G guesthouse Itaewon - Hostel

I was in Korea for just one day, but I’d like to return, and I’d use this hostel again. The rooms were nice and the bathrooms clean. I chatted with a few of the volunteer workers, who were lovely and suggested places to go out. The receptionist was a really nice guy, too. He pointed me to an amazing Michelin-starred restaurant where I ate cheaply, and the food was delicious. Thanks so much, guys. Hope to see you again soon!

Shrek and Say-beok were especially kind and made me feel at home. The staff here connect with you personally and are worth their weight in gold, with great tips on where to eat, drink, and explore. I’ve stayed twice in the last year, and this is my favorite hostel from three years of traveling. I hope I can come back soon and make more memories.

I’ve spent hundreds of nights in hotels and dozens in hostels, and this place ranks in my bottom 10%, even at a quarter of the price. My room was a decent size, but felt anything but cozy. Other Korean hotels I stayed in at similar prices were cleaner, nicer, and had much more comfortable beds. I don’t understand the good reviews when it seems so poorly managed. The concrete floor and walls felt cold and carried noise from other guests. The air conditioner was there, but I couldn’t get it to turn on. The layout was supposed to be industrial chic, but the practical, user-friendly part seems to have been missed. Showering meant hovering over a sink in what felt like a concrete bunker, and there was a little platform for a phone that I hit my head on during the night. Breakfast was cold cereal and toast with jam, without butter. The rooftop deck was why I picked this place. I was having a beer there one afternoon when a staff member told me I had to leave because it had been booked for a private party. She hadn’t mentioned that at check-in an hour earlier, apparently because she didn’t know then. Someone apologized later. Maybe that’s better than nothing, you can decide.

This converted apartment block fits into a lively neighborhood, which is nice for seeing the nightlife, though Saturday brought car horns and a beat from farther away that the earplugs didn’t block. The main sights are farther out and you’ll need the subway. The place itself was clean, and the rooftop, tea selection, and staff were all positives. The owner was cool and had unusual teas like barley and burdock. The shared showers and toilets were often occupied. I wasn’t sure how many rooms shared them, perhaps three, but it could have been closer to 20-25. One toilet had steep steps. The shower room by the window drained slowly, too. Breakfast was cornflakes, sugar-coated cornflakes, or chocolate hoops, with strawberry jam and fruit but no butter or labels. You have to go outside to get to breakfast and reception. The coffee machine takes a little while. The dorm curtains seemed standard and were welcome. I appreciated the extra face towel with the G logo, and toothpaste in the bathrooms, all from the same brand. There were water and hot water available. Guests checked in quietly at 2 a.m., but a late arrival could still disturb people. A mosquito got into my room and I swatted it. Someone turned off the air conditioning overnight, so I woke up sweaty. A few people, me included, bumped their heads, shoulders, or elbows on the metal bedside lamp. It should be higher or closer to the wall.