Central Seven Hotel by Kwon Busan Seomyeon

Getting around is easy, with the subway and bus station just steps away. I stayed here for a BTS concert in Busan, and the stadium was about 15 minutes away. The staff were friendly and spoke English very well. I had a great stay and would recommend it.

The smell was the first thing that made the stay difficult. Both the room and hallways had a strange odor, sour but also sweet, and it was hard to breathe with it. I couldn't tell whether chemicals were involved. The bathroom smelled awful even before we used it. I know Busan can have a seafood smell because of the fishing industry, but this was nothing like that. The nighttime noises added to the unease. The AC would switch on suddenly for a few seconds and shut off, and there was another strange sound, almost like whistling or wind, though it wasn't windy outside. The walls seemed thin, and every bang or sound had us checking that the door was closed. We didn't feel very safe. The room itself was in terrible shape. It looked old and worn down. Maybe the hotel is trying to keep the old Ibis look, but so much needs work. The curtains were stained, the walls dirty, and the wallpaper looked ready to peel off. The shower was disgusting, the counter dirty, and the bedside table hadn't been wiped either. The bedsheets had holes, and I agree with another review that housekeeping seemed lazy. The basic room equipment didn't work properly, either. The do not disturb button wouldn't stay on, and housekeeping came in while we were out even though we didn't want them in the room. The safe wouldn't lock properly, and the AC turned on by itself. I know this isn't a modern or luxury hotel, but still. This was my first hotel in Busan, and it was a horrible experience. It's not worth the price, and I would never stay again. The area feels very local and is far from tourist spots like the beach, but even if you want a local area, I'd choose another hotel.

The location makes getting around simple, with public transit nearby, traditional markets close enough to explore, and plenty of good local restaurants. After more than half my life traveling for work, I can say this hotel is a strong value and a comfortable, relaxing place to stay in Korea. I'd happily come back.

We were here for nearly a week, and the convenience store downstairs came in handy. The staff at reception were nice, and the housekeeper on the 9th floor was especially thoughtful, greeting us with a smile and keeping the room spotless. She helped make our stay comfortable.