24 Guesthouse Seoul City Hall

The staff were decent and let us leave our luggage in the lobby before check-in and after checkout. Still, I'd strongly suggest looking elsewhere unless all you need is the bare minimum for sleeping and don't mind dirt. The room didn't seem to have been cleaned before we arrived. The walls were dirty, and I couldn't tell if the sheets had been washed. There was even a fake eyelash by the bedside. The bathrooms in the rooms are separated by glass walls and were okay, but the lobby bathroom smelled bad and didn't feel clean. The place also felt poorly maintained. Some outlets were coming out of the walls, and the bed frames were falling apart. I'm surprised by the positive reviews in the lobby and on Google Maps, but I guess people see things differently.

The staff tried to help as best they could, though I wouldn't expect much. The location is excellent, just outside the metro and next to Deoksugung Palace. The rooms are small, as expected, but in their current condition they don't feel clean and badly need a makeover. The AC only has a cold setting, and showers leave the rooms very humid. It was okay for a night or two to sleep and shower downtown, but I wouldn't stay longer.

The fridge smelled rotten and hadn't been cleaned. I nearly threw up. There was also a can of roach spray left casually in the room. It felt so uncomfortable and unsafe that I wanted to leave, but I couldn't explain why to the staff because they'd all gone by 6pm. The room was tiny, with taped-over windows. The TV didn't work, and the bath towels were just big kitchen towels. Two workers sat clicking away at their computers, then left by 6pm. It seemed as if they were waiting for their only booking to arrive before heading out. I have never felt this uncomfortable somewhere. Don't book this place.

The location is right beside the Deokguksung palace entrance and exit 1 of city hall station, though it might be tricky to find at night. The bunk room is very small, and the walls have water stains, but the sheets looked fine. The shared toilet situation at night isn't great because of the glass door. I did like having a pantry and a water dispenser.