Search didn't result in my finding a dedicated thread to this property, so I thought I'd do the honours. Be aware, this is not a conventional report.
Continuing the new found austerity measures imposed upon me through guilting from an annoying colleague,
Fairfield Seoul [Master Thread] , I used 60,000 IHG points to stay at the HIX Seoul Euljiro for three nights. My first two in Seoul had been spent at the new Fairfield in Yeongdeungpo-gu, which I had actually quite enjoyed. Reviews of the HIX were somewhat mixed, and after spending time there, I would tend to agree. I took subway line 1 at Yeongdeungpo Station, and transferred to line 2 at City Hall Station, exiting from Exit 1 at Euljiro-3 Station. The 35 minute journey was comfortable and not at all crowded on a Sunday afternoon. Cost, an important factor in my new lifestyle, was a reasonable ₩1,400, once my ₩500 card deposit was refunded at Euljiro-3 station. As I stepped from the exit, I did a 360 to determine if I could get a visual fix on the HIX, which according to the excellent Seoul NAVER mapping app, should have been nearby. Almost immediately, a well dressed young man asked, in perfect English, if he could be of assistance. Hesitating for a moment, unsure I wasn’t about to get scammed, I decided he passed my con radar, and asked if he knew the location of the HIX. He did not, but he consulted an app on his phone and escorted me the 200 feet around the corner directly to the hotel’s entrance. I thanked him with sincere enthusiasm and some relief, feeling a bit sheepish that I had been unnecessarily wary of his good intentions. I entered the lobby, a simple and basic design not likely to have ever received any accolades for style or sophistication. I approached the closest of the two unoccupied FDA’s and handed her my passport. She found my reservation and acknowledged my ever so humble IHG Gold status. She confirmed the bedding type I had reserved, the length of stay and then provided me with three breakfast coupons, each stamped with my check-out date, and detailed the 06:30-09:30 service hours. Upon handing me the key card packet, she added that, as a Gold member, I could have a complimentary drink, pointing at a vacant area behind me. I wasn’t too interested, so I didn’t pursue the where and how. I later discovered that she had been pointing at a staircase that led to the basement breakfast area, which coincidentally also included a bar counter. A rather unorthodox setup, I thought.
Making my way up to my room on the 16th floor, I was amused when the elevator door opened and I immediately noticed the rather bold striped carpeting used in the corridors. Entering my room was even more jarring, as the carpeting there was a retro 70’s psychedelic design. Looking around, I couldn’t help but feel I was in an early 80’s Carnival cruise cabin. A lot of tan and white laminate with chrome. I was sorry not to have brought my bell-bottoms. The comparison between the Fairfield and HIX was truly striking. From what I had gathered, the HIX had been constructed in 2015, and the Fairfield in 2018. That three year span was more like two decades in conceptual design terms. The room was an ever so slightly more modern version of the Holiday Inns our family would frequent during our summer road trips in the 70’s. I suppose that formula works for certain of their clientele, as this was the only property, in recent memory, where I encountered a number of older North American couples who actually reminded me of my parents…and I’m a senior myself these days. The clientele at the Fairfield was a lot younger, and surprisingly, that extended to the tour groups that were there during my two night stay. My twin bedded room, the only type available for points redemption, was quite compact. I never actually used the table and chair set up near the window because that would have meant climbing over either the bed or table to reach the chair. The desk lamp was inordinately large for such a tight space. The telephone and clock radio took up much of the sole night table’s real estate. Setting my wife’s photo took up more, and my smartphone, the rest. Just enough space left for a coffee mug, barely. There was enough closet space for two, but the wardrobe had no doors, so it was open to the room. The bathroom lacked some degree of privacy, as the shower door served double duty as the actual bathroom door. It was either one or the other. The vanity was also a bit tight on space. It was enough for me, as a solo male traveler, but would be a challenge for two. The shower worked well, not overly complicated, and with good pressure and plenty of hot water. Shampoo and bath gel was provided by way of squeezable dispensers, whose simple operation was something I had recently discovered at the Fairfield. The shampoo had an unpleasant bug killer scent, but the bath gel was fine. Bar soap was also provided in cheesy non-brand standard packaging. The one advantage of this bathroom was in its use of a washlet toilet. Although not a TOTO, the lid top unit was still better than the regular unit used at the Fairfield. Another feature of the room which I also appreciated was the number of international plugs, both at the desk and bedside. There was a hot water kettle with tea bags, coffee sleeves and the usual condiments. A safe and a small fridge cube were built into the closets. There were two water bottles in the fridge, and I received two more during my stay. The views from both the HIX and the Fairfield were not awe inspiring, but at least from the HIX, I had a closer view of the mountains. Lighting and HVAC controls were also quite effective and up to date. I was able to set the room to a comfortable level and there was enough illumination to work almost anywhere in the room. Window coverings used for the narrow window were sheers and drapes, which while simple, were effective in keeping the room dark. Although the bed was comfortable and the room dark, the soundproofing was poor. I could hear the conversations and movements of the couple in the next room all too clearly. Thankfully, the noise abated later at night.
Breakfast in the basement, while not as pleasant an environment or as extensive as at the Fairfield, wasn’t terrible. Hard boiled eggs, hash browns, potato wedges, kimchi, braised cabbage, seaweed, congee, soup, wiener sausages, salad fixings, fresh and cut fruits, yogourt, breads and pastries provided a nice assortment. I was impressed with the fancy Gaggia espresso machine until I tasted the product it spewed. Splurge on the espresso machine, save on the coffee beans. I don’t usually eat sweets, but I tried a chocolate croissant and I was pleasantly surprised by its flakiness rather than it being spongy. Amazing what a convection oven and some Sysco Systems frozen baked goods can produce, yet seemingly beyond the realm of possibility for so many limited, and not so limited service operations. Service, although efficient, was somewhat gruff, lacking the finesse and polish of that offered at the Fairfield. It reminded me of a school cafeteria, move ‘em in, move ‘em out. I had my two breakfasts just before 07:00, skipping my last freebie due to an early flight. Quiet when I arrived, things started hopping about 30 minutes later, when I was leaving. There was signage at the hotel advertising an Italian lunch buffet for ₩15,000. I assumed it was offered in the same basement venue as breakfast, but I never checked.
There’s no doubt that the location of the HIX was well suited to tourists. It was convenient to the Lotte and Shinsegae department store flagships, walking distance to all the shopping stalls around Namdaemun, a skip and a hop away from Myeongdong Cathedral, a block from the Cheonggyecheon stream promenade and smack in the middle of the plumbing, lighting and home renovation suppliers that went on for block after block. No shortage of TOTO washlets, for those wanting to bring home an unforgettable, if not exactly Korean, souvenir. Seriously, the location was convenient to many of Seoul’s attractions. Line 2 was just outside the door, and the 6015 airport bus was across the street on the other side of Euljiro, near the corner of Supyoro. I took that bus, whose schedule begins at 04:23 at the aforementioned stop, to get to the airport. The fare was ₩1,5000 that I was able to pay on board in cash. The driver does not always have change, so bear that in mind should you use the service. I was somewhat surprised that the fare was more than ₩9,000 to get to and from the Fairfield. The 06:00 ride to ICN’s T1 took over an hour, about 70 minutes, largely due to an accident on the highway leading to the airport. Getting to T2 is listed as being ten minutes longer.
Well now, the burning question. Would I stay there again? Probably not. Given my experience, the Wine & Dine dinner option, the more sophisticated design and the superior English language and performance skills of staff, the Fairfield would be my first choice. It would appear that the battle of the budgets has been decided.
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Euljiro:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DTqa6CvUixoCt1u59
Holiday Inn Express Seoul Euljiro Breakfast:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gd2pG4oM5HtBBuMB7