Kimchee Gangnam Guesthouse - Hostel

The crowd in the basement common room was friendly, with lots of seats, and everyone on staff I met was welcoming. For pricey Gangnam, the rate seemed reasonable. The amenities were hostel average, though not in pristine condition. I stayed in a bed in an eight person mixed room. The locker was taller than an airline personal item. It was a standard bunk, already made up, and I didn’t have to pack the bedding up either. There was no bunk light, outlet, or curtain. Each room had one combined bathroom and toilet, with a hair dryer and shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. There was also a basement bathroom without a shower. Towels were included, breakfast wasn’t. The basement had a large common space with couches and tables, and there was an elevator. Adding an outlet by every bed would help.

Haeji checked me in kindly and walked me through everything. Since I’m a foreigner in Korea and don’t speak the language, I was impressed by how well she spoke English. The room had all the amenities I needed and was great. It’s extremely close to shopping, cafes, and downtown Gangnam. I definitely recommend staying here.

The only good part was that the staff were kind and very helpful. The hostel itself was the worst I’ve stayed in, and far too dirty. When I walked into the room, there was dust on the floor and on my bed. The toilet smelled awful and had lots of mold. I wonder if they change the sheets every time. I don’t understand how this place gets such a good score.

I only stayed a short time, but the room was just what I needed and the on sight facilities were top notch. Carter, the manager, was a wonderful host and a brilliant conversationalist. Lovely little guesthouse, and I’ll stay here again.