AAnonymous UserThanks to our butlers Xiaoyue and Ayu for their help during our stay. The first female receptionist at check-in had a fake smile. Even though I told her I didn't like the 14th floor, she insisted that only the room on the 14th floor could meet my request. I was exhausted from a red-eye flight, so I didn't know if it was truly the only available room (on a floor with a 4, which Koreans dislike), or for some other reason. I just didn't want to argue further and reluctantly checked in.
Upon entering the room, there was a strong curry smell. I also saw a handwritten welcome letter for a foreign female guest prominently displayed on the bedside table (I'm not sure if this is for all non-Koreans or if this guest was exceptionally special). My mood instantly soured. I didn't know if the housekeeper hadn't cleaned properly or if this guest had moved rooms and they hadn't re-cleaned. I saw creases on the bedding, indicating it was newly changed. I was too tired, so I just forced myself to sleep. During the night, there were rumbling noises. The bathroom still smelled of curry, and I didn't have perfume, so I made a cup of capsule coffee to mask the smell. I still believe it's better to avoid trouble when traveling, so I stuck with the room and didn't ask for a change. The next morning, I was woken up by the strange noises again. Reluctantly, I communicated and got a room change. They offered a voucher for 2 takeaway drinks, but I didn't use it.
Anyway, lately, when I go to Seoul, I always feel that their attitude towards Chinese people is much worse than before, in a subtle way. During check-in, I noticed what seemed like Hong Kong or Malaysian Chinese guests next to me who had checked into several rooms hours earlier. But for me, there were no rooms available. However, I couldn't verify if it was differential treatment or just bad luck that there were no rooms exactly when I arrived. Their rule is check-in at 3 PM, so I had to accept it. My offer to pay for early check-in was also declined. Comparing this to those who could check in early instantly dampened my mood.
Aside from the hotel's service level, the location is quite good. All the front desk staff speak good English and are communicative. Jacob's English is especially excellent. There are also complimentary snacks and soda in the room. Speaking of complimentary items, there seemed to be a difference here too. The 'special guest' room the day before had two extra large cookies and two sparkling waters.
Across the street, there's a BHC and a somewhat expensive but delicious soup restaurant. Exit 9 of Hongdae Line 2 has many small shops. It's not tiring to walk from the subway after finishing errands. There are many good eateries around. The airport bus 6007 to the airport even has a dedicated uncle who helps load your luggage, which is better than some other stops where only the bus driver can help with luggage, hehe. At over 1600 won a night, this hotel is not cheap for Seoul. While the hardware is what it is, the service could definitely be improved. For 800-1000 won, this hotel would be a good option. Beyond that, there are too many other alternatives. Also, don't trust the recommendations on Xiaohongshu; they're all ads. There are many great hotels in Seoul, but I won't tell you, or they'll get more expensive, ha ha ha.
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