Jamsil Stay Hotel

The room is nice, free water, helpfull reception, they also have hair straightener in room, even the location not in the central touris area but the hotel really closed public transportation, also the price is good, if you want to stay at jamsil area this place is highly recomended

My first time staying at the Jamsil area, away from the hustle and bustle of Myeongdong. Also, I wanted to visit Seokchon lake in the vicinity.

I booked with hotel with trepidation because of the poor reviews. However, the hotel’s quick responses on the booking platform were great mitigating factors.

LOCATION
One of the located hotels because it is just 3 mins walks from Samjeon station (Line 9, Gold) and it has a lift access on the same side as the hotel.
Line 9 also has express trains to Gimpo Airport where u can transfer to the airport rail to Incheon. U literally can get into the city for KRW5000, with minimal transfer, walking, traffic jam.
I asked the hotel. They are asked me to take a taxi or go somewhere nearby to take a limousine bus 😅 Their proximity to the subway station is gold (pun intended).

RECEPTION
Entrance to the lobby is very pretty. The lobby itself looks newly renovated, furnished with modern tables and plants.
Manger, Choi, was warm, helpful and welcoming. The only person who speaks some English. The rest? U have to use translator.

BEDROOM
Was assigned Room 211. A room without windows which i really hate bec
1. No ventilation
2. No natural light
3. Unable to view the weather.
✔️Flooring: Carpeted (dislike)
✔️View: None.
✔️Bed: Firm
✔️Sheets: clean white Cotton sheets.
✔️Pillows: Soft & fluffy.
✔️Television : Huge Flat screen. Very wide selection. Mostly Korean language. Bring your own HDMI cable. The hotel doesn’t have.
✔️Phone: By the bedside.
✔️Plugs: Ample power points. Even has international plugs. Pleasantly surprised.
✔️Safe Deposit box: Yes, a small one. I didn’t know how to use.
✔️Fridge: unstocked mini fridge with water. Paper cups, teabags and coffee are in here too. Weird.
✔️Wardrobe: none. Ample hanger racks. Impressed.
✔️Electric Jug: Yes.
✔️Beverage: Teabags and house Coffee powder. In fridge.
✔️Housekeeping: Needs improvement. Found a few strands of hair (not mine) on wooden bench. Thankfully not on the bed.
✔️Bathrobes: Yes. But not 100% cotton
✔️Slippers: Yes, the disposable types.
Shoehorn: No. (Sigh)

BATHROOM
✔️Decor: functional with choice of ambient lighting
✔️Phone: None
✔️Shower: well segregated compartment with high excellent water pressure. Hot water is consistent. There is even a rain shower. Impressed.
✔️WC: electronic bidet. Love it.
✔️Hairdryer : portable. Powerful. And even a styling tongs.
✔️Toiletries: only mini soap. BYO: toothbrush and moisturiser, shower cap.
✔️Towels : not pristine white but still usable. Not for the fussy. I bring disposable towels in case it is not up to my standards.
✔️Wash-basin & Taps : well-maintained.
✔️Steam closet: Sadly, no

BREAKFAST
This hotel doesn’t serve breakfast. It does not mattered there’s lots of good eateries around. There is minimart just behind the hotel. There is an excellent Namul bimbimbap restaurant a minute walk away. And there is a Mom’s Touch round the corner.
At the lobby, Sushi Mita is excellent.

What needs to improve for this hotel:
1. The horrible smell in the lifts. It can be simply resolved by putting air fresheners like Hetras .
2. Have more instructions in the room in multi-language. Only 49 rooms. It’s entirely do-able
3. Better housekeeping: Fire your existing provider. Make sure cleaned room doors are closed, not remain open.
4. Fix your freezer. It’s one of the basic stuff that most hotel would have.

CONCLUSION
Honestly, by renovating, this hotel is trying to improve but stuck in some old ways. Currently, this hotel will not cut it for the germophobjc. I am glad I stayed here for only 2 days because I hate rooms without windows. I would stay here again for rooms with windows and with the right pricing. It is definitely not as bad as some of the reviews I read.

Don't understand the bad reviews. Had a great stay here and the receptionist was very helpful, made calls for me multiple times when I needed a Korean's help.

Room given to us smells of cigarette. We called the reception, who understand little English, but did not send anyone to check our room. How disappointing

The young gentleman at the front desk was very helpful. He was the only one who was helpful, though. The other front desk staff, not so much. Every time we go to places or need something, we ask him, and he always helps. The rooms were clean and comfy bed. There was a cigarette burn on the floor, but the room did not smell at all. It's a smaller room if you compare it in america. But only the USA has huge rooms (for a regular hotel). They have free water bottles. They also have a café but never saw it open while staying there. Also has a salon inside the hotel. Do not lose your keycard coz you will have to pay. This hotel is across olive young and also near a train stop. Taxi isn't easy, but just ask help from the front desk, and they will get a taxi for you. This is walking distance from 7eleven and french bakery.