Seoul Vamos Hotel

Really great!

The neighborhood didn’t feel very safe after dark, so I’d try to check in by 9 PM. Inside, though, the room was clean, spacious, and comfortable, with no obvious dust or grime. It had a big TV with regular channels and unlimited Netflix, plus a fridge, hair straightener, dryer, and kettle. There’s no tub, but you can shower without soaking the toilet if you’re careful. I was there at the end of February, and the ondol made the room almost too hot. Water and towels are self-service, and they don’t clean during multi-night stays, though the front desk might help if asked. There was a big crack in the aging concrete wall beside the toilet. It looked a little unsettling, but thankfully it didn’t collapse.

It was quiet despite the busy surroundings, and the room was clean and well equipped. The bed was comfortable, staff were friendly, and the price was reasonable. Yeongdeungpo Market and Yeongdeungpo Station are about a ten-minute walk away. The area has lots of clothing shops, including small mother-in-law's clothing shops, and transit is convenient: Line 1 is close, with Lines 5 and 2 also walkable. I had a pretty good stay.

I felt uneasy about staying alone because the streets around the hotel were quite dark at night, even though the photos had looked lovely. The receptionist was unfriendly. I tried hard to speak Korean, but they kept sighing and saying things I couldn’t understand. I only noticed just before leaving that the window was slightly open. The air conditioning was locked, and I couldn’t adjust it. I hesitated to bring it up because of the receptionist, so I left it alone. The futon was very thin for winter, and I woke up with a sore throat. I’m writing this because I don’t want people to be misled by all the positive reviews. Japanese travelers, please be careful.