Hotel Onggi

There are plenty of useful things here: the room was clean, the air conditioning cooled well, the window opened for fresh air, WiFi was fast, and the TV screen was large. The shower had strong hot water, with its area separated from the toilet. Toothbrushes and other amenities were provided, along with a full-size fridge. The hotel is at the end of "Golden Street," near shopping and food, and after checkout you can store luggage yourself at reception for free. Still, I'd probably book somewhere else next time. The room had an unpleasant smell that didn't seem like sewer odor or smoke. It got stronger with the air conditioning and bathroom exhaust. A Naver review suggested it may come from the disinfectant, which seems possible since I could smell it when the elevator reached the 6th floor. The two bathroom exhaust fans were so loud we wanted to switch them off, but the lights and both fans share one switch. There's no chain lock on the room door either, though I improvised one with the hangers. Housekeeping doesn't come daily unless you ask the front desk, so towels aren't changed and trash isn't emptied otherwise. We had only four hand towels for bathing and handwashing, which barely seems enough for one person, let alone two.

The staff were incredibly kind, and I'd happily stay here again. It's also well connected to sights outside the city and to the train station, handy if you're coming from Seoul or continuing on to Busan or Daegu. I was pleasantly surprised by how spotless the room was and how much it came with: a heated toilet seat with built-in bidet, Smart TV with Netflix and Disney+, vanity set, slippers, robes, and a minibar. The bed was huge and comfortable, and the view was a nice extra.

Hotel Onggi made it easy to get around Gyeongju, with a central spot close to the main attractions. The building is modern and very technology-focused, and getting in was automated and straightforward. After a day out, the large bed and incredibly comfortable pillows made for a great night's sleep. The bathroom was spacious, spotless, and stocked with quality products, including lotions and other amenities. The room also had a large refrigerator, a modern TV with Netflix and other apps already installed, and fast, stable Wi-Fi. Everything felt tidy and well organized, right down to the details. It was a comfortable, convenient stay, and I'd highly recommend Hotel Onggi.

The Family Suite gave us a breathtaking view of Daereungwon, Gyeongju's representative landmark, through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Having that in sight made the stay feel special. The suite can sleep up to 10, but the staff kindly offered us an additional room because there might not be enough bathrooms. I was touched by their thoughtfulness and friendly service. There was also a convenience store on the first floor, which came in handy. We got to try the Korean-style beef soup with rice, a breakfast option available starting in April. It cost a reasonable 8,000 won and tasted great, though it might be a little spicy for foreign tourists. Being able to have a filling meal at that price felt like a real plus, especially when nearby restaurants charge around 10,000 to 20,000 won. The location, service, and value all made for a satisfying stay.