Seoul Garden Hotel

Hotel Garden Seoul is a bit dated and barely scraping by as a 4-star property. The service, facilities, and overall experience don't offer great value for money—it's a bit overpriced. On the bright side, it's located on a major thoroughfare, making transportation convenient. All things considered, I don't feel staying here is a good choice when visiting Seoul.

The room was clean and tidy, and cleaned with great care every day. The front desk staff spoke Chinese, and there is a luggage scale on the first floor, which we used frantically to weigh our bags after packing on the last day. The transportation is also super convenient, right next to Mapo Station. There is amazing food all around, plus two Olive Young stores nearby that are uncrowded, fully stocked, and great for shopping. The Hyundai Department Store in Yeouido is just three subway stops away. I forgot to take photos of the hotel, but I took plenty of pictures of the nearby food—everything is super close and convenient. I'll definitely stay here again next time. Highly recommended!

Although the hotel is a bit dated, it's still a large, established hotel brand, so the overall hardware is quite decent. The key is that the environment and bedding are super comfortable—it was the deepest and most comfortable night of sleep I had in Seoul. I'll definitely stay here again next time~~ Very reassuring, and the room soundproofing is also good.

The hotel is conveniently located with direct airport shuttle bus and metro access from the airport. Getting to the city center is also quick via bus and metro. There are many small restaurants nearby, and the hotel itself is clean and quiet. However, the soundproofing of the building could use some improvement.

The hotel was relatively clean. The facilities and environment were consistent with its build and renovation years. On several occasions, I encountered staff members in person at the hotel, and they all just walked past me. Similarly, when opening doors, staff would push through rather hurriedly, never showing any intention of letting guests go first. Perhaps this lack of courtesy is a unique custom of the hotel. Some of the front desk staff spoke English well, making it easy to ask for directions and communicate. However, the service felt cold and unwelcoming, almost as if they were reluctantly responding to their own countrymen. Their professionalism seemed rather weak.

This stay exceeded my expectations. The room was spacious with two large beds, well-lit, and the furniture was well-maintained, making it quiet and comfortable. The lobby design was elegant, and the Teddy bears in Hanbok added a unique Korean touch, perfect for記念 photos. The buffet breakfast offered a rich variety, including Western options like omelets and ham, as well as local Korean flavors such as kimchi and tofu, complemented by rice and potatoes, providing diverse choices. The breakfast restaurant was expansive with plenty of seating, a clean dining environment, and attentive service. Overall, the facilities, cleanliness, and food were all top-notch, making it suitable for both business and family travel.

I absolutely loved the hotel lobby; it's spacious and grand. The front desk offers Chinese-speaking staff, which made check-in and check-out very convenient. Downstairs, there are many convenience stores and restaurants, making it easy to grab a meal or buy essentials. The hotel facilities are well-established, with plenty of elevators, and luggage storage is free. The main reason I chose this hotel is the Incheon Airport 6015 bus stops directly in front of the hotel, so I didn't have to drag my luggage and transfer to the subway. Plus, it's within walking distance to Mapo subway station, making it very close to popular spots like Hongdae, Gongdeok, and Yeouido.

Taking the airport bus from Incheon Airport brings you right near the hotel. It's super easy to find – just a few minutes' walk back from the bus stop. It's also very close to subway line 5. The room was clean and tidy, and I specifically chose a king-size bed, which was very comfortable. Plus, there's a 24-hour restaurant right downstairs that serves delicious food.

Last year when I came to Seoul, I also stayed in the Mapo area, specifically at the L'Escape Hotel, which was across from the Garden Hotel. This time, when I was planning my trip to Seoul, L'Escape didn't have the room type I wanted, so I chose the Garden Hotel instead. The location of this hotel is actually excellent; the airport bus stops right outside. However, since I was trying to save money and used my climate card for the airport line, I couldn't take advantage of that convenience. My main reason for choosing it was still the Garden Hotel's location. The hotel is situated between Gongdeok Station and Mapo Station, making transportation very convenient. You can reach most major attractions and commercial areas by subway. Plus, it's not as bustling as the Myeongdong area, so it's much quieter at night. There are also plenty of dining options nearby: various coffee shops, burger joints, pork soup with rice, ginseng chicken soup, ox bone soup, Korean BBQ, sushi restaurants – basically everything you could want to eat. It's also not far from the Seoul Station City Tower. Getting to The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido is also super easy, just two subway stops away. I stayed in a deluxe double room by myself, and I found the size to be perfectly fine. The service was good too; the male receptionist during check-in was very enthusiastic and had a great attitude. I stayed for 5 days, and only one day the cleaning was finished as late as 3 PM; the other days it was done quickly. If I had to pick a flaw, it would be that the decor and furnishings definitely reflect the style of an older star-rated hotel, unlike the more modern L'Escape. There's also a restaurant on the first floor of the hotel, but with so many dining options around, I didn't end up going there.