Hotels near Vanilla Cloud in Seoul

Thanks 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.

Overall, we had a pleasant stay and would definitely recommend this hotel, especially because of the commendable service provided by the concierge and reception staff. Shout out to Manager Smith, the lady trainee and the friendly lady chef. Entering the hotel was a little confusing at first as there are two sides to enter from. From the side we entered had to walk all the way to the end before taking the lift up to the 9th floor, where the hotel lobby is located (would be nice if they had some directory or stickers on the ground to direct us to the correct lift, we saw other guests being lost too). It was also quite difficult to book a taxi directly outside the hotel. Even when we set the pick-up location as Stanford Hotel, some taxi stopped at Ibis Hotel instead. This is something to take note of, especially when travelling with elderly guests, as they may have to walk further to reach the pick-up point. We stayed in a Family Twin Room and added an extra bed. The room became quite cramped with the additional bed, but was otherwise comfortable. As we were travelling with elderly family members, one downside was that the bathroom only came with a bathtub, with no option for just a ground level standing shower. However, when we asked the receptionist for assistance, they kindly found a stool for us and brought it directly to our room, which we really appreciated. There were also a few minor issues with the room. Our room phone could not dial housekeeping directly, so we had to contact the reception instead. The toilet bowl also clogged quite easily during our stay, it happened twice, so I would recommend being careful not to use too much toilet paper. Happy that the hotel had quite a few convenient facilities. There was a laundry room on level 10, snacks available for purchase at the hotel lobby, and even a luggage weighing scale right in front of the lobby, which was very useful before our flight. There is also an Olive Young directly below the hotel, which was great. There were a few dining options on Level 9 as well, including a bar and a breakfast/coffee area. We tried the hotel breakfast and enjoyed it. There was a nice variety of food. Definitely not the extensive assortment you might expect from a five-star hotel, but still more than enough for an enjoyable breakfast. They even had a croffle station. The lady chef at breakfast was also very friendly and would often greet us when we arrive and again when we left. These may seem like small gestures, but they really go a long way in making guests feel welcomed. Hotel guests also received 10% off breakfast, which was a nice benefit. On days when we were tired and did not feel like heading out early, it was convenient to simply stay in the hotel and have breakfast there instead. One thing to note is that breakfast closes strictly at 10am. If you are still eating past the closing time, the staff may remind you to finish up quite quickly, so I would recommend going down earlier if you prefer a more leisure breakfast. What stood out most during our stay was the service. The concierge and reception staff were extremely helpful and often went beyond their usual duties to make sure we were well taken care of. When we encountered an issue ordering food delivery, they assisted us with the order. On another occasion, we needed help rescheduling an appointment, the trainee kindly helped us contact them when the place opened and rearrange it for a later time. We also ran into some issues regarding our check-out, and thankfully, Manager Smith stepped in and helped us resolve the situation. Despite the few inconveniences, the thoughtful and attentive service made our stay a positive one. The little gestures from the staff, together with the convenient facilities, made a difference, particularly as we were travelling with elderly family members. It was also nice that there were many great food places near the hotel, within 3-10min walk. We would definitely recommend staying here.

Overall, my stay was great! The room was a bit small, but it was spotless. For two people, there wasn't much space to lay out luggage, but we managed to pack and unpack. The room amenities were a pleasant surprise: a large fridge and two washing machines. We didn't use them during our short trip, but they would be incredibly useful for long-term travelers. The hotel also provides two complimentary bottles of water daily, and the shower pressure was excellent and very comfortable. The front desk service was a big plus; the staff spoke Chinese, making the check-in process seamless. The location is superb, with a convenience store right downstairs – perfect for buying water, snacks, and daily necessities. Myeongdong shopping area is also within walking distance, making shopping and errands incredibly easy. I would definitely choose to stay here again on my next visit to Seoul!

Beautifully designed and spotless, but several practical details need improvement Stay And4 is a beautifully designed, newly opened property with a stylish, modern interior. Everything looks carefully considered, from the bathroom fixtures to the refrigerator, microwave and water dispenser. The cleanliness is absolutely exceptional! A big compliment to the housekeeping staff, who clearly do an amazing job. Everything was spotless. I also appreciated the complimentary cup noodles and instant coffee in the communal area. However, despite the beautiful design, several practical details haven’t been thought through properly. Room comfort One important thing to know is that the room has no windows or natural daylight. The decorative curtains are beautifully executed and create a warm, inviting atmosphere, but having no daylight can feel unusual. At night, the standby lights on the TV and especially the water dispenser are extremely distracting. The water dispenser emits so much light that it actually illuminates the room when everything else is switched off. The power outlets next to the bed also don’t hold plugs securely. Even a slight movement of the charging cable can cause the plug to fall out. Bathroom The towels are extremely small, roughly the size of guest towels in the Netherlands rather than proper bath towels. For a relatively upscale property, this is disappointing. I asked the hotel about it and was told this is their standard size. Proper bath towels would be a significant improvement, especially for international guests. There is also no bath mat. The bathroom layout isn’t particularly practical either. There is a bathtub and an open shower, but the shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are in large dispensers fixed to the wall by the shower. They cannot be reached from the bathtub, meaning you have to get out or dispense the products into your hands beforehand. A strange design oversight. Housekeeping I stayed for two nights without any housekeeping. I don’t expect a full cleaning for such a short stay, but the very small trash bin wasn’t emptied, and used glasses and cups weren’t cleaned or replaced. A quick refresh would have been appreciated. Luggage storage The advertised “free luggage storage” is misleading in my opinion. There is no secure storage room, just a rack in a common area where you can attach your suitcase using a lock. Luggage remains accessible to other guests, making this unsuitable for open bags or valuables. I contacted the hotel about this because I wasn’t comfortable leaving my belongings there. The listing should be more transparent about what is actually provided. Carpeting The wall-to-wall carpeting looks beautiful now, but I question how well it will age and how easily it can be kept thoroughly clean. It’s also not ideal for guests sensitive to dust mites. A clear shoes-off policy might help maintain its condition. Entrance and surroundings The approach to the hotel and the entrance itself aren’t particularly inviting. The surroundings feel somewhat run-down, contrasting sharply with the beautiful interior. The stairwell in particular could benefit from refurbishment to create a better first impression. Overall Stay And4 has a lot of potential. The design is beautiful, the facilities are modern, and the cleanliness is genuinely outstanding. However, the many practical shortcomings make the experience less comfortable than the appearance suggests. Since the property is still new, I hope management takes this feedback seriously. Most issues could be resolved relatively easily and would significantly improve the guest experience. Good design should be about functionality and comfort, not just aesthetics.

I can say that Gaga Hotel Dongdaemun is quite an underrated hotel that is not really popular among tourists from my own country. However, I trusted my instincts to book it anyway and turned out it was a great choice! First, the location is really strategic. You took an airport bus from the terminal and straightly rode it until Dongmyo station. Just 2 minutes walk from the station and you will arrive at the hotel. Bonus point is that the hotel located at landed area, no need for hiking steep trails or stairs! Then, you wanted to go to the main attraction places, simply ride on the city bus or took the subway train that was located just 5 mins walks from the hotel. Really convenient! As for the room, it was really minimalist but still have all the basics necessities that every tourists needed. Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, hair dryer, towel, toothbrush and even hanger provided in the room. But bear in mind that korea’s hotel only provided small towel, just enough to dry your body 😂 As for check in and check out process, it was convenient as well. You do it all by yourself. Really suitable for introvert person or those who may have language barriers. And lastly, for a hotel, it offered one of the best price that you can get in Seoul. Overall, I had a great stay at Gaga Hotel and definitely will recommend this hotel to others. And I will definitely consider again to stay there for my next trip.

One of the more interesting hotels we have stayed in. Location is a decent walking distance from the overall Myeongdong area. In terms of the place itself, our room was compact but made the most out of the space with the placing of the bunk beds, sink, and bathroom. Definite highlight was our host/receptionist. He was very receptive, kind, and enthusiastic to serve us and all of our requests. He even created Hangul stamps with our names as souvenirs from our stay. Would book again!

Not a place I would recommend (reason below): I understand It is a cheap accomodation, There's a bit of mold, a lot of dust, and persistent body odor in the dormitory. The sheets are clean, but theres 1 tiny washroom shared across 12 guests in the mixed dorm. You certainly do get what you pay for in terms of the amenities. However, what cannot be discounted by the affordable price is the staff service. The workers here were the rudest hospitality staff that we'd ever experienced. For context, the hostel operates on an automated check in and cleaning system. This means that the staff-to-guest relationship is largely unmanaged. This manifested in the staff being extremely entitled and quick to anger. I was rudely shoved by one member two times in the time that we stayed here. He was always very angrily cleaning and pushing past customers. In another case, one of the staff members who was boarding in the mixed dorm with us was so entitled to the room that she would constantly give us attitude and rude gestures everytime we came back to the room, no matter the time of day. They even asked one of us to leave so they could take a call. A staff member asking a paying guest to leave their paid-for accomodation so that they can sit and do with their personal matters is unacceptable behaviour. Ultimately, as great as the location is (right next to the Metro), and as manageable the room setup was, the way that guests are treated here makes this a place that I would recommend skipping. There are many other Hostels in this price range that I cannot imagine to be as awful.

The room was spotless and well-stocked with amenities. The hotel staff at the front desk were very kind. There were some mornings where I'd be woken up by noise or loud conversations in the hallway, but overall it was a comfortable stay. On my last day, as I was about to check out and leave the room, I found my auto-locked door had been opened, and was slightly ajar. This was about an hour and a half before check-out time. Since there was only one door separating my room from the hallway, I had no idea how long it had been open. As a solo traveler, I found this quite frightening.

The hotel's location is absolutely fantastic! 👍 The only downside is that the room is a bit small. The front desk staff speak English, and the cleanliness is decent; I always bring my own disposables anyway. Myeongdong is right downstairs, with large Olive Young beauty stores and CU convenience stores. Shopping and dining are incredibly convenient. If you turn left out of the hotel, Myeongdong Station Exit 5 is a 1-minute walk. If you turn right, Lotte Duty-Free and Shinsegae Duty-Free, along with department stores, are less than a 10-minute walk away. The subway and taxis are also super convenient nearby. The 6015 airport limousine bus goes directly to the hotel! 👍👍👍

The accommodation was exceptionally clean, and the bathroom was very spacious. It's super close to the subway station and incredibly cheap. The front desk staff were also great; different people were on duty each day, some spoke Chinese, and some even spoke Spanish. The service was excellent, and they also offer luggage storage. The only downside is that there's no washing machine, so you have to go out to do laundry. But considering I only paid 72 RMB a night when I booked, not having a washing machine is perfectly acceptable, haha!