Calistar Hotel

We stayed in a triple room, and there was plenty of space for three adults. It had three single beds and lots of windows since it was on a corner. The bathroom was a decent size too, though there’s no bidet. For two people, the room might feel a bit cramped. The reception is on the third floor, and our room was on the fourth. Downstairs there’s a CU, Mega Coffee, and BHC, with Ediya Coffee just behind the building and a Starbucks across from it. Myeongdong shopping street and the airport limousine stop are only a few alleys away. You can’t eat in the room, so we took our food to the shared dining area. It has a water dispenser and sink, but the table only fits about six people and utensils can be hard to find. The place was clean, everything was fine, and there were no odd smells. We had a great stay.

You can walk to Myeondong train subway in about 3 minutes, and the entertainment, cafes, Myeondong shopping precinct, Korean BBQ and hotpot places are nearby. There are also cosmetic consult rooms across the road. The rooms are medium-sized, with a good-sized private bathroom. The shower uses a flexible hose and has a door but no curtain. It’s on the fourth floor, with the elevators on the right.

We stayed for 11 nights in Dec 2024 and found it very convenient, especially for using the pantry when we had leftovers. Eating in the room isn’t allowed, but guests can use the pantry’s microwave and basic kitchen items like plates and mugs. Our room also had a small fridge, enough space for two, and was cleaned daily around 1-2pm, with fresh towels each day. Park Hyeon, the building guard, was really friendly and even helped with our luggage when we arrived. The reception is on the 4th floor. The rules were straightforward and we had no trouble following them. The reception guy came across as professional, spoke decent English, and wasn’t rude, though he wasn’t especially friendly. The location is right in the heart of Myeongdong, close to train stations, Myeongdong night market, Lotte Dept Store and Lotte Young. There are restaurants, fast food and coffee shops in the building, plus a convenience store downstairs and more within a 3-minute walk. We loved the Michelin guide samgyetang restaurant on the second floor. For directions, the entrance is opposite Holly’s cafe. If you’re using Uber or arranging an airport transfer through Klook, use Holly’s cafe as the pin. Otherwise, you might get dropped on the wrong side and have to wrestle your luggage over, which is quite a challenge. Good value for money, and I’d recommend it.

Our room’s hallway window had to stay open to let light in all night, and there was no curtain. The room was the trashiest we’ve stayed in. We also couldn’t eat in the rooms, which meant our 4 yr. old would have to go out to the lobby for a snack in the middle of the night. We forgot to include her on the reservation and were automatically charged $22, but got no extra service, towels, blankets, or bed for her. $22 for what, breathing air? The most family-unfriendly place we’ve stayed in all of Korea. The in-room Wifi didn’t work either. One star for a one-star hotel.