Hotel Riviera

Lucy looked after me so well from check-in, thank you, Lucy ✨🙏🏼 The room had a spring-flower scent from the carpet and bed linens that lasted through the day 🌸. I liked the ventilation opening that let fresh air in, and there was an EU power point for travellers from Indonesia. The toilet seat was heated and had an auto washer. The shampoo, body wash, and lotions were such good quality they could replace your usual products ✨🧼🧽🫧🧴. The interior felt like a thoughtfully done time capsule from the 90s. The location in Gangnam is strategic.

I checked out right away and booked another hotel after these problems. Management reviewed my complaint and gave me a refund, which I appreciated, but the room’s condition and the entry into it should never have happened. The room I was first given had serious water damage. The bathroom door, trim, and baseboards were warped and stained from long exposure to moisture, and the place felt unsanitary and run down. Then at 7:30am the next morning, while I was asleep, a housekeeper rang the bell and entered my occupied room. I hadn’t requested service. The explanation was that he “didn’t hear anyone respond.” Silence isn’t consent to enter a guest’s room, especially that early. It was a serious privacy breach and left me uncomfortable staying there. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel.

The furniture has an old-fashioned style, which shows the hotel’s age, but it was clean and didn’t bother us. The front desk staff were nice, and parking is free. Getting into the parking lot by car is a little awkward because the turn is just after a traffic light. If you miss it, you have to circle the whole block. There’s also an event venue with a separate entrance and overflow parking outside. It’s a good budget stay in gangnam.

The main draw is the location: it’s a 7-minute walk to the subway and about 20 minutes to COEX Mall, so transport connections are great for the price. There are clear tradeoffs, though. The sound insulation is poor, gym and pool access cost extra, and the towels smell strongly of chlorine. There are also very few convenience stores or restaurants right around the hotel. It’s a solid affordable option if you want good connections, but not the most comfortable stay.