Hamilton Hotel

The pool was a welcome break from the summer heat, and the Saturday pool party had a really fun atmosphere. There are plenty of bars and clubs nearby for later. It’s a lively hotel in a busy part of the city, with a nice view over Itaewon, though the road outside gets quite busy.

If getting any sleep matters to you, I’d avoid this place. The clubs outside play music all night, any day of the week. The bass was still going strong at 6:25 on Tuesday, and the earplugs they provide didn’t block it. I could hear the neighbors having sex too, including the woman next door’s moans. On top of that, the digital phone control for the lights and other things is so bright. That might sound minor, but it’s frustrating when the noise is already keeping you awake. The rooms are old, there was no hand soap, and the in-room coffee was that sweetened instant mix, mostly sugar with little coffee. I found old fake eyelashes on the desk and a long black hair on a towel. They weren’t mine. I’m grumpy and have to work today, and staying here was one of my worst decisions. It’s an overpriced three-star hotel that seems to think it’s better than it is. The photos include the random eyelashes and the hair.

The hotel's location right by the subway made it easy to get around, and the room was nice and felt pretty fancy. The hotel itself is nice, though the service was average. But if you want a peaceful, relaxing stay, you won’t get one here. Clubs and bars surround and adjoin the hotel, and the music is so loud you can hear the lyrics. The earplugs they gave us did nothing to stop the bass. I booked two nights, then chose another hotel for the next night because I knew I wouldn’t sleep if I stayed. When I handed in my key and said I was checking out a day early, all they said was okay, with no questions or anything. I’d been excited for my little trip to Seoul, but exploring the city exhausted after the night before put a damper on it. I hope this helps someone choose where to stay.

It’s my favorite hotel in Seoul. I’ve stayed here several times, and the staff are always so nice and helpful. The location is very convenient if you like going out in Itaewon. There are plenty of quiet rooms, and if you’re staying for a week or longer, they usually put you in one automatically. I really don’t understand people complaining about the music. Why choose to stay in Itaewon if that’s a concern? Maybe they didn’t look into the district before booking.