When visiting Seoul, one should definitely experience the local Korean hotels
After looking around, I found that hotels in Seoul are quite expensive, costing over 2000 per night. Considering a five-day stay, this was way over my budget, so I opted for a few Korean chain hotels instead:
▶Nine Tree Premier Rokaus Hotel, the Nine Trees Dragon Mountain branch
Based on the different names, Premier must be the best among them. The Myeongdong branch was too expensive due to late booking, so I decided to try the boutique hotel in Dragon Mountain.
Location: 2 minutes from the Dragon Mountain high-speed train station🚅/subway🚇. Turn left out of the door and you're there, 🛍️and it's super convenient to browse I PARK, the largest and most comprehensive duty-free shopping center in the Dragon Mountain area (with lots of good food and fun). It's also convenient to get to Seoul Station to catch a high-speed train or to the airport (the 6001 airport bus also stops here, a five-minute walk away). There's a bakery downstairs and a 24-hour CU convenience store just a short walk away.
Decor style: The hotel has a simple and generous design.
Comfort: 28 square meters, family twin room, one double bed and one single bed, suitable for 2-3 people
Facilities: Swimming pool, gym, a small exhibition hall on the first floor, and free automatic storage lockers on the second floor (super convenient).
Price reference: Around 1200
▶Nine Tree, the Nine Trees Dongdaemun
This one is considered the lower-end model in the series, but the hotel's pillow selection is quite nice, a pleasant surprise. There's a self-service check-in and a lounge area on the fourth floor (with free water, coffee, magazines, and charging facilities); the rooms come with Chinese power adapters.
Location is actually very good, turn left out of the hotel for subway lines 5 and 2, turn right for the airport bus stop. The hotel also thoughtfully provides a departure timetable for guests' reference.
Price reference: Around 800
I've noticed a few characteristics of staying in Seoul hotels:
1️⃣ Eco-friendliness: Free disposable toiletries are not provided; the rooms have large bottles of washing and care products; there are eco-friendly reminder signs on the beds, mainly asking whether to change the sheets or not.
2️⃣ Strict check-in and check-out times, usually after 3 pm, some even at 6 pm, and check-out at 11-12 noon. Early or late check-out incurs additional fees.
3️⃣ Power adapters are not guaranteed, it's best to bring your own.