Skip to main content

[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol.16 Analysis of Seoul Airbnb Quality and Satisfaction Through Customer Reviews

 What Do Airbnb Guests Really Think About Staying in Seoul?

As travel continues to rebound, Seoul’s Airbnb scene is booming—and evolving. But what do guests really value? Where do they prefer to stay, and what makes or breaks their experience?

Here are the key insights shaping today’s Airbnb landscape in Seoul:


📈 A Rapidly Growing Market

  • Airbnb listings in Seoul surged 45% year-over-year, nearing full recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

  • Growth isn’t limited to tourist hotspots. Less-traveled districts like Dobong-gu and Geumcheon-gu saw the highest increases in listings, signaling wider interest across the city.



🌍 Who’s Booking and Where They’re Staying

  • Guests came from over 120 countries—with Koreans, Americans, and Chinese leading the way.

  • Foreign tourists favor central districts like Myeong-dong and Hongdae.

  • Local guests tend to book outside tourist hubs, suggesting different travel purposes such as business trips or personal gatherings.



💬 What Do Guests Care Most About?

Across thousands of reviews, these factors stood out:

  • 🧼 Cleanliness ranked as the most critical factor in overall satisfaction.

  • 💰 Value for money and 📋 Accuracy (how well listings match reality) also heavily influenced guest ratings.

  • 📍 Surprisingly, location was the least important factor after the stay—what happens inside matters more than what’s nearby.



🌐 Locals vs. Foreigners: Different Priorities

  • Local guests focus on interior details: facilities, amenities, and atmosphere.

  • Foreign guests emphasize cultural immersion, host communication, and proximity to attractions.

  • This highlights the need for personalized approaches depending on guest background.


🚀 The Road Ahead

As Seoul’s Airbnb ecosystem matures, quality will be key to sustainable growth—especially with increasing inbound tourism. Improving service standards, especially in communication and cleanliness, is essential to make every guest stay memorable.


Want to see which districts are rising fast or where satisfaction scores are highest?
📲 Visit Yanolja Research website for in-depth insights and interactive data.

Yanolja Research Insights Vol.16


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

📢Yanolja Research Giveaway🎉

📢Yanolja Research Giveaway🎉 We are Yanolja Research , Korea’s first private research institute dedicated to travel and tourism studies. We publish Insights (monthly) and the Quarterly Trends in Korea’s Lodging Industry , along with occasional Briefs and Research Reports . By following Yanolja Research on social media, you will be among the first to receive notice of new publications, as well as updates when summary posts or video features based on our reports are released. 📅 Event Period September 12, 2025 (Fri) – October 12, 2025 (Sun) KST 🏆 Winner Announcement Late October (winners will be notified individually) 📌 How to Join 1. Follow Yanolja Research across our social media channels  (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, X, YouTube, Blogger). – The more channels you follow, the greater your chances of winning. 2. Post your quiz answer in the comments of the event post on each platform. 3. Complete the Google Form with the platforms you follow, your account ID, and the...

[Yanolja Research Brief] Vol.5 Korea's Inbound and Outbound Tourism Performance in 2024

Korea’s Tourism Landscape in 2024: Key Highlights 2024 marked a dynamic year for Korea’s tourism industry, with both inbound and outbound travel showing strong signs of recovery. Explore the main trends shaping the sector and discover why now is a pivotal moment for Korea’s travel market. Inbound Tourism: Visitor Numbers Surge, Revenue Lags Visitor Recovery Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels Over 16.3 million foreign tourists visited Korea in 2024, reaching 93.5% of the 2019 record and rising 48.4% from the previous year. Asian travelers made up nearly 79% of all visitors, though full recovery from this region remains just out of reach. Diverse Growth Across Regions Arrivals from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Oceania exceeded 2019 levels, while the Middle East saw a minor dip. Tourism Revenue Stagnates Despite the influx of visitors, tourism income reached only $16.45 billion-just 80% of the 2019 figure. Visitors are Flooding into Korea—But Where’s the Money? Outbound Travel: Koreans Travel...

[Yanolja Research Q2 2025 Quarterly Trends in the Korea Lodging Industry] Luxury Hotels Down, Motels on the Rise?

Luxury Slips, Budget Stays Bounce Back According to Yanolja Research’s Q2 2025 Korea Lodging Industry Report, the domestic lodging market demonstrated a pronounced polarization. While the luxury segment recorded sharp declines , budget-friendly accommodations maintained resilience and even expanded their presence . So, what’s behind this contrast? Let’s take a closer look. Sharp Declines in Luxury Hotels and Resorts The luxury sector experienced significant contraction. In Q2 2025, five-star hotels reported a 23% decline in RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) compared with Q2 2024, while resorts recorded a 19% drop. This downturn reflects two key dynamics: prolonged economic stagnation that has weakened consumer sentiment, and the resurgence of outbound travel , which has redirected demand away from domestic luxury accommodations. In other words, consumers who had previously spent on high-end domestic stays have shifted their spending overseas. Value Strikes Back: Motels and Pensions ...