HOTEL Yeogiuhtte Gwangju Station

We had no trouble getting an early check-in when we arrived, and there was no extra charge. The staff were great. The room itself was spacious, quiet, modern, and really clean, with a cozy feel. They'd also thought of lots of useful little things, from sealed toothbrushes and toothpaste to shaving foam, a razor, hair wax, and other products.

We were really impressed during our December stay. The room had a huge TV with streaming, plus a kettle, fridge, dust extractor, and dryer. The bathroom had a bathtub and a good toilet. Breakfast was included, though get there early because it gets cleared away promptly. There’s free laundry, a microwave and water dispenser on each floor, and coffee available any time, including in the lobby. GS25, 7-Eleven, and Emmart24 are just a 2-4 minute walk away.

Smoking is officially banned, but after I complained about the cigarette smell, staff told me the two rooms at each end of the fifth floor and the two at each end of the second floor are unofficial smoking areas. The smell comes straight into the bathroom of the room next door. It felt like chemical warfare. There seem to have been complaints about smoking before, yet nothing appears to change. The response to my complaint made no sense: no apology, just excuses. I don't know if there have been more than one or two complaints, but the way mine was handled showed no common sense and no effort to improve. If you don't want to regret staying here, make sure you see this.

The facilities were pretty good, and all the drinks were free. A weekday family room at 50,000 won seemed like fair value, though it felt a little cramped. It was clean and nice.