Hanok Hotel DAAM

The small garden was peaceful, and there’s a lot of lounge space. Still, charging outlets are only by the corner lounge seats, down at the bottom of the sofa, which is inconvenient. Reception is open 24 hours, and the hospitality was pretty excellent, though the English was basic. Breakfast looked thoughtfully made, but the taste was below average to me. The usual spread was soup, which changed daily, salad, fried rice, mushrooms, vegetables, scrambled eggs, frozen fruit, and cheesecake. I think Korean food might have worked better than the Western-style breakfast. For tourists on a short visit, being near the palace may be appealing, and there are endless food options nearby. I found it too far from the train station, though. This is one of Seoul’s top three premium hostels, with private rooms and a particularly large lounge, but 770-990k KRW feels too expensive for a capsule. I’d have paid a little more for a proper 3-star hotel. The room AC was off from 2am to 3pm, even in spring, and there wasn’t a ventilator. Together with the noise, that was a deal breaker for me. The capsules are arranged in maze-like zones with no doors, so you can hear people talking around the floor. The cheapest capsule is next to the bathroom, where hair dryers and other noise carry through.

Fresh breakfast cooked right in front of you was a highlight, and it was delicious. The staff were polite, welcoming, and hospitable throughout. There’s also a washer and dryer, which was especially useful after a rainy day. The hanok-style place was clean, quiet, and comfortable. I loved staying here for my first couple of nights in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong are easy to reach on foot, with plenty of good food nearby. A great choice for a peaceful, convenient stay with a traditional Korean feel and modern amenities.

The location made it easy to get around: there’s a convenience store next door, hanbok rentals nearby, and Changdeokgung Palace is walkable. Insadong is close for cafes, lunch, or dinner, and both the airport limousine bus and regular bus stops are two minutes away. Staff were all friendly and helpful, and I had a lovely stay. For the price, I think it’s good value. There’s a simple breakfast that was decent enough. Shared bathrooms, showers, and a powder room are grouped together, and shoes stay in an outdoor locker, with slippers provided. The showers had good hot water. Toiletries, a hairdryer, and a comfortable bathrobe were included and replenished daily. The toilets are Japanese-style, with heated seats and bidets. My room was very warm, almost too warm, during my April 7-9 stay, when Seoul was still a little chilly. I didn’t really want the thick comforter but had nowhere else to put it. The bed itself was comfortable, with memory foam bedding, and there’s a safe for valuables. Though it’s hanok-style, you sleep in a bed rather than on a floor mattress. The rooms are very compact, basically a bed with space underneath for luggage and no table. I’d say it suits solo travelers, especially women, or someone a bit adventurous who mainly needs a place to sleep, rather than a comfortable staycation.

The rooms were cozy and thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of places to put your things. I was impressed by how helpful everyone on staff seemed, and they were all friendly. The service was outstanding. The location was just right, near the palaces as well as lively neighborhoods with small restaurants, cafes, and shops.