Hostel Korea Original image

Hostel Korea Original

Hostel

Simple rooms in a relaxed hostel offering Wi-Fi & breakfast, as well as a communal kitchen. People often mention room, good, hostel, price, cheap, bathroom, clean, private, reception, area,


Address

20-12 Jong-ro 65-gil, Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Website

original.hostelkorea.com

Contact

+82 2-762-7406

Price rating

$15/night

Rating on Google Maps

3.90 (275 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: room (21) good (12) hostel (11) price (10) cheap (10) bathroom (9) clean (8) private (7) reception (7) area (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 Gigi S. 5 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    I've lived in better hostels than this for about the same price. I'm also not one to leave reviews, especially damning ones, but I really think this should serve as a warning to others. For reference, I booked the private room with an en suite bathroom. Location: It's a short walk to the main road but it's in a dark and quiet alley. It doesn't feel safe coming back late at night or leaving early in the morning before the sun rises. Cleanliness: I'm a very frequent traveller and this has got to be one of my worst experience ever. I'm not a picky traveller, and I can make do with hostels or 2 star hotels, but this place just makes me dread going back after a full day out. Luckily, I was only staying here for 2 nights. It was so bad that I was contemplating finding another accommodation but I decided to tolerate just 1 more night. The reception area is messy. We are expected to change out of our shoes and wear their slippers. Slippers that other people have worn. We don't get our own slippers. We pick one from the shoe rack. The room itself smells musty and there were so many moulds on the floor, the walls, the bedsheets, and the furniture. The bathroom has the worst smell of all and it makes me dread using it. Not only is it very smelly, but it's also very dirty and narrow (it's not even an arm's length). The sink is literally the size of your hand. Moving around the bathroom, especially while showering, is very challenging, and I'm a petite Asian girl. Neighbourhood: Even though the location doesn't feel safe, the neighbourhood as a whole is pretty good. Many convenience stores and eateries. Transport and airport shuttle is just a short walk too. Service: The front desk is nonexistent. They only have a phone which you have to call, and then someone will come to help check you in. Other than that, you don't see them. The lady who tended to me was nice so that's one positive thing about this place. Amenities: I didn't use the common space and laundry area so I can't comment on that. But I do notice they have an ironing board between floors 2 and 3. There's also no elevator so if you're carrying heavy luggage, there's a good amount of steps to climb. For the private room, we were given a table and chair, and a pole with hangers to hang our clothes. No towel is provided but there was a hairdryer and body soap. There was a mini fridge too but I didn't open it or use it. The blanket is thick and warm enough but the pillow is so flat that it leaves me with a sore neck. Honestly, I don't even know if this place breaches and safety violations seeing how filthy it is. The filth is very evident in all the moulds and stench. I understand that this is a budget hostel but it's very rundown and I was questioning the whole time if this place can pass living condition inspections. I wouldn't recommend this place. Either find somewhere else or top up a bit of money and get a cheap hotel.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Martina Vanžurová P. 7 months ago on Google • 421 reviews
    It should be awsome place. Plus really is, that you can do laundry on yourself. It is available kitchen, where you can cook. Great is Refill. But horewer it is dirty. Two days and no one clean the sink full of dirty water. It should be better customer servise, not just some nummber where you call. We had problem with check-in, but it was little bit our fault. Our plane was late. They transport us to other hotel, which was nice... But enoying.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Cécile F. 1 year ago on Google • 37 reviews
    Don't get fooled by the pictures and the positive comments from a couple years back... This place hasn't been cleaned since. The first room I got was not just disgusting but unsanitary. The floor was covered in mold, the fan by dust, and the bathroom window by dead mosquitoes. Turns out the fridge (also disgusting) was leaving, which means there was a puddle of water in front of it, where an electric cable rested... I changed room (by myself, the guy at thé reception is never there), which wasn't as bad, but was still dirty. The fridge was never cleaned, there are stains on the sheets, mold in the bathroom, and the sink didn't even have a proper water evacuation: the pipe just leaked on the floor ! Don't stay here, run from this place !
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 J H. 1 year ago on Google • 41 reviews
    Hostel Korea. Would not recommend. Only positive is we got a private room. Otherwise quite loud and the lobby is very messy. Toilets are all shared and horrible, see video. Not clean at all and constantly soaked wet as the shower is above the toilet and sink. Works in an emergency but you should put your money somewhere else. At least the door is unlocked. You decide if that’s good or not.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Isaqul lslam B. 4 months ago on Google • 31 reviews
    his 2-star Hostel Korea - Original is 1.9 km away from Gwangjang Traditional Market, while Dongdaemun Design Plaza is just 1.1 km away.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Wendy V. 4 months ago on Google • 18 reviews
    If you want it cheap in Seoul and are not afraid of a lot dirt: Go for it. Otherwise we cannot recommend it. There is no reception and just a phone to call someone helping you to check in. The shower wasn't cleaned within our stay of 4 days. At least the washing machine is for free and they are clean - but that is basically the only thing. This is not a place to socialize. The neighborhood is safe and very quite.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 unai Miguel A. 7 years ago on Google
    I stayed here for 5 weeks, and I really enjoyed it. The staff is really friendly and ready to assist you when needed. They also made a party one of the nights for guests. the single room was the big enough. however the star of the hostel I would say that it is the kitchen. IcookeIt was well equipped and by cooking there I save lot of money
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Natalia S. 5 years ago on Google
    Pretty good hostel, extremely cheap and good for travellers. Location was great. We arrived after reception hours but they still answered the phone and came to let us in which was very nice. Room was of course extremely plain as was expected but since we only used our room to sleep, it was perfect for our needs. Bathrooms were quite ugly and small. Otherwise despite the reception lobby being quite messy, the hostel was surprisingly neat. We didn't take advantage of the free breakfast but that is also a plus. For the cheap price we paid everything was very good.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Сергей �. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice , very cheap One day 13 000 won
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vensky Ghaniiyyu Putri P. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice place, suitable for single traveler.

  • 3/5 Azlina A. 4 years ago on Google
    I booked a private room with a single bed. The room was adequate and warm enough for autumn. The hostel is a bit far from the main attraction areas, so although the room was not expensive, transportation costs do add up.

  • 5/5 Maddy B. 3 years ago on Google
    Cheap, nice private rooms and well located on line 1

  • 4/5 Zishan R. 2 years ago on Google
    It's good not bad cheap price also....... ....................☆☆☆☆

  • 4/5 Linus F. 11 months ago on Google
    Very cheap rooms and good amenities. Cleanliness could be increased and we had a significant water leakage in our room.

  • 5/5 11 1 year ago on Google
    + My room is hygienic, spacious for the price and smells good. + The bed is super comfy that i had pleasant sleeps every night + My private bathroom also clean, spacious, got hot water, they provide toothpaste, shampoo, body wash n conditioner. They even provide toothbrush ready for you in the 1st floor in case you didn't bring any. + There were also small towel and big towel in 1st floor for free to use. + My room got a window which is very pretty scenery outside when the snow were falling especially. It is a little cold but you can adjust it by your own since there is portable heater in the room. I even opened the window every morning for ventilation purpose. The owner is super kind enough always making sure if my room is super cold or not, and gave extra bed heater thank you 👍🏻 + There is also mini fridge, TV with 60+ channels 😂, and hair dryer in the room. The WIFI also have a strong connection, the best ! + Can do a laundry in 2nd floor which is a very plus mark here considering the price of the room compared to other guesthouses with no washing machine. You can pay a small fee in the money coin box to use washing machine and the dryer. They got 3 washing machines and 1 dryer. They even prepared the detergent for you. Very cool isn't? + The kitchen, it was almost like at home, there are stove, microwave, water dispenser, rice cooker, toaster, coffee maker, blender, all sort of pots n utensils, plates, bowls, mugs and so on. Can cook and use the utensils without worry, and made sure to wash our dish before leaving the kitchen ! It's common sense hehe. Manners maketh man. Simple breakfast like bread, jam, instant coffee also prepared. Make your own toast with a cup of coffee. The kitchen is a shared place to meet other guests from around the world. I made a lot of friends in the kitchen hehe + The owner and the staff are very kind and helpful. They will try to give you the best and comfort accommodation. + The location itself is very strategic. Within 5mins walk, there are local marts, convenience store, coffee shop, side dish store, pizza store, chicken store (non-halal, go to Itaewon for halal foods) and lots more. Worry not ! For about 10mins walk, you can go to Daiso, Olive Young, Paris Baguette, Tours Les Jours, Woori Bank, Mega Coffee and many more. + Apart from the facilities nearby, you can catch bus in Dongmyo Ap bus stop (01044) or Sinseoldong Lottery bus stop (01243), both need to walk around maybe less than 10mins. There is subway station Sinseoldong exit 11 and 12 nearby the bus stop or Dongmyo Station exit 1. It is easy peasy to move around and visit a place. You can catch airport bus as well at Dongmyo Ap stop. +The most important thing i love the fact this hostel located in residential area. A lot of CCTVs inside the property and around the neighborhood, woke up with listening to local getting ready for work, sometimes can see kids go and back from school, make a friend with halmoeni in front of the hostel. I love the korean vibe ! + It's also close to DDP (only 3 stops with bus 420), Dongdaemun Heunginjimun (go during sunset, it is spectacular. Only 1 stop with 720 or 370 bus), Gwangjang Market (only 3 stops with 370 bus) , Jongno Shrine, Tapgol Park in front of Insadong cultural area, Seongbukcheon (its a stream, can go by walking, even prettier at night), the famous Dongmyo Flea Market where you can get a lot of pre-loved or new clothes with cheap price. Overall, i am satisfied with the price and room here. The price is really cheap compared to others but have more facilities ready. It's exceed my expectations and will repeat here if ever come back to Korea again in future.

  • 5/5 Derek 10 months ago on Google
    A reasonably good guest house in an interesting part of Seoul. An area of street markets and flea markets that is quite extensive also the Cheonggyecheon riverside walk nearby.

  • 5/5 Ryan D. 10 months ago on Google
    I WALKED IN THE ROOM, FELT LIKE A BIG BALLOON!!

  • 1/5 Enni R. 1 year ago on Google
    Worst experience ever its cold and uncomfortable please do not come there

  • 4/5 Vladislav M. 4 years ago on Google
    Kinda comfortable place to stay in case if you're real man of traveling! There's actually nothing to compare with hotels. Good price and comfortable beds. Kind and helpful owner is always around, in case if not there's a phone and his phone number to call him. Small bathroom, but it doesn't matter, because what can you expect from a hostel with low prices? Not noisy, always clean rooms, also there's a map guide with anything you want to know what's in this area. Really loved it and gonna stay here next time.

  • 4/5 Khoo B. 1 year ago on Google
    Home stay concept. Clean, safe and reasonable price.

  • 4/5 Francisko “Jonny Walking” R. 3 years ago on Google
    Free keeping of guests luggage, even after check out, very convenient. Some breakfast, free of charge coffee and tea, nice host

  • 5/5 Zahira O. 6 years ago on Google
    If you're on a budget, this hostel is the place to go. The bathroom (private or shared) can be a bit small for some people (but since I'm small-sized it wasn't a problem for me) but pretty clean. Bed was clean and comfortable. No need for AC since the temperature outside was already cold, but the floors were heated during the night to keep your feet warm. Free breakfast starting 8.30 AM with basic cereal, toast and jams, tea, coffee, milk, and juice. One extra dish was provided everyday (you can get choco pie, or eggs on the next day). Staffs were friendly, and the boss helped me to carry my big luggage all the way from and to the 3rd floor. Location wise is very strategic, if you go out of the hostel and go to the right you can go to the subway station while to the left you can go to the bus station. Pharmacy, restaurants, and convenience stores are also nearby.

  • 5/5 Jacek W. 5 years ago on Google
    Late arrival was not problematic, the room had 2 beds so it was more comfortable than sharing it with a dozen of strangers, the toilets were a bit claustrophobic. English speaking staff, pocket WiFi possible for a small fee - it doesn't work perfectly but it helps a lot outside. Everything you need was there including toiletries. For a short stay, when sleeping cheap is your priority I recommend it.

  • 4/5 Junice G. 6 years ago on Google
    A clean and decent place to stay in Seoul when you're working on a budget. The room we booked was small good for 2 persons generally, but we added a bed. It has a bunk bed, blower, small TV, own bathroom, and towels that can be requested from the reception. They also have free internet access in all rooms and the connection was fast. There's just no free toiletries, and if you want to avail, they offer it in the reception for a minimal fee. The booking comes with a breakfast consists of bread, cookies, coffee or tea, milk or juice, which was served in the common kitchen area. Just manage your expectation cause this is a budget hostel. All in all, the experience was good.


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