Seoul Cube Itaewon - Hostel

The location is the standout: transport, cafes, food, and supermarkets are all nearby. I spent a week here and can see why reviews are mixed. The shared space is nicely laid out, with a simple breakfast that includes boiled eggs, a good bit of protein in the morning. The pods are thoughtfully designed, with a lamp and power socket each. Upper bunks are wider and have room for a bag; lower ones leave little space beyond the mattress. There’s a guest fridge, but it’s tiny compared with the two large fridges for staff. Noise is a real issue on weekends. Bars nearby are barely noticeable on weekdays, but weekend sounds come right through the small pod window, which doesn’t block much. The male dorm door still has no lock, an issue someone mentioned months ago. The metal dorm and bathroom doors bang loudly when people are careless. Guests aren’t warned about this at check-in, and a reminder could help. The atmosphere didn’t feel social. The Korean manager is usually around in the afternoon or evening; I can’t call him especially friendly or unfriendly, but he seemed more communicative with young, pretty Western women than with other travelers. The two other women, possibly volunteers, mostly clean and keep to themselves, and it isn’t clear they’re staff. It can feel automated and unattended. At least it’s not a party place. Cleaning could be more thorough. During my week, the floor by the urinal wasn’t cleaned, the body wash ran out and wasn’t refilled, and the exhaust vents were dusty. Basic daily cleaning seemed partly done, but the hostel needs a deeper clean now and then. I’m not very picky about this, though I understand the complaints I’ve read.