Best couples hanok stay in Seoul. Nujung ~ The Historian Traveller

Last Updated on February 25, 2026 by Laura

Secretly hidden in one of the most charming alleys of Seochon, there is a little corner of paradise. A traditional, but finely renovated hanok called Nujung. In this blog, I will tell you everything about our relaxing time in what is likely one of the best couples hanok stay in Seoul.

New to South Korea travelling? 🇰🇷 Perhaps you want to add these useful readings to your list!

Stay Nujung

Best couples hanok stay in Seoul – Nujung

Stay Nujung encapsulates the soul of ancient Korean traditions into a modern comfortable space. The word “Nu-jung 樓亭” means “House-Gazebo”. Historically, Nujung Pavilions (called also as Nujeong) were wooden structures located in natural surroundings used for several purposes. Contemplating the nature, meditation and reading. The strong aesthetic component dominating this type of architecture, locates them often in stunning sceneries. This was ideal to free ones mind from the daily stress and being all in one with nature.

A venue in beautiful Nature. Source: National Library of Korea via Nujung

Nujung has created a space that catches the essence and concept of these historical pavilions into its hanok’s architectural and empirical elements. These are developed through two main focal elements: the Maru and the Cha-gyeong.

Maru 마루

Best couples hanok stay in Seoul – The *maru* at Nujung

Maru 마루 in Korean means “floor”. In traditional hanok accommodations, the maru is usually made of wooden planks laid a couple of feet from the ground. This allow air to flow freely underneath and blocks moisture from the soil. Nujung poses his maru as a central element of the hanok. An airy and spacious space allowing guests to rest and enjoy the tranquility of the hanok living out the complexities of daily life.

Cha-gyeong 차경

Cha-gyeong 차경 in Korean means “borrowed scenery”. This is an ancient concept that originally have seen the incorporation of the background landscape into the composition of a garden. In the case of traditional hanoks, the principle is incorporated into the windows and doors which function as frames that convey the scenery inside. Nujung’s large window looking into the small garden, conveys perfectly the scenery outside. This, combined with the maru, is an optimal relaxation space where to observe nature from the coziness of a heated wooden floor.

Bath tube and Bedroom

Best couples hanok stay in Seoul – Bath tube relaxation at Nujung

Nujung features also a spacious bedroom framed by a small side window on the garden. Attached to the maru, there is also a bath tub that guests can use as an additional relaxing space during their stay. Bath salts are provided complimentary to the stay.

Nujung amenities

Additional Nujung amenities are a tea set with coffee drip, postcard utensil, incense spray, electric kettle and bluetooth speaker.

Our experience at Nujung

Nujung was our very first stay in Seoul and South Korea and we couldn’t ask for a more graceful start. Unfortunately, due to the delay of our flight, and consequent late arrival in central Seoul, we couldn’t experience the hanok from the afternoon as we originally planned to do. Nevertheless, everything turned out perfectly and we loved every second of our stay.

Nujung is hidden in a small alley called Nuha-dong. This is one of those picturesque and urban rare gems that are difficult to find if you don’t know where to look. It was love at first sight. After more than 24h travelling across the world (without sleeping), opening the hanok door and being transported into a world of precious incense scent and relaxing music made me feel almost emotional of being finally there.

Nujung is a small space but it makes you feel very welcome from the first step you walk inside its lovely maru. As a couple, we loved the intimate atmosphere and felt relaxed and peaceful for the whole stay. This was exactly what we needed after our long trip. We also loved that the separation of every space is planned very careful attention in order to reflect the nature and purpose of the hanok’s pavilion concept.

I am not sure if it was because we were tired or the bed was particularly comfy. But I had the best night sleep since a long time!

Relaxing Bath

With the first lights of the morning filtering from our windows, I slowly rolled out our bed to initiate my, much awaited, relaxing morning. While Alessio preferred the cosiness of the bed, I filled us our bath tube with warm water and poured the salts. As this is quite big to fill, I decided to use this time to immerse myself into the purpose and atmosphere of Nujung. I sat down on the maru and enjoyed some time with myself while looking at the small garden. With my surprise, there were a lot of butterflies populating a very small corner of the yard and I enjoyed seeing their dancings around the plants.

Sitting in my warm bath for about 20 mins is something I am not generally used to. My life is often full of rushed moments and it’s a rare privilege to have some time for myself in between job and mum life. But someone said that warm salt bath removes negative energy from your aura. So, fingers crossed that my bad energy was flushed away down the drain too!

Breakfast

Part of the Nujung experience, breakfast becomes a ritual too. Indeed, you can choose to have this delivered from their partners, Edition Denmark (a small aesthetic cafe’ in Seochon) directly to your hanok on the day of arrival. We found our lovely breakfast in the fridge and tea space. This included, a selection of tea and coffee, granola, fresh yoghurt and honey, cookie and some delicious Danish crips made of cereals (I think).

The hanok comes furnished with a lovely traditional tea set and a coffee drip that one can use to prepare breakfast. Of course, the tea set comes accompanied by a series of instructions for an appropriate “tea ritual” to compliment the slow morning.

We really enjoyed the slow preparation of the breakfast and tea ritual. This made us appreciate every element on our table. As per tradition, we served our breakfast rigorously in the Soban 소반 that was complimenting the maru near the window. I felt almost transported back in time. If not that I was serving also some danish cookies together with our tea.

Nujung. One of best couples hanok stay in Seoul

We really loved our time in Nujung. It really gave us the time to fully recharge after our long trip. Moreover, we had the chance to detach ourselves from our busy lives to find a moment of quiet and relaxation together as a couple. Nujung is the perfect place for a couple who wants to reconnect away from everyday life and stresses. Of course, Nujung is also perfect for a relaxing solo stay. Nevertheless, as a couple who has a very busy work and family life, we found this stay refreshing and also romantic.

Video of our stay at Nujung

If you want to see a video of our stay at Nujung. I recently published a reel that resume our lovely stay! See it below!

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Un post condiviso da Dr Laura Di Stefano (@thehistoriantraveller)

How to book your stay at Nujung with Stayfolio

Nujung is available exclusively via Stayfolio. This is a platform with an incredible portfolio of carefully curated and unique stays. These properties share a common and defined sense of aesthetic that is combined with promotion of local culture.

This is something I really liked of the Stayfolio’s manifesto which focuses on small, local owners rather than big, corporate hotel chains. Indeed each of these accommodations are full of character, history and local culture.

Booking Nujung with Stayfolio

You can book Nujung via Stayfolio here. Members who book their stays at Stayfolio can unlock also exclusive discounts, hidden properties and before release access to exclusive properties in all the destinations curated by the platform.

Please note that after booking, the check-in instructions for each place will be emailed to you on the day of your arrival.

Rates for Nujung start at $196 per night.

Practical information

Getting to Nujung from the Incheon Airport

Nujung is located in Nuha-dong 155-4, Jongno-gu, Seoul. This is a small alley that is reachable only on feet. Therefore, if you are planning to drive and need a parking, please get in touch with the Stayfolio team and they will give you some options.

As the alley is reachable only on feet, you’ll need to walk a little bit if you are coming with public transport.

Arex + Subway or Bus

If you are travelling from the Incheon Airport (like we did) the most convenient way to reach Nujung is by taking the Arex from your terminal. We took the express Arex from terminal 1 to Seoul Station. From there, you have two options: Taking the subway Line 4, change at Chungmuro Station with Line 3 and get off at Gyeonbokgung Station. From there is a 13 mins walk.

The second option is taking the bus 606 and get off at Sajikdan Altar. From there walk 13 mins.

By taxi

A third possible option is by taxi. This in the end is what we used from the Seoul Station. Indeed, the trip with Arex was very comfortable but once at the station, we realised that with all those luggage public transport wasn’t the best choice. So we opted to go for a taxi. We paid around 12,000 won to get to the hanok from the central station.

If you are planning a trip to South Korea, I do recommend checking my article about the best app to download for your trip as these will be lifesavers in situations like the above! In fact, it was very easy to grab a taxi with Kakao T.

Explore the area: Seochon

Seochon is one of the oldest neighbourhood in the northeast area of Seoul. It’s located just in the west side of the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace. The neighbourhood is divided as well into 15 smaller areas called “Dong”. Seochon is made of a series of maze-like alleys. There are more than 600 historically protected hanoks that makes this area of Seoul one of the most picturesque neighbourhood where to walk around. I have to say I really fell in love with Seochon. I could easily spent my whole stay in Seoul just there.

What to see in Seochon

Seochon is home of numerous aesthetic cafes, lovely restaurants and small independent shops. I really loved also the Stayfolio shop, Makefolio, at just five minutes walk from the hanok. The close proximity to Gyeongbokgung Palace makes it also an ideal place to explore the historical palace. Moreover, it’s a great, less crowded, alternative to the Bukchon Hanok Village thanks to its very photogenic hanok alleys. Furthermore, you can also visit some historical houses such as Yi Sang-beom’s House and the 19th-century Sangchonjae Hanok House. Seochon is also home of the historical Tongin Market, which is an excellent alternative to the more crowded Gwangjang Market.