I stayed in a stand-alone suite on a busy bridge in Seoul. It was pricier than a 5-star hotel and noisy, but views of the river were stunning.

A café turned hotel suite

The project is a collaboration between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Airbnb to boost tourism — with the city overseeing the property and Airbnb handling reservations. I was offered a free night’s stay before the property opened to the general public.

Sky Suite occupies a former café space on Hangang Bridge, one of the river’s 32 bridges. It’s part of the city’s plan to revitalize the river area.

While the café was popular with locals and tourists, it closed during the pandemic. Its closure went largely unnoticed until the new bridge hotel was announced, sparking nostalgia among those who remembered it.

Yun Ji Yong, manager of the Future Hangang Project Headquarters at Seoul’s city government, told me that planners were inspired by Amsterdam’s Faralda Crane Hotel, referring to the crane tower from a defunct shipyard that was transformed into a unique accommodation.

“We wanted to create a landmark that would showcase the beauty of Seoul and the Han River to both locals and tourists,” Yun said.

Kim Jong Seok, the architect from COOM Partners who designed Sky Suite, explained that the design concept was meant to embody the river.

“For the exterior, we used metal horizontal louvers to express the flow of the Han River in lines, while making the building appear as a single mass, giving it an identity as a space of rest between the complex Seoul cityscape and the Han River,” Kim said.

Check-in surrounded by car fumes

As a Seoul-based freelance journalist, I accepted the offer for a free preview the night before bookings opened. Getting there was a bit of a trek — a 20-minute walk from Yongsan subway station. If arriving from Incheon International Airport, the direct 6001 bus takes just over an hour and stops by the north end of Hangang Bridge — right by the hotel suite.

Surrounded by multiple lanes of chaotic traffic, this was not my idea of luxury.

The suite sits on a tower-like structure on the bridge with an elevator. Up leads to the room, down to the riverside.

There was a small kitchenette and several large steps leading to the open-plan bedroom. The absence of a door between levels created a loft-like feel.

The bathroom by the bed featured a tiled bath with a window overlooking the city. Despite what seemed to be one-way glass, I heeded the advice to lower the blind.

Tucked in the corner was the toilet, featuring an electric bidet.

As night fell, the true magic revealed itself. The endless stream of vehicles transformed into mesmerizing ribbons of light. I sipped wine, played jazz, and gazed at the glittering, almost hypnotic cityscape

The chaos outside became an urban ballet. I felt oddly at peace in this very intimate space.

At the same time, I also felt a little exposed in my bathrobe, staring outside the window.

I fell asleep, the traffic acting like ASMR.

It was a unique experience, but it comes at a premium price

The views are stunning, and I surprisingly enjoyed the urban symphony of traffic below. It’s not luxury in the traditional sense, but it’s unlike anywhere I’ve stayed before.

For me, the novelty of sleeping above one of Seoul’s busiest bridges captures the city’s energy in an unexpected way.

But don’t expect room service or nearby amenities. This is more about the experience and the views than traditional hotel comforts.

Locals might see it as nothing more than an expensive gimmick on their mundane commute, although tourists with extra cash to spare would get something unique.

Light sleepers should make sure not to forget earplugs.