Insadong Crown Hotel

The rooms were dated, but clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I booked that Saturday morning for a night in May and paid about $120. It’s roughly a four-minute walk from the strip, a good balance between the price and being right in the middle of it. Itaewon’s nightlife, subway and shops are all close by, and it’s a great area to spend time in. I didn’t try the amenities, so can’t comment on them. There’s no toothpaste in the room, so you may need to buy some or ask at reception. I’d stay here again next time I’m in Itaewon.

The lobby and check-in desk look beautiful, and the prices are reasonable for a spot within walking distance of Itaewon’s activities. The hotel is huge, with lots of separate wings, but after you leave the concierge area, its age becomes obvious. The rooms are a bit run-down, and the hallway carpet looked as if it had never been cleaned. Everyone speaks English.

The room was fine, and since we booked fairly late we got a good deal on a double. It’s a pretty standard tourist hotel. It took us a whole day to spot the mini fridge, because it was tucked into a cupboard that looked like drawers from the outside, haha. My main gripe was the weak A/C during a hot, humid weekend in May.

The lobby looks pristine, but our rooms were the opposite. The furniture was dated, there were hardly any outlets, and the ceilings were really low. Showering meant squeezing around in what felt like interpretive dance. A few friends and I spent two nights at the Crown Hotel. It might have been nice once, but it isn’t now. Don’t let the lobby fool you.