123 Hostel

The rooftop is lovely, and the staff were really nice. The TV is a smart TV, so I watched Netflix on my own account. There’s also a shared kitchen, which was fine for a hostel, and laundry facilities, though I didn’t get to use them. My room was big enough for one person and fairly clean, but there were stains on the wall. The air conditioning wasn’t running in winter, and the room got warm, so I had to crack the window to sleep comfortably. The bathroom was just okay. The heater was inconsistent, and the water was really cold for most of my stay. They had shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel, but only hair towels, no bath towels. Bring a universal adapter or extension cord. They sell one adapter for 5,000 KRW, but don’t lend them out or provide one free, which seemed unusual compared with other hostels. The location is about a 5-8 minute walk from Myeongdong Bus and Subway Station, with a GS25 right in front of the building. But the walk from Namsan 3 Bus Station is seriously steep. I had to take one suitcase down, then go back for the other because I couldn’t manage both going up that hill. I wouldn’t come from that bus station with two bags again. The elevator only starts on the second floor, not in the lobby. I wouldn’t choose this hostel again if travelling alone, though I might stay here with friends or family.

We were a family of five, three adults and two kids, and the family room had plenty of space, with two toilets and three shower areas. There’s a laundry area and a convenience store right beside it, and getting around was easy. Myeongdong street is only a few minutes away. We’d definitely stay again.

The noise made it hard to feel at peace, and the service was extremely poor. The room was tiny and uncomfortable, and the photos didn’t make the actual details clear. This was my seventh trip to South Korea, and the worst hotel I’ve stayed in. I’ll never stay here again. Sadly, other reviews seem to describe the same things I’m experiencing.

The bed was so hard I could feel the metal frame beneath it, and it didn’t match what was shown or described online. I was also treated rudely when I couldn’t unlock the door. I’d just arrived and hadn’t memorized the instructions, but instead of helping, a staff member raised their voice at me. That was unprofessional and unacceptable in hospitality. This was during my stay at 123 Hostel from 16-21/11/2025, and the experience affected my whole visit. I hope management takes these problems seriously, because this wasn’t good service at all. Thank you.