Pink Hotel is a heaven for Korean fashion lovers as it embodies the main theme of quirky and beautiful Korean fashion trends.

The first two levels of the “hotel” are the “Lobby” and “Spa” but it mainly displays Stylenanda’s beauty line–3ce.

3ce is a well-known brand that is sold internationally but you can find a load more products to swatch and play here. Check out the colourful eyeshadows, lipsticks and lip tints before heading up to the next few levels to check out the clothing and accessories.

The third floor is a mini showcase of Stylenanda’s Nanda Made collection where it showcases the best of their in-house brand. You can find simple and flattering basics to loud and expressive colourful clothing.

What we love best about Korean fashion is the plethora of colourful choices you get at almost every store.

The fourth floor of the Stylenanda Pink Hotel is the Laundry level where accessories such as jewellery, sunglasses, caps and shoes are displayed. The whole level is style just like a retro laundromat you can find plenty of on-trend pieces to buy.

Before leaving, remember to check out the Stylenanda Pink Pool Cafe too! There are plenty of drinks and bakes for you to enjoy in between shopping.

Stylenanda Pink Hotel
37-8 Myeongdong 8-gil
Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-752-4546
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Myeongdong

The world is not done with the Korean craze just yet.

This Korean city is fascinating to say the least. There are so many things to see, so much to do, lots to eat, and many to fall in love with. Think of the palace visits, day trips to surrounding islands, street snacks and authentic Korean samgyetang, crazy cosmetics shopping and bargain-scouting at the universities, Lotte World, and K-pop.

We can only say that if you haven’t been to Seoul, you are missing out, and you need to understand what tickles the world. Fans of the city, do you also agree with these 24 Reasons to Love Seoul?

#1 GAROSU-GIL, A BEAUTIFUL TREE-LINED STREET WITH MANY NICHE BOUTIQUES, CHIC CAFES, AND FANCY RESTAURANTS

Located between Sinsa-dong and Apgujeong, Garosu-gil – which means “tree-lined street” in Korean – is fast becoming the hippest area in Seoul. It is a paradise where you can find niche boutiques, chic cafes, fancy restaurants and trendy hair salons; and every shopfront is a photo spot.

Be charmed by the whole charisma of this area where every soul is well-dressed; entice your senses with the unique offerings of arts, fashion and food; spend a day here and you will want to go back to Seoul again and again.

Read: 19 beautiful cafes in Garosu-gil that you must visit.

#2 GYEONGBOK-GUNG – THE MAIN ROYAL PALACE OF THE JOSEON DYNASTY

Gyeongbok-gung was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Take a walk through the ancient fortress, and learn about how the Korean royalty lived and breathed their culture.

#3 SAMGYETANG – THE WORLD’S FAMOUS KOREAN GINSENG CHICKEN SOUP

No one leaves Seoul without a piping hot bowl of ginseng chicken soup, or better known as samgyetang. The most famous Korean Ginseng Chicken restaurant in Seoul is Tosokchon – certainly a must-visit when you are in the city. We would suggest coming here for lunch before visiting Gyeongbokgung palace, which is just located 5 minutes away.

5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 737 7444
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung Station (Exit 2)

#4 VISIT TO NORYANGJIN FISHERIES WHOLESALE MARKET

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market – often compared to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market – is certainly one of the must-visit places when you are in Seoul. There are many stalls in the market where you can buy fresh sashimi, lobsters, crabs, prawns, live octopus, and a whole lot of other seafood which you probably have not seen before. After purchasing the seafood (make sure to bargain), go to the back of the market to find a restaurant to cook them for you in your preferred style(s).

#5 BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE – A CHARMING TRADITIONAL VILLAGE

A traditional village located just a stone’s throw away from Gyeongbok-gung, Bukchon Hanok Village is a charming enclave of old and new. ‘Hanok’ refers to the traditional houses that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. Today, the village is filled with teahouses, guesthouses and cultural centres.

#6 HAVE DESSERTS AT PASSION 5

If you ask for only one dessert spot in Seoul, it will be Passion 5. They have five different categories of dining all under one roof – gelato corner, bakery take-out station, patisserie and café, chocolatier and a full-fledged restaurant. Everything on display is so pretty that you are so going to have a hard time deciding on just one.

Passion 5 is also listed as one of our 10 favourite cafes in Seoul.

272, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9507
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#7 MYEONGDONG – COMSESTIC HEAVEN IN SEOUL

Situated in the central of the capital city, Myeong-dong is a concentrated area that bustles with life all the way till 11pm. Besides the regular street snacks, coffee joints, random apparel boutiques and lifestyle services parlours, Myeong-dong houses all the local beauty brands – Think Etude House, The Face Shop, Tony Moly, Innisfree, Holika Holika, Aritaum (for Laneige) etc - and is the to-go pad for cosmetic shopping in Seoul.

There are restaurants and local eateries along every street in Seoul, each specialising in their respective dishes. Here’s a guide on the 17 restaurants, eateries and cafes to dine at in Seoul.

#8 LOTTE WORLD – INDOOR THEME PARK, OUTDOOR AMUSEMENT PARK, HOTEL, SHOPPING MALLS UNDER ONE ROOF

A major recreation centre in Seoul, Lotte World is one fascinating place to be at. With an indoor theme park that’s the world’s largest, and outdoor amusement park, a luxury hotel, many belts of shopping malls, sport facilities, movie theatres, and a Korean folk museum. It is massive, and you can easily spend a day here. Lotte World opens all year round, even through winter.

#9 N-SEOUL TOWER AT NANSAM PARK FOR THE BEST VIEW OF SEOUL

N Seoul Tower at Nansam Park offers a bird’s eye view of Seoul. If you are planning to head there, we suggest to make a reservation for lunch at N-Grill steak restaurant – a revolving restaurant located at the top of N Seoul Tower which offers a terrific and value-for-money set lunch.

#10 EXPLORE SAMCHEONG-DONG, A QUAINT AND CHARMING AREA WITH LOTS OF ART GALLERIES, CAFES AND BOUTIQUES

Just a stone’s throw away from Gyeongbokgung is the quaint area of Samcheong-dong, where you can find several art galleries, cafes, eateries and boutiques. The National Folk Museum of Korea is also located within this neighbourhood.

#11 KOREAN BBQ PARTY ALL DAY EVERY DAY

No trip to Seoul is complete without a round of meat feast. Or many rounds, for that matter. Because it is ultra satisfying and a very quintessential Korean thing to do, and we really would not mind BBQ-ed pork belly every day if it wasn’t so fattening!

#12 MIDNIGHT SHOPPING AT DONGDAEMUN

Going to Dongdaemun – the fashion centre of Seoul – was quite an experience for me. For some reason, I have always pictured the wholesale fashion centre to be messy and disorganised – like Bangkok’s Platinum Mall, or Taipei’s Wufenpu. Instead, Dongdaenum turned out to be an area with endless trendy shopping malls with nicely decorated shops displaying arrays and arrays of the latest fashion pieces.

#13 HONGDAE – A HIPSTER NEIGHBOURHOOD IN SEOUL

We’d love to think of Hongdae as the most happening area of Seoul. In the day, you can shop your fill with all the indie boutiques and cosmetic shops; when night falls, the whole area transform to a party of street basking, bars and random dancing. If you are lucky to be there during the right period, there are occasional flea markets too.

#14 EWHA WOMEN UNIVERSITY SHOPPING

This is a shoppers’ heaven. Ladies, listen up – a massive range of fashion awaits. You can find all sorts of styles and price points here, alongside bars, restaurants, stationery shops and cosmetic boutiques. This is also the place where you scout for the best bargains; even the Korean students get dressed up here!

#15 CRAZY COSMETICS SHOPPING – YOU NAME IT, SEOUL HAS IT

Seoul is synonymous with everything beauty-related – cosmetics, skincare, eyelash extension, facial reconstruction, plastic surgery… you name it, and I am pretty sure they have it. While not everyone is game to go under the knife, we are still vain deep within us, and wherever possible, we want to look our best. Without cosmetic procedures, we can still have fun at Seoul with the endless streets and alleys of beauty offerings. Think your favourite brands like Etude House, Innisfree, Laneige, Tony Moly and The Face Shop. Well, and many more, of course.

#16 EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH SEOUL’S BEST STREET SNACKS

Well, well. What can we say? Eat your way through Seoul, of course! There will surely be something that entice – French fries dog, tornado chips, BBQ squid, meat skewers, spicy rice cakes… and the list goes on. Just remember to not wear skinny jeans.

Strolling along the streets of Seoul means feasting on Korean Street Snacks non-stop. Here are 15 Korean Street Snacks That You Must Try When in Korea.

#17 VISIT SEOUL DURING THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS PERIOD

But of course, if you are lucky enough to be at Seoul during the cherry blossoms period, you’d learn of the sheer beauty that those pretty pink flowers have to show you. Every bit stunning, and they are memories that will forever be etched in your heart.

#18 DINE AT A POJANGMACHA (ROADSIDE TENT)

Or otherwise known as roadside tents. We love to eat at a pojangmacha – small tented restaurants on wheels, or roadside street stalls – where locals go for snacks and drinks after work. You can easily find one to have Samgyeopsal, Ddeokbokki and wash it down with soju. If you are going to Namdaemun Market, there is a stretch of pojangmachas at the entrance of the market.

#19 DAY TRIP TO NAMI ISLAND

Plan an escapade to Nami Island and embrace the Korean culture and nature. Nami Island is home to several art galleries, as well as the Song Museum. There are also indoor and outdoor stages for performances, and the most iconic of all is the Metasequoia Path – one of the main filming locations for Korean Broadcasting System.

Plenty of tourists traverse the dazzling urban cityscapes that Seoul has to offer. However, a great deal of adventure lies beyond the nation’s capital, and within the rustic and beautiful countrysides of South Korea. Here are 3 adventures that you must experience in Korea.

#20 K-POP FEVER

Because what is a trip to Seoul without dancing to Girls’ Generation and G-dragon’s tracks on the streets, right? Everywhere you go, regardless of time, someone somewhere will blast K-pop songs and that is when you heck the world, tap your feet and start shaking your bombom!

#21 GANGNAM IS MORE THAN JUST OPPA GANGNAM STYLE

Psy’s Oppa Gangnam Style took the world by storm, and we are pretty certain everyone knows about Gangnam by now. Gangnam-gu – which literally means “South of the River” – is one of the twenty five gu which makes up the city of Seoul. Make a stop at Gangnam Station – the busiest station in the whole of Seoul. There, you can find hip restaurants, bars and eateries.

#22 MUKSHIDONNA TTEOKBOKKI

There are many one-pot goodness in the world – different varieties and all that – but there is nothing that has wow-ed us as much as Mukshidonna Tteokbokki Restaurant did.

We are going to have you read on, and you have to, because if you go to Seoul and you miss this, you are really missing out in life. Mukshidonna Tteokbokki Restaurant is completely our idea of comfort, and it is so affordably priced that you can eat it often.

#23 KYUNGRIDAN-GIL – A LOVELY NEIGHBOURHOOD FILLED WITH COSY CAFES AND CUTE SHOPS

Quite possibly our new favourite area in Seoul (besides Garosu-gil), Kyungridan is a up-and-coming neighbourhood filled with quaint and cosy cafes and lifestyle shops. You have to spend a day to explore this neighbourhood.

#24 GWANGJANG MARKET

Gwangjang Market is one of the largest and oldest traditional markets in South Korea. You can find many stalls selling vegetables, meat, fish, clothing, textile and kitchenware. But the highlight here is definitely the food stalls selling all kinds of Korean food. Gwangjang Market is famous for the Bindaetteok (or Mung Bean pancakes), make sure you try it when you are there.

Fans of Running Man might find Gwangjang Market very familiar (watch episode 186).

For more recommendations, read our curated food and travel guides on the best things to do, eat and see in Seoul.

Seoul is a very fascinating city with many things to do. In the day, you can go sight-seeing at palaces, visit one of the many museums, drop by N Seoul Tower for a glimpse of the city, or cafe-hop at hip areas like Garosu-gil, and Samcheong-dong. And at night, Hongdae – an area near the Hongik University known for its urban arts and indie music culture, clubs and entertainment – comes alive.

Other places like Itaewon and Gangnam have plenty of bars and clubs where party-goers can drink and dance and merry-make like there is no tomorrow. And of course, the midnight shopping at Dongdaenum Market. Seoul is truly a city that never sleeps. Here are 10 Things to do in Seoul.

Korean BBQ Dinner

The Koreans love their meat. And it is so easily available and relatively affordable. When exploring the streets of Seoul, it is no surprise to see Korean BBQ shops dotting the linear of every lane and corner. Embrace the Asian spirit of communal dining, indulge in a spread of meats of different cuts and marinate, grill your own dinner and enjoy it with the assortment of banchan (Korean side dishes) and condiments. Look out for our guide on Where to eat in Seoul as we introduce some of our favourite Korean BBQ restaurants in the city.

Spend a day at Garosu-gil

Garosu-gil, which translates to tree-lined street, is my favourite area in Seoul. It is an upscale area where you can find niche boutiques, chic cafes, fancy restaurants and trendy hair salons. Be charmed by the whole charisma of this area where every soul is well-dressed; entice your senses with the unique offerings of arts, fashion and food; spend a day here and you will want to go back to Seoul again and again.

Read our guide on 10 cafes to visit in Seoul

Make a stop at Gangnam

Psy’s Oppa Gangnam Style took the world by storm, and I am sure everyone knows about it by now. Gangnam-gu – which literally means “South of the River” – is one of the twenty five gu which makes up the city of Seoul. Make a stop at Gangnam Station – the busiest station in the whole of Seoul. There, you can find hip restaurants, bars and eateries.

Eat at a pojangmacha (roadside tent)

One of the things that I had always wanted to try prior to my trip to Seoul was to eat at a pojangmacha – small tented restaurants on wheels, or roadside street stalls – where locals go for snacks and drinks after work. While the South Korean government has been trying to close down some of the roadside tents (due to hygiene and health reasons), there are still plenty of pojangmachas around, so you can easily find one to have Samgyeopsal, Ddeokbokki and wash it down with soju. If you are going to Namdaemun Market, there is a stretch of pojangmachas at the entrance of the market.

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market

Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market – often compared to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market – is certainly one of the must-visit places when you are in Seoul. There are many stalls in the market where you can buy fresh sashimi, lobsters, crabs, prawns, live octopus, and a whole lot of other seafood which you probably have not seen before. After purchasing the seafood (make sure to bargain), go to the back of the market to find a restaurant to cook them for you in your preferred style(s).

Eat Samgyetang – Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup

Samgyetang, or Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup, is synonymous with Korea. You will be amazed by the ginseng options, but never mind that, because whatever it is, Samgyetang is a well-loved comfort food. The typical Samgyetang is served in a pot-like bowl, chock-full of chunky chicken, ginseng and other herbs. And if you did not already know, it is a meal on its own because Korean-styled glutinous ice is stuffed inside the chicken.

N Seoul Tower

N Seoul Tower at Nansam Park offers a bird’s eye view of Seoul. If you are planning to head there, we suggest to make a reservation for lunch at N-Grill steak restaurant – a revolving restaurant located at the top of N Seoul Tower which offers a terrific and value-for-money set lunch.

Cosmetic Shopping at Myeong-dong

Seoul is synonymous with everything beauty-related – cosmetics, skincare, eyelash extension, facial reconstruction, plastic surgery… you name it, and I am pretty sure they have it.

Have fun at Seoul with the endless streets and alleys of beauty offerings in the happening area of Myeong-dong. Trust me when I say that even the typical men with zero interest in masks and moisturisers will give in and reach out for that bottle of very affordable face lotion. And needless to say, Myeong-dong is a heaven for females.

Shop at Dongdaemun

Going to Dongdaemun – the fashion centre of Seoul – was quite an experience for me. For some reason, I have always pictured the wholesale fashion centre to be messy and disorganised – like Bangkok’s Platinum Mall, or Taipei’s Wufenpu. Instead, Dongdaenum turned out to be an area with endless trendy shopping malls with nicely decorated shops displaying arrays and arrays of the latest fashion pieces.

And the best part? They operate from night till 6am in the morning. We found ourselves cabbing to Dongdaemun when we were so bored at the hotel and could not get to sleep at ungodly hours. So this is what they meant by “Shopping never stops in Seoul”.

Also, look out for the roadside stalls in the area that sell yummy Korean street food. They are the perfect pitstops after shopping.

Take a tour at one of the great palaces of Seoul

South Korean has a very rich history, and for first-timers to the city, a trip would not be complete without visiting one of the five famous royal palaces in Seoul. Transport yourself back in time, and walk down the same paths that the royalties walked.

Flights to Seoul from Singapore Singapore Airlines and Korean Air are the best options for non-stop flights. Budget airlines Fly Scoot and AirAsia have stopovers at Taipei and Kuala Lumpur respectively.

Best time to visit Seoul It really depends on your objective. For those of you who are not afraid of the cold, winter in Seoul can be quite an experience. Otherwise, go during spring to catch the cherry blossom, or during autumn for the perfect weather.

Tips for Seoul Getting around the city via the Seoul Metropolitan Subway – the world’s most extensive subway system – can be quite confusing, especially for first-timers. Make sure you map out the places that you want to visit before leaving the hotel.

For more recommendations, read our guide on where to eat in Seoul.

Seoul is synonymous with everything beauty-related – cosmetics, skincare, eyelash extension, facial reconstruction, plastic surgery… you name it, and I am pretty sure they have it.

While not everyone is game to go under the knife, we are still vain deep within us, and wherever possible, we want to look our best. Without cosmetic procedures, we can still have fun at Seoul with the endless streets and alleys of beauty offerings in the happening area of Myeong-dong. Trust me when I say that even the typical men with zero interest in masks and moisturisers will give in and reach out for that bottle of very affordable face lotion. And needless to say, Myeong-dong is a heaven for females. Here is our guide to shopping in Myeong-dong, Seoul.

Situated in the central of the capital city, Myeong-dong is a concentrated area that bustles with life all the way till 11pm. Besides the regular street snacks, coffee joints, random apparel boutiques and lifestyle services parlors, Myeong-dong houses all the local beauty brands – Think Etude House, The Face Shop, Tony Moly, Innisfree, Holika Holika, Aritaum (for Laneige) etc - and is the to-go pad for cosmetic shopping in Seoul.

And if this is not mind-blowing enough, you would squeal upon knowing that there are multiple outlets per brand. Just Etude House alone, we counted 5 outlets, all a stone’s throw away from each other. And that is just what I like, because if you cannot find a particular product in the first outlet you step into, there is always a few more in another outlet – without having to walk much.

I have never seen such a beauty archipelago before, and it is no rocket science to understand why avid beauty lovers spend so many hours there. Apart from the diverse offerings and options and extremely pocket-friendly prices (Etude House is at least 50% cheaper than that of Singapore’s prices, and brands like Innisfree are only available in Korea), you would love to know that in Korea, they practice giving out freebies with purchases. They call that ‘service’, and this service include travel-sized beauty products, masks sheets and cosmetic samples. The amount of freebies is dependent on how much you spend.

After a night of shopping, what better way to retreat into the night than to sit down at one of their many coffee joints and bakeries for a drink and a slice of cake? Household names like Paris Baguette Cafe operates till 0000hrs, and they have take-out options as well.

Are you already excited about what awaits you at Myeong-dong? Well, even if you are not a fan of beauty products, it is still worth a trip to the happening pad. Pig out on street snacks or sip coffee as you people-watch!

And a little reminder for all you crazy shoppers – tax refund forms will only be given upon asking.

Words by Melody Yap, photographs by ladyironchef