Holiday Inn Gwangju, Korea — Hotel in Gwangju

I usually stay at another big hotel brand in Gwangju Chipyeong-dong area and this is my first time to try HI Gwangju. I was hesitant at first because of the numerous reviews I've read about the location being quite inconveniently not near areas of interest.

It's a very good thing I tried the hotel. What it lacks of being in close proximity of your typical restaurants and shopping places, it most definitely made up for it with the excellent service and professionalism of the entire staff.

From the concierge, check-in counter, breakfast team, housekeeping and to the lobby lounge staff, they certainly won us over.

I frequent the area for business trip and this time I had my wife tag along with me due to the extended almost 3weeks length of my stay. I was concerned that she’ll get bored and impatient being in a hotel for that long and quite a distance away from places she might be of interests. Instead she learned from the staffs from the lobby (concierge and front desk) the ways around of public transportation available.

Armed with a street map and subway line schedule, she practically mastered her way around Gwangju and enjoyed the experience.

Our breakfast experience wouldn't be as special had not been for the fantastic team of Ms Jiang (I hope i'm saying it correctly) such as Sonny, Soji and also the chef.

Housekeeping was great and very accommodating of my request to always give us at least a couple of extra bottled water.

The concierge and front desk team are bar none very helpful and friendly. Just amazing. Mr Grant, Max, Mathew, Jacob, Thomas, Louis, and everyone else I can’t remember their names (my apologies) are just extremely professional.

The team at the lobby lounge by Soji is just amazing. She’s been very helpful and professional.

All I know is that the wife was very happy and grateful of the services and courteous attention they showed us.

The restaurants and shopping area are not all that far if you don’t mind a nice 15minute or so walk which is not that bad at all. The area is very safe even at late nights to walk around.

The hotel is no more than 10minute walk form the KDJ subway station. From there it’s only a skip and a hop to KWJ airport, Chungjang-ro street shopping or even to other local areas along the same subway line. It’s only KW1.2k per ride regardless where you get off.

Taxi fares from the hotel to just about anywhere near non-walking distance for shopping or eating is no more than KW10k

All in all the HI Gwangju did not disappoint, not at all. We’re really glad we tried this hotel on this trip.

Only draw back that really hit it was the AC. I was told being still in the winter season, the hotels does not turn on the AC instead you'll only use circulating air. Often times it's not enough though, all's good other than that.

We’ll definitely stay here again on next Gwangju business trip or even personal...

I was very very dissapointed when I stayed in this hotel so I want to write about what I've experienced there.

It's unbelivable story.

RESERVATION PROBLEM The hotel staff who got my reservation call made wrong reservation. On the phone, I told that I want to change the date and asked if there will be any extra charge to do so. The staff said there won't be any extra charge so change it on the website. But after changed the date on the website, I checked my bill and it was CHARGED. So I called the hotel again telling that it was charged, but the supervisor said "WE NEVER SAID THAT AT ALL, I THINK YOU ARE LYING. " What a non-sence.

I tried to talk what was wrong with their service, but what she said was "DON'T PICK AT WHAT I SAY. I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY AS WE DID NOTHING WRONG. SO CAN I HANG UP NOW?" I was so shocked. After this very rude phone call, I complained about it to the manager and he said he will offer room upgrade to Sweet room. So I accepted the offer. But once we got there, the room has set-up only for 2 people although we were 3 in total. So I had to make a call to request room set-up again for 3 people. It was very inconvenient and waste of my precious time, consdiering that they knew that 3 of us are coming.

ROOM CONDITION After all the happening, I unpacked my luggage and got myself to the bed. BUT, OH MY GOD.... SO UNBELIEVABLE. On the bed table, there was a USED CONDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DISGUSTING thin IN IT!!!!!!!! Can anybody believe it? I was so shocked and called guest service department. They said they will change the room. But it is not that simple pb. And I already unpacked my stuff. So I said I don't want to. What they brought me after the call was some fruit which I can find at the morning buffet.

I had really horrible experience there. Never wanna go there...

It was my first time to visit Gwangju to attend my friend's wedding ceremony on Saturday(August 6th, 2016).

I booked Holiday inn Gwangju because my friend said this is the best hotel in Gwangju.

The staff at front desk was good when we check-in.

Room was average like other holiday inn.

However, the tragic happen on Saturday morning(my friend's wedding day)

The iron in the room was overheated and burnt my dress that I was going to wear to attend the Wedding ceremony.

I immediately called and let the hotel know. Staff came to my room and took the iron to check the problem.

I was super panic because the wedding will be in 3 hours. My husband suggest to buy a new dress at outlet mall near hotel that he found the other day.

We ran to the mall and luckily found a dress quick enough.

After wedding, I was waiting to hear any news from the hotel but never heard anything till I check-out.

Service was terrible! They don't know how to deal with the problem.

Please do contact me how you gonna solve this problem. I still kept the burnt dress.

I left my contact at the hotel and you probably know how to reach me. I'm still very upset and...