Blue Boat Hostel Myeongdong

The room was clean, though a little cramped for three people. The location was excellent: Euljiro sam-ga station is a short walk away for the 2 line, and Myeongdong station on the 4 line makes it quick to get to Seoul station and around the city.

💀 Really awful, avoid it. The room was cramped and gross, and it smelled bad 🤢. Someone inside was extremely loud, and the managers just said there was nothing they could do and I should wear earplugs. Terrible staff.

We left the next morning and booked somewhere else for the two weeks we’d planned to stay here. The place had an eerie feel and didn’t seem safe for women traveling alone. The entrance was dark and dirty, with stairs only. There were groups of men hanging around outside smoking at night. Inside, I saw black grease, stains, and bad smells on the bedroom walls and floor, around the entrance and stairs, and in the toilet area. The bedroom door had no lock and could be opened with a swipe card. The shared showers and toilets had no doors. The showers had curtains, but someone could still come in while you were naked. The owner changed all the photos after I disputed things. Don’t assume he’s genuinely friendly; it felt like that friendliness was covering up the unpleasant side of the hostel. The living room setup and signs seemed designed to make the place look appealing and get people to book.

I visited in May 2025. The location worked well, close to lots of food and within walking distance of the train station. Rooms were clean and well kept, though the shared washrooms could feel dirty, as you might expect in a shared hotel. Staff were very kind. In the main shared space, there were free tea and coffee, plus a TV to use. You could also leave your luggage there for the day after checking out. If I stayed again, I’d book the larger top-floor suite with its own washroom. It’s a good option if you’re trying to save money.