The Rumi Hostel

Koreatown is right there to explore, and the place is great for a quick stay. I enjoyed the roomy balcony most in the mornings, and the atmosphere felt peaceful and private. The artwork and poetry around the building gave it a creative, uplifting feel. Staff were warm and welcoming, and I met other travelers who were friendly and shared smiles and kind words. They also offer a light breakfast and coffee for free.

I enjoyed my time at the hostel, and the best thing I noticed was that it was drug free. Jonas was friendly and supportive, with a positive energy. I appreciated that he didn't compromise on discipline.

The price is hard to beat, and the location is convenient for the metro, restaurants, and all the fun around K-town. The sanitary conditions were good, and the staff were good too. The women only rooms upstairs looked nicer, so women considering a stay might prefer that slightly more expensive option. You get what you pay for. Downstairs, though, the rooms aren't great. It's an old family house turned into a hostel, with bunk beds crammed into small rooms. There are no washing machines, hair dryers, or towels, and a towel costs $2 to use. The common space is basically a small living room with a few random chairs, and could be improved with more furniture. It's quite unlike other hostels I've stayed in. They take photos of your passport and travel documents showing your departure from here. If you buy things, they need your credit card details because they don't have a card machine. You also can't stay without travel information. Reception closes after 10 p.m., so when my roommate was calling friends at 1 a.m., nobody could stop them.

I spent five nights at the Rumi and had a good experience overall. The room was cleaned every day, toilet paper was replenished daily, and breakfast and hot drinks were free. They give you a label for your food, and each bed has its own socket and lamp. People aren't allowed to eat in the room. There were a couple of drawbacks: there's no laundry, and they ask for documents to show you're a traveler and won't extend your stay. You need to bring a padlock or pay to rent one. Also, if you bring your own mug, keep track of it. I left mine in the kitchen on the first day and never saw it again. For me, there was still much more good than bad, and I'd definitely recommend the place.