Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences

It's a nice, clean hotel, but certainly not what I'd expect for a supposed 5 star. Rooms were nice but no real air conditioning, constantly warm no matter how low the system was turned down.
Facilities in room okay, shower was dated with rainfall shower clogged with sediment build up rendering it unusable as limited downward flow and jets spray every direction. The ceiling around this was very poor. Bed was comfortable but too few pillows for size, ratio felt off.
Service was okay, but no flexibility when looking to order from room service menu - would not accomodate in bar area. Drinks served in a can, not a glass over ice as I'd have expected.
The entrance was always busy and looked unkempt with suitcases stacked in each corner. Facilities like elevators felt old.
Swimming pool was very small, with strange choice to limit families to this space yet close off a significant portion to lane swimming, shrinking the usable space. Also, interesting enforcement of swimming caps - understand this might be a cultural aspect but would expect these to be provided on request given rating and not additional charge if local users aware if policy as standard. Strange anti-slip matting around every pool surface incredibly uncomfortable under foot and felt like walking on glass.
Overall the hotel was okay, it wasn't exceptional, it didn't feel like we received value for money and whilst the location was also fairly good for subways and airport bus, I don't think I would stay again in a hurry sadly as think similar offerings elsewhere at a lower price point are available.

I had a wonderful stay at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences for four nights during my trip to Seoul. The hotel is excellently located in the heart of Dongdaemun, surrounded by shopping malls, retail centers, restaurants, and convenient transportation options, making it very easy to explore the city.

One of the things I appreciated most was how centrally located the hotel is. It was very convenient traveling to places such as Myeongdong Shopping Street and the trendy Seongsu-dong area, which has become one of my favorite places in Seoul because of its shopping spots and vibrant food scene.

The hotel itself was excellent. The room was very clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. As an Accor Platinum member, I truly appreciated the complimentary upgrade to a Junior Suite, which made the stay even more enjoyable and memorable. The staff was professional, welcoming, and accommodating throughout my stay.

I also enjoyed the hotel gym, which was well-equipped and ideal for maintaining my workout routine while traveling. The breakfast buffet was another highlight of my stay, offering a wide variety of delicious dishes, including many Korean options that I thoroughly enjoyed each morning.

Overall, I highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Seoul. Excellent location, clean and comfortable rooms, great amenities, and outstanding service. I would gladly stay here again on my next visit to South Korea.

The overall service is superb! The check in and check out process was seamless! As an Accor platinum member, the applied benefits in this hotel is just perfect, from the early check in, to the late check out and even the upgrade.
We arrived early as we wanted to maximize the stay. First of all, we got upgraded without even asking, we were allowed to do early check in as well without even asking, as well. We didn't expect to get checked in at 11AM. The staff were all pleasant and courteous, especially the one who checked us in, it's just unfortunate that I wasn't able to get her name. I would've given her a special mention.
Th breakfast was standard, but the scrambled eggs were just scrumptious.I, I was just looking forward to it every morning. Of note is the Korean section, which was a standout, especially the bulogogi and the mayak eggs. It just made the stay more immersive, like giving you a taste of the Korean culture as soon as you start your day.
The lounge food was good, although there was minimal selection of wine, it was still good. Cansu, the associate at the lounge was also very mindful of the needs of the guests, always ready to assist with anything.
The lounge isn't as luxurious but the staff made it so. I'll take great service over anything else anytime.

Line 4 🇰🇷Airport bus 🚌 4 minutes, MTR for 10 minutes walking distance.
It would be better and cooler to choose the bigger room with a king-size bed.
There are a variety of breakfast options available. Nice service with many rooms and many ppl, it might take some time for the facilities and breakfast.

#foodielifenini

Stayed at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun and really appreciated how well this property recognised our status and honoured elite benefits.

LOCATION 10/10
Excellent location near subway lines 2, 4 and 5. Use EXIT 12, which is the closest to the hotel and has a lift.

SERVICE 10/10
Cansu at Level 19 was AMAZING. Although she is not Korean, her command of both English and Korean is CRAZY GOOD. She explained the lounge and breakfast arrangements very clearly, managed everything smoothly, and made us feel at home throughout our stay. Our luggage was taken from Level 1 and delivered straight to our room at her direction, which made arrival seamless.

What also stood out was how warm the other Korean staff were. They were consistently smiling, greeting us warmly and always ready to help. That genuine hospitality made a real difference. Every request was handled VERY QUICKLY.

ROOM 10/10
We appreciated the complimentary room upgrade. The room was SPACIOUS, CLEAN and very well-equipped, with a washing machine, dryer function, fridge, cookware, cutlery and lots of storage. The dryer cycle takes about 3 hours, but clothes came out relatively dry, which was very useful. The kitchen also has a proper stove hood that vents cooking fumes OUT OF THE ROOM instead of recirculating them, which felt very professional.

Another big plus was that there was proper COLD AIR-CONDITIONING even in April, which made the room very comfortable. There were also MANY WINDOWS THAT COULD BE OPENED, which we really appreciated. The in-room GENIE system was also a great touch for requesting amenities, and deliveries usually arrived in LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. It also works as a HARMAN KARDON speaker.

AMENITIES 9/10
Guests with lounge access can check in at Level 19. The lounge runs from 0730 to 2100, with AFTERNOON TEA from 1200 to 1600 and HAPPY HOUR from 1730 to 1930. Weekday breakfast at Level 20 can be crowded, so arrive on time for your allocated slot. On weekends and public holidays, lounge guests can have breakfast at Level 19 instead, which is a much more relaxed option.

FOOD 9/10
The lounge food was solid, with staples like smoked salmon, cheese, juices and a good alcohol selection. The rotating items kept things interesting and THE SOUP WAS CRAZY GOOD. Breakfast was good too.

Overall, one of our best hotel stays in Korea. AMAZING HOSPITALITY, GREAT STATUS RECOGNITION and memorable service from Cansu and the team.

I had a truly memorable stay at the Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun in Seoul. The service throughout my visit was outstanding and really made the experience special.

I stayed in a one-bedroom unit, which was very spacious, well-appointed, and extremely comfortable for an extended stay. The room also offered great views of the city and the surrounding mountains, which made it even more enjoyable to relax after a long day.

What stood out the most was the exceptional service and attention from the staff. Patrick made sure I had everything I needed during my stay and consistently went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable. The team in the executive lounge was also fantastic, especially Cansu, who is always gracious, welcoming, and incredibly positive. She has a wonderful outgoing personality and makes every guest feel at home. Also the food offerings at the lounge during breakfast and in the evening were excellent, with a great variety of options.

I highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting Seoul, especially for an extended stay.