RYSE Hotel, Seoul
An art-driven lifestyle hotel where industrial architecture, contemporary design, and Hongdae’s creative energy collide.
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● One of Seoul’s most design-forward hotels, perfectly capturing the creative spirit of Hongdae.
● Bold interiors by Michaelis Boyd that combine raw materials with vibrant colours and contemporary art.
● A genuine cultural hub where hotel, gallery, co-working space, music venue, and creative community come together.
Inspired by Seoul’s Creative District
Located in the heart of Hongdae, Seoul’s most artistic and youthful neighbourhood, RYSE Hotel embraces the energy that surrounds it. Home to independent galleries, music venues, fashion labels, cafés, and Hongik University, the district has long been the city’s creative epicentre. Rather than simply reflecting its location, RYSE actively participates in it, positioning itself as a meeting place for artists, designers, musicians, photographers, and travellers. The result feels less like a conventional hotel and more like a constantly evolving creative platform.
Industrial Design with Artistic Expression
Designed by London-based Michaelis Boyd in collaboration with Korean studio Integ and architect Steven Song, the interiors balance industrial architecture with unexpected warmth and colour. Raw concrete walls, exposed structural elements, polished pink resin floors, brass accents, timber seating, velvet curtains, handwoven rugs, and custom furniture create spaces that feel simultaneously unfinished and luxurious. Throughout the hotel, contemporary artworks, installations, and graphic interventions transform the interiors into an ever-changing gallery. Large windows flood the public spaces with natural light while maintaining a constant visual connection with the vibrant streets below.
Rooms Designed for Creatives
The guestrooms continue the hotel’s contemporary design language while introducing a calmer atmosphere. Sliding partitions replace traditional room layouts, creating flexible living spaces finished with terrazzo, polished tiles, soft natural colours, and bespoke furniture. Custom headboards, carefully curated artwork, and locally inspired design details reinforce the connection to Seoul’s creative culture. The signature Artist Suites feature original works by contemporary Korean and international artists, while the spacious Executive Producer Suite offers panoramic city views alongside interiors designed for entertaining, working, or simply enjoying the skyline.
More Than a Hotel
RYSE deliberately blurs the boundaries between hospitality and culture. The open lobby functions as Hongdae’s communal living room, regularly hosting exhibitions, pop-up installations, workshops, and creative collaborations. Flexible lounges encourage working, meeting, and socialising, while the hotel’s bookstore offers a carefully curated collection of design books, niche magazines, photography publications, and vinyl records. The atmosphere changes constantly, making every visit feel slightly different from the last.
Food, Music and Social Energy
Dining plays an equally important role. Long Chim, created by acclaimed Australian chef David Thompson, serves bold Bangkok street food within dramatic industrial surroundings, while Tartine Café provides an informal daytime meeting place overlooking the neighbourhood. High above the city, the Side Note Club combines rooftop views, an impressive vinyl collection, inventive cocktails, and regular music events, creating one of Hongdae’s most vibrant social destinations.
Why it Works
RYSE Hotel perfectly captures the creative identity of modern Seoul. Industrial yet warm, artistic yet highly functional, it brings together architecture, contemporary art, music, design, and hospitality in a way few hotels achieve. Rather than simply offering a place to stay, RYSE immerses guests in the city’s creative culture, making it one of Asia’s most exciting lifestyle hotels.
