Hilton Gyeongju

The grounds were lovely for a walk morning or evening, and felt like a relaxing place for families. I had a few small quibbles: no tissue box in the room, the toilet paper holder could be better placed, and the location may not suit anyone wanting to stay near the main tourist area. Even so, I would absolutely come back. My one-night stay at Hilton Gyeongju was really relaxing and enjoyable. As a Diamond member I got breakfast, Executive Lounge and fitness center access, a welcome box of chocolates 🍫, and an upgrade to a suite. The suite was clean, modern, comfortable, and in perfect condition. The hotel looks elegant and refreshed after its renovation, a big change from a few years ago. Cocktail time in the Executive Lounge had enough variety to make a full dinner, and breakfast had lots of tasty choices, including local Hwangnam bread. The coffee was excellent too.

The lobby lounge at Hilton GeongJu serves a Trump cheeseburger set. President Trump stayed at Hilton GeongJu during APEC in Korea. It’s November, and the trees turning red and yellow in autumn make an amazing view. Visit, you won't regret it.

The price was far too high for what felt like a run-down, poorly cared-for hotel. We paid around €300 a night for a lake-view room, and rates can be even higher, yet it was nowhere near a five-star experience. The bathroom products, including shampoo and conditioner, were low quality too. Our balcony walls had mold, and the shower flooded the bathroom floor every time. They supplied an old plastic mat instead of fixing the problem properly, which was unpleasant. The soundproofing was terrible, so noises from surrounding rooms came through. The hotel is huge, ugly, and has no charm or cozy feel. We were very disappointed and wouldn't recommend it.

I felt uneasy around the staff. They did their jobs, but came across as cold, with little warmth or personality, especially some of the senior people. There was hardly any eye contact, smiling, or greeting. More friendly acknowledgments would make a real difference. As a Gold and Diamond member, I didn't feel treated as anyone special. The breakfast team seemed average, a bit disorganized and lacking a sense of order. Some looked busy but not coordinated, and the coffee service was poor. The team felt stiff and stressed, as if training was lacking. This Hilton franchise felt mid quality, about 3.5 stars, and quite different from top-tier Hilton properties.