Seodaemun Thema

The room was cozy, if a little small, and worked well for resting after a long day. They changed the towels daily, and shampoo, conditioner, a hair dryer, and body wash were included. It's near the metro, with two bus stops to the railway station and good public transport nearby. I can recommend it at this price, as long as you aren't expecting luxuries. Be patient at reception and have a translator like Google Translate ready, and you should be able to sort things out.

Being stuck outside at night, thousands of kilometers from home, after already paying for the room was a nightmare. I can't say what the issue is here, whether the staff don't care, want guests to pay twice, or are afraid to call the boss. I showed the two women at reception my paid Agoda reservation and even switched my phone to Korean, using a translator to explain. They wouldn't listen, help, or contact the boss or Agoda. Instead, they kept pointing at a sheet of names the boss had apparently written down, saying no, and didn't check the system or Agoda. After an hour they called the boss, who spoke English and tried to help. We had to wait for a staff change, but the next woman knew only a few English words and was no help. For another hour she just showed us the same list and told us to leave, check out, that Agoda had made a mistake, or to pay again. When we asked her to call the boss, she wouldn't. Asked why, she stayed silent and started polishing her nails. Eventually she got an email from the boss with the Agoda screen showing it was paid, then finally said it was okay. Afterward I searched online and it seems they cancel bad reviews about this place. Honestly, if you're a foreigner, don't go there.

We were meant to stay three nights, but left after just five minutes. The rooms had stains on the walls, terrible hygiene, and a nauseating smell that made the place very unpleasant. It felt seedy, like a love hotel, and I'd avoid it at all costs. A vacation in Seoul wouldn't be enjoyable with a stay here.

The hygiene was awful, with hair everywhere. The toiletries the hotel supplied weren't disposable, which I found unacceptable and below even basic standards. When I asked the owner for more, they said I was being nosy. I won't dwell on the poor service, since I can understand it given that I checked in at midnight, but don't come here.