Stanford Hotel Seoul

The hotel itself is modern and clean, but breakfast was among the worst we’ve had. On the first morning every hot dish was cold because the kitchen had forgotten to switch on the warming trays. The hotel refunded us when we asked. The next day the food was warm, not hot, and the toaster didn’t work because all its controls were set to zero. The breakfast display wasn’t appealing either. Save your money and go to the coffee shop around the corner.

We booked this hotel for a soccer match at the worldcup stadium, expecting four stars, but it felt like three at best. Both the first room and the replacement smelled of cigarettes. The rooms seem to have the original carpet from when the hotel was built in its heyday, so I suspect the smell may be present throughout. The carpet and fabric-covered chairs were stained, showing the place’s age. The bathroom was clean, and the bedsheets seemed clean too. Some facilities were available for a fee, with a coupon book provided at check-in. The location is convenient for business travelers.

The pool was the biggest disappointment. It cost an extra 35,000 to use, including 9000 for a swim cap even though I’m bald. I’ve traveled all over and never had to pay extra for a pool. It’s only about 18 meters long, and I was the only person swimming. The air-con remote wouldn’t let us set the temperature we wanted, and its labels were only in Korean. We ended up taking the duvet out of its cover and putting up with a warmer room. At the limited breakfast buffet, staff wouldn’t make an omelette or fried eggs, only boiled or scrambled. Is this North Korea or South Korea? The hotel was clean and nicely presented, with professional staff, a comfortable mattress, a good shower, and a nice balcony on the fourth floor. It could almost have been a five-star review if those other issues hadn’t mattered so much.

The amenities and service didn’t feel like those of a four-star hotel. We had to wait until 4 pm to get our room, even though check-in was supposed to start at 3. Staff said they’d bring our luggage up, but after waiting without it, I called and was told we had to carry it ourselves. You also have to pay to use the swimming pool. There was no drinking water or fountain, which even three-star hotels in Seoul provide. Breakfast was exactly the same every day.