Beyond Residence Jongno

The location worked really well for getting around: three subway lines are within walking distance, and CU and 7-Eleven are close by for snacks or supplies. Towels, tissues, and plastic bags were easy to pick up at reception. For the price, it’s practical if you’ll spend most of your time out and don’t mind cramped quarters. The room was compact but functional, with space to tuck luggage under the bed. Still, moving around and unpacking was awkward. The washroom was tiny, and there’s no divider between the shower and toilet, so water splashes around. We asked to check in at 1:00 PM after an early flight, but the room wasn’t ready and we waited about an hour. We got in at 1:50 PM, which I appreciated, but were still charged for two hours of early check-in, including the hour we spent waiting. The fee would have made more sense if it reflected when we actually got access.

I really enjoyed staying here. The staff were kind and helped lift our luggage at check-in, and the room had useful things like a fridge, microwave, and wastafel. There’s a water dispenser on our floor, a private bathroom that wasn’t too small, and I managed to do laundry twice. Detergent was available to buy at reception, though reception was unmanned most of the time. The building has no elevator, so hauling my 30kgs bag down from the 3rd floor at 4am for checkout was quite a challenge. Still, the location was great, right in central Seoul, with a subway entrance and bus stop just steps away. There’s a road full of shops and restaurants nearby, and the closest Family Mart stand is between the subway entrance and hotel.

Staff were friendly and spoke English, the place was clean, and it’s a good location, with the bus and subway only a three minute walk away. There’s a private washing machine, and it’s enough for a short stay. It’s cheaper than other places for a reason, though, so I wouldn’t pick it for a long stay. We booked a double bedroom, but it felt like a queen bed squeezed into a single room, with no room to open our luggage. The “carpet” floor was actually decorative vinyl. The alley can get a bit noisy at night, and the hollow plank walls don’t block sound well, especially near the stairs. Housekeeping isn’t provided unless you stay seven days, and then you get it once.

Good value and budget friendly. I’ll definitely book here again.