Apollo Guesthouse

We were there for a few days while visiting South Korea. It's about a five-minute walk to the local station, which takes you to the main places worth visiting. Check-in was easy and the staff were polite. There's no elevator, so luggage has to go up the stairs. We'd booked a twin room but got bunk beds instead, though it wasn't a big deal. The room did the job, with a clothes rail and TV that we never used. The bathroom was fine, and the shower got very hot. Keep the door shut during and after showering because ventilation is seriously poor. Shampoo, shower gel, and a towel were provided. Our room was quiet, so sleeping was easy. AC was there too, but we didn't use it. The room looked a little dated, probably from moisture building up over time, with ceiling patches and peeling paint. Drinking water by reception made it easy to refill our bottle before heading out. The mattress was really thin, though the WiFi was a definite plus. If you like walking, places are within a 30-minute to an hour walk. There are lots of restaurants nearby too, so you won't go hungry, unless you only use Apple Pay.

For two weeks in Seoul, this was the best value I found. The staff are lovely and the guesthouse is great. The kitchen could use a little improvement, but I’d still recommend staying here.

I stayed in a private room with its own bathroom. The room was a decent size, bright, and reasonably priced, and the Wi-Fi worked well. That’s why I gave it two stars, though I was relieved my stay was only a few days while waiting for my flight. There were bugs and mosquitoes constantly, which seemed connected to the dampness. The room smelled strongly musty, and they’d even left the AC running. There was mold on the ceiling, the shower door wouldn’t shut, the sink wouldn’t drain, and the shower head was broken. These weren’t minor things they might have missed. They rented the room out as it was. The bed was so hard it felt like a box spring with cardboard on top. A pretty moon curtain covered the wall behind the window, and it looked like insects had landed on the moon too. With the bugs around, I was nervous about turning off the lights during all four days.

I’ve worked at guesthouses in Seoul and stayed in plenty while doing research, and Apollo is easily the best one I’ve been to in ten years. The staff, atmosphere, and other guests all make it feel welcoming. It’s also in a great area for getting around Seoul. Clean, fun, and safe. Five stars from me.