Seoul Private House or Hotel for Groups?

A private house in Seoul suits most families and groups better than several hotel rooms, because everyone shares one space. This is true for groups of about four to ten people, who want to eat, rest and talk together. A hotel is still the better choice if you want daily cleaning, breakfast or a pool. This guide explains the difference, so your group can choose with clear expectations.

I'm Jay, your host at Leejae. I am an architect, and I designed Leejae as a modern private house beside the Seoul City Wall near Gwanghuimun Gate. I built it for families and groups who want to stay together.

Is a private house or a hotel better for a group in Seoul?

A private house suits a group that wants time together, while a hotel suits a group that wants services. The main difference is not the beds. The difference is the space between the beds.

In a hotel, a group of six may need two or three rooms. Each room has beds and a bathroom, but there is no shared space. At night, everyone goes back to their own room.

In a private house, the group shares one kitchen, one table and one place to rest. Families travelling with children tell me this is the main reason they choose a house. Many guests say it feels like a home, not a hotel.

• Choose a private house if: you want to eat together, cook simple meals and spend evenings as one group.
• Choose a hotel if: you want daily cleaning, breakfast, a front desk, or facilities such as a pool.

What does a shared house give a group that hotel rooms do not?

A shared house gives your group a living space, a kitchen and a table where everyone can be together. Hotel rooms rarely have all three.

At Leejae, HOUSE1 has a living space where your group can eat and rest together. It has a full kitchen with an induction hob, a rice cooker and a full set of cookware. The dining table seats six to seven people. I made the table by hand.

This matters most for families. Parents can cook a simple dinner for the children. The children can go to bed early in the next room. The adults can then stay at the table and talk.

Many of my guests spend their evenings the same way. They shop in Dongdaemun, walk back to the house, and share fried chicken at the table. Some groups watch a film together in Room A, which has a 100-inch projector. Others simply stay at the table and talk late into the night.

The walk back is short. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is about a five-minute walk from Leejae. DDP is next to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, and the Dongdaemun shopping malls are within walking distance.

The last part of the walk is a car-free path beside the Hanyangdoseong wall. The path is about three metres wide and only for people on foot. Cars use the road on the other side of the wall. So the house stays quiet at night, even after a busy evening in Dongdaemun.

Can everyone still have privacy in one house?

Yes. At Leejae, people sleep in separate bedrooms, and larger groups can use two separate houses. Sharing a house does not mean sharing one room.

HOUSE1 is 56 square metres, with three separate bedrooms. It sleeps up to seven guests with an extra mattress. It is most comfortable for four to five. Room C has a large window that looks out on the Hanyangdoseong wall and pine trees. It is a good room for anyone who wants quiet time.

For larger groups, the ENTIRE HOUSE combines HOUSE1 and HOUSE2. HOUSE1 and HOUSE2 have their own front doors, about five steps apart, with no connection inside. I designed it this way on purpose. A group of six can stay in HOUSE1, and two or three people can stay in HOUSE2. Each part keeps its own privacy. When it is time to eat, everyone gathers at one table.

This layout suits families travelling with grandparents. HOUSE1 is on the ground floor with no steps at the entrance, which helps older guests. HOUSE2 has a loft reached by a steep wooden ladder. The loft is not suitable for people with knee or hip problems, so grandparents should sleep in HOUSE1 or in the HOUSE2 twin room. The layout also suits groups of friends where some people go to bed early. The ENTIRE HOUSE is 83 square metres, with two bathrooms and two kitchens. It sleeps up to ten adults, or eleven guests when children are included. You can see the layout on the ENTIRE HOUSE page.

What is different from a hotel when you stay in a private house?

A private house has no front desk, daily cleaning or breakfast, so your group looks after the house. Guests who have only stayed in hotels often ask me about this first.

• Cleaning and towels: There is no daily cleaning or towel change during your stay. HOUSE1 has a washer and a dryer, so your group can wash towels and clothes yourselves.
• Check-in and check-out: Check-in is self check-in from 5 PM. Check-out is at 11 AM.
• Luggage: Leejae offers free luggage storage from 11:30 AM to 4 PM for all guests.
• Help: Instead of calling a front desk, you message me. My average reply time is within 30 minutes.
• Bathroom: Each house has one Korean wet bathroom (a bathroom where the shower is open to the room, with no separate shower booth).

One bathroom for a group needs a little planning in the morning. In return, your group has a whole home to itself, with its own kitchen and table. If your group needs two bathrooms, the ENTIRE HOUSE has two. You can read how the wet bathroom works at Leejae before you arrive.

When is a hotel the better choice?

A hotel is the better choice if daily services or hotel facilities matter more to your group than shared space. I tell guests this honestly before they book.

• You want your room cleaned every day.
• You want breakfast served each morning.
• You want to use a pool, a gym or other hotel facilities.

A private house cannot offer these. If they are important to you, a hotel will suit your trip better.

The right choice can also change when your group changes. One group of three stayed in a hotel at the start of their trip. The next day, more friends joined them, and they moved to Leejae. They told me that in the hotel, everyone went to their own room at night. At Leejae, they talked together every night. They also said each person could still have time alone in their own room.

Frequently asked questions

Can a group of 10 stay together in Seoul without booking several hotel rooms?

Yes. A private house lets a large group stay under one roof. At Leejae, the ENTIRE HOUSE sleeps up to ten adults, or eleven guests when children are included. It has two front doors, two bathrooms and two kitchens.

Is there daily cleaning or a towel change at Leejae?

No. There is no daily cleaning or towel change during your stay. HOUSE1 has a washer and a dryer, and HOUSE2 has a washer and a drying rack. Your group can wash towels and clothes whenever you need.

Can we cook meals in a private house in Seoul?

Yes, many private houses have a kitchen. At Leejae, HOUSE1 has a full kitchen with a rice cooker and cookware. HOUSE2 has a small kitchen with an induction hob and a toaster. A GS25 convenience store is a one-minute walk from the house.

Who do we contact if something goes wrong, without a front desk?

You contact the host directly. At Leejae, you can message me by email, KakaoTalk, WhatsApp, LINE or Instagram. My average reply time is within 30 minutes.

If you are still deciding which part of the house fits your group, read Leejae's house options. For room layouts by group size, see our guide to family and group stays.

You can check availability for your dates; final availability, prices and reservations are confirmed on the booking platform.