I initially planned to stay in one of the guesthouses I had stayed in in 2012, but then I found these inexpensive guesthouses with pretty good ratings on Booking.com.
17-7 Seongam-ro, Mapo-gu, 121-849 Seoul
Directions: Take the subway to Gajwa Station (Gyeongui-Jungang Line), exit 1.
Kam Guesthouse is a small guesthouse with only two 6-bed dorm rooms (one room for males, one for females) and a one–bedroom apartment. WiFi is available throughout the guesthouse. The dorm rooms have a locker that can fit a backpack. Each bed has a power outlet. Each dorm room has its own toilet and bath. Towels, soap, and shampoo are provided. The rooms and toilets are cleaned daily. You can also use their washing machine for a fee. Breakfast of bread, jam, butter, biscuits, juice, tea, and coffee is also provided.
Dorm Bed KRW 15,000
One–Bedroom Apartment (up to 3 pax) KRW 60,000
Why stay in Kam Guesthouse:
- Exit 1 of Gajwa Station is just across the street.
- Hongdae, a university area filled with cafes, clubs, and shops, is just a 3-minute subway ride from Gajwa Station (the line that runs from Gajwa Station to Hongik Station runs every 15 minutes).
- Room and toilet are clean.
- The guesthouse is located in a quiet neighborhood.
- Prior to the trip, Kani, the owner was very responsive to queries.
- Kani is very friendly and spends time to chat with her guests.
- Kani is accommodating. My flight was delayed and I had to check in early in the morning, instead of the previous night, and she welcomed me even as she was rubbing off sleep from her eyes.
Why not stay in Kam Guesthouse:
- Although Kam Guesthouse is very near Gajwa Station, the line that runs through Gajwa Station to Seoul Station only comes every hour.
35-8 Huam-ro 57-gil, Yongsan-gu,140-821 Seoul
Directions: Take subway line 4 to Seoul Station, exit 12. The Airport line, Gyeongui-Jungang line, and Line 1 also go through Seoul Station, but these lines do not have access to exit 12 from underground.
Aroha Guesthouse has dorm rooms and private rooms, but none of the rooms have an ensuite toilet and bathroom. Towels, shampoo, and soap are provided. Breakfast of cereals, bread, jam, butter, milk, juice, coffee, and tea is provided. There is a TV and PCs in the common room. There is also a washing machine available if you need to do your laundry. WiFi is available throughout the guesthouse.
Dorm Bed KRW 26,000
Private Rooms from single to quad KRW 37,000 to 92,000
Why stay in Aroha Guesthouse:
- Aroha Guesthouse is just a 3-minute walk from exit 12 (Subway line 4) of Seoul Station.
- Room is neat and clean.
- Provided clear instructions on how to find the guesthouse.
- Private rooms are affordable.
- I stayed in a Single room and an extension wire was provided which allowed me to recharge my gadgets at the same time.
- If having your own toilet and bath is important, then this guesthouse is not for you. All rooms share a toilet and bathroom (5 T&Bs shared by 17 rooms).
On the map below, I have pinned all the places I have stayed in, except for the Airbnb accommodation near Seoul Station that I stayed in in 2014, because that's not on the Airbnb listing anymore.
South Korea on Three
South Korea Solo: Tangible Essentials
Six Apps for a Smooth South Korea Trip
Incheon: Tail End of Cherry Blossom Season
Seoul Stays: Kam Guesthouse and Aroha Guesthouse (you're here!)
(more soon)
Six Apps for a Smooth South Korea Trip
Incheon: Tail End of Cherry Blossom Season
Seoul Stays: Kam Guesthouse and Aroha Guesthouse (you're here!)
(more soon)