Stay Report - 3/16-3/19:
Location: This is a really well located hotel for Seoul exploration. It's just outside Seoul Station which puts you on the 1 and 4 Metro Lines and connects you to the AREX (Airport Railroad) and Korrail regional and national rail trains. You can also walk to a lot of the big Seoul sights and you're a very short trip to some the best nightlife neighborhoods. Also, no issues getting a cab here.
Hotel: Definitely an older property (the lobby feels straight out of the 1970s) but it's in good repair. There are about ten restaurants on sight as well as a 24 hour casino and a number of stores. There's also a staffed business center just off the check in area.
Check In: Went well, the agent was very friendly and helpful and explained the hotel's features for me. However, she somehow goofed and authorized my credit card for 1.2 BILLION won (about $1.039 Million) which meant that when my friends who were stayed with me checked out they had to pay the incidentals because my card wasn't attached to the reservation. This was a little annoying.
Room: A bit on the small side, especially when we squeezed in a third bed. Also, it's old feeling, to use an outlet near the bed we had to unplug the ancient alarm clock/light control box that only worked half the time. But, there were western style outlets at the desk which was nice. The bathroom was also pretty small.
Lounges: For whatever reason, this hotel has two executive lounges, one on the 19th and one on the 21st floor. Both are the same design and have the same food. Breakfast ran from 6-10 and featured eggs, pancakes, french toast and breakfast meats as well as one Asian dish. There was also cereal, cold cuts, fruit and breads. Evening appetizers featured a decent liquor selection, rotating hot dishes (chicken and beef one night, tofu pockets the next), salads and bread. Do note that the lounges can get very crowded but that service there is great.
Overall this is a decent hotel, it's a big step down from the Conrad but in a great location. It's worth staying at for the right price but could do with a refurbish.