Orakai Insadong Suites

The room was a good size and felt less stuffy than a hotel room. I appreciated the welcome snacks and the information packet left inside. Still, this is a serviced apartment with only the most basic amenities, and the service wasn’t great. I expected more from the Orakai brand, so I gave it one star.

The location in Insadong made it easy to get around Seoul, with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and shops nearby. The staff were kind and helpful, whether we had questions about transport, the neighborhood, or recommendations. Check-in and check-out went smoothly, and they handled small requests quickly and with a smile. What I valued most was the space. The rooms are much bigger than a typical Seoul hotel room, more like apartments, with a separate living area, kitchen, and lots of storage. It was easy to relax and feel at home between outings. Orakai Insadong Suites is a fantastic choice if you want a comfortable, spacious stay with genuinely helpful staff.

I’ve stayed at Orakai Insadong Suites every year for decades when I come to my hometown, Seoul. The location suits my needs perfectly, with Subway Lines 1, 3, and 5 and many bus routes close by. There are lots of sightseeing spots and restaurants within walking distance. Even the smallest one-bedroom apartment has more room than a typical hotel room. The separate lounge, kitchen, laundry, and generous storage make longer stays comfortable. This time, though, my room showed quite a bit of wear. I used to enjoy the sauna on the 2nd floor, but it has become run down. The tubs haven’t been filled since COVID-19, and the whole area felt neglected and in need of a thorough renovation.

The neighborhood is lovely, and the subway is just a minute away. There’s also a Coffee Bean branch right below the building. We’d definitely stay here again, though we didn’t have time to try the gym or pool. We had great service. Since we arrived very early, they let us check in ahead of time and upgraded our apartment. It was huge, modern, comfortable, and very clean, with super soft towels. This was the best hotel we stayed at in South Korea.