Dongdaemun Boutique Nine

We stayed eight nights, and the room was cleaned and tidied every day. They changed the sheets and towels daily too. I really liked how spacious the room was, which is rare in Seoul at this price, and I’d consider staying again. The location worked well: Sinseol-dong subway station and the airport bus stop are both a two-minute walk away. Myeongdong takes about 20 minutes by subway or 30 by bus. The facilities are basic, with a microwave in the lobby and body wash, shampoo, and conditioner in the room, but no other amenities. The mattress wasn’t very firm, and we had a little backache.

The room is bigger than what you get at places closer to the center, and the hotel is basically clean and well kept, with the essentials travelers need. It’s a little old, so don’t expect fancy extras. Shops and places to eat are nearby, and the metro is just a few minutes’ walk away. The lobby design felt a bit awkward. Staff were cool but still helpful. A good value stay overall.

The rooms are spacious and liveable, and housekeeping cleaned them sufficiently. One bedsheet had stains, though, and walking down the corridor felt eerie. Sometimes guest doors were wide open and empty at night. The front desk staff, especially on the evening shift, were dismissive and not much help. The hotel is relatively cheap and close to Dongdaemun and the subway, so it could work if you want somewhere inexpensive and fairly convenient. For luxury or a relaxing stay, it’s not the place.

There’s a balcony in the suite twin room, and the room itself is spacious, with a separate bathtub and shower and a heated toilet. It was a pleasant stay overall. There were no toiletries, which seems common in Korean hotels, and the room’s bins were incredibly narrow and tiny. The metro is within walking distance, with coffee shops and 7 eleven nearby. If you’re heading to places like myeongdong often, you’ll need to change lines at dongdaemun.