Best Western Premier Seoul Garden Hotel

Been to Seoul many times but first time staying in this area, mainly for Gongdeok Station which is an interchange for several useful subway lines. My top-choice hotel was unfortunately too expensive so I booked Seoul Garden Hotel for its value and location. I stayed in May 2026 for 4 nights with my partner. I arrived first at Incheon Airport on a night flight (past 10pm) so my primary concern when choosing a hotel is the convenience and night-time availability of an airport bus to the hotel. 6015 and 6702 go to the airport bus stop right in front of this hotel, so it was really convenient and fast (fast because Mapo-gu is much nearer to the airport as compared to say, Myeongdong or Gangnam). Check in was quick and I was able to converse in English to explain that my partner would only be checking in the next morning. ✅ Big room (by downtown Seoul standards) for this price. ✅ Room is quite clean, and although it looks dated, the equipment were well-maintained ✅ Charging ports and lights control panel by the bedside ✅ Large desk and an elevated area to place luggage ✅ Comfy mattress ❌ Pillows were too flat! 1 pillow was too flat, 2 pillows were too high, so I had to keep adjusting the pillows to make it 1.5-pillow tall 🤦🏻‍♀️ ❌ In-room shirts were provided, but why no bottoms? ❌ The in-room safe's door couldn't be closed properly, so I had to push it close whenever I'm closing the sliding door of the wardrobe. ✅ Big vanity countertop ❌ Vanity area needs a place to hang a hand towel ✅ Big mirrors, including a full-length one at the main door ✅ Bidet toilet ✅ Bath amenities were good quality ✅ Water disperser along the corridor (much more eco-friendly than providing plastic-bottled water!) ❌ The water disperser area was so dimly lit that we had to use our phone's torchlight to see what the buttons on the disperser are ✅ Housekeeping provided towels and water bottles in a bag outside even when DND is switched on ❌ I personally would like an option to opt out of receiving new towels and water bottles (as it's not a daily requirement for me) when requesting for no cleaning ❌ The lifts were too few so it can be a long wait during peak hours ✅ Great location! I personally love the area as the sidewalks are wide (doesn't feel as crowded as the older downtown places) and the hotel is walkable to Gongdeok Station, which connects directly to Hongdae/Sangsu, Seoul Station etc. (Southeast or northeast Seoul areas may feel quite far from here, so it really depends on your travel itinerary.) I also love the jokbal places at Gongdeok Market so it was great to be able to binge and drink and then walk back to the hotel :D

A 4 star hotel where I cannot have a gift delivered to a friend who is a guest here. Ridiculous. Jamez Kim at the reception, not only unfriendly but also clueless. First he says he needs the room rumber of my friend, then I ask my friend (which ruins the surprise), I tell Jamez Kim the room number and finally he says it is not possible - my friend needs to come down. Is this a bed and breakfast? From a hotel where business people are frequent guests I expected the minimum of service.

The location is very convenient, and it’s easy to find places to eat nearby. However, the facilities are a bit outdated. I booked a Superior Room, but it was a little below my expectations. The bed was quite small, which made me feel like I was staying in a dormitory. 😂

Seoul Garden Hotel has a comfortable old-school feel, and I appreciated that it seemed well maintained. The Mapo area is also a nice plus, with plenty of local dining options nearby, so it was easy to find something good to eat without going far. It’s the kind of place that feels convenient and reliable for a stay in Seoul.