Tower

The location is fantastic, with the famous DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) right in front of the hotel. K-pop Demon Hunters fans will recognize it. My room was a bit smaller than I expected, but comfortable. I was upset by the front desk experience. None of the staff there seemed to speak or understand English, and with my Australian accent they couldn’t understand me. When I asked for a nail clipper, they apparently thought I wanted slippers, and an engineer came to my room late at night with a pair. The front desk staff weren’t helpful, which surprised and frustrated me. That engineer told me to call him Lee. He spoke fluent English after living in California for a long time, and I live there too. I’d already translated my request with Google Translate, but didn’t need it after all. We had a nice conversation, and he explained nearby restaurants and convenience spots. I had a bad stomachache that night, and even though it was past midnight, Lee used his break time to help me find medicine. I don’t remember his full name, but he said his Korean name means “today” in Korean. He seemed like someone who’d help any time. If you’re a foreigner who speaks English and needs assistance, I strongly recommend asking for Lee. His kindness and dedication made the stay much more comfortable than it could have been.

The best thing about the hotel is its location, right by Hyundai City Outlets and a market, making shopping and exploring easy. Housekeeping were friendly and attentive, and I appreciated the free bottled water each day. There’s a communal kitchen on every floor, which is handy for travelers watching their budget. Still, the advertised four stars felt more like a solid three to me. The beds weren’t very comfortable, and the rooms were compact, though that’s typical for Korea. Breakfast seemed pricey for the limited selection, so I’d eat elsewhere unless it’s included. There aren’t many dining options in the hotel, and the little convenience store has limited variety. It’s a decent budget-friendly choice in a great spot, but don’t expect four-star service or amenities.

This was our second visit, and the welcome and smooth check-in were just as good. The room was smaller than on our first stay, but still comfortable and nicely decorated. There’s a convenience store at the hotel, which I think is open all the time. For the price, it’s great value and the location is fantastic. Dongdaemun plaza is a short walk away, with metro and bus stations that make reaching many popular Seoul attractions easy. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Seoul.

They shut off the power for a few hours for maintenance while I was eating, so I had my meal in the dark. The location was great, the place was clean, and the staff were nice.