Janet's Apple House

The bathroom could’ve been cleaner, but the kitchen was good and the owner was nice. The location isn’t central, though I liked it. I was staying for work and more or less living there, rather than spending a week traveling around, so it suited me. For the price, getting a room to myself where I could sit and work felt like exceptional value. I don’t really understand all the bad reviews. Very good stay overall.

The location was great, especially if you want to experience local culture and daily life. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay. There was no window in my room, though I think some rooms have one, and it became unbearably hot and stuffy with almost no ventilation. The AC and heating unit didn’t work at all. I could smell the visible black mold, the room was disgusting, and the bed was hard. After a sleepless night, I had to find somewhere else to stay. I’m baffled that this place is rated 8/10 on Expedia.

Booking here was a really distressing experience. I’ve visited South Korea many times and stayed in at least six different kinds of accommodation, but no other host has left me feeling this upset. They were vile, unhelpful, uncooperative, and unsympathetic. I wouldn’t recommend this place.

The neighborhood was just right for me: a quieter residential part of Seoul, with the number 1 train line nearby. That mattered more to me than being in the middle of a trendy area. Having a window made a big difference in the tiny room. Everything else was fine, but the bathroom wasn’t great, and really only one person could use the shower at a time.