Gutted this hotel ended up being rubbish! I’ve got another 5 nights here and I’m heartbroken I have to stay!
Firstly, there are some pros and if you're used to lower level hotels such as Travelodge/Premier Inn, this will be fine. It's perfectly clean, the staff are friendly (although the english speaking level isn’t good for a hotel) and the bed is comfy. However, there are many, many other problems.
Firstly, the breakfast is quite simply one of the worst breakfasts I've ever seen in any hotel anywhere in the world. As a vegetarian, I rely on the hotel breakfasts when I'm in Seoul to feed me for the day. This could not feed anybody. I got a full refund on my breakfast, and I certainly won't be having another one whilst I'm here.
Secondly, there is no room to put your stuff in the rooms. My room currently looks like a jumble sale as I am here for a week and I’m having to do what I can with the very limited space. There is no place for your underwear in general and socks so I’ve had to leave them in a carrier bag, and my bras are out on top of the fridge as there is no other option, not very homely! Generally there is no room to put your stuff! No room for accessories such as hats and no room in the bathroom to put anything but yet there is tons of space to allow for those things with some sensible and easy reworking of the room.
Compared to the other hotels on this road that I have stayed in, it is very noisy and you can hear the road pretty clearly day and night, along with an air purifier constantly gurgling away, so if you're sensitive to noise during sleep, this is not the place for you.
A small but disappointing thing is also the reading light. There are no bedside lights at all. When you push the button that says reading light, it turns on a massive light above your head, so you might as well have all the lights on. I ended up not reading because of this and will have to purchase a reading light I don’t need. On that note, there are no light switches by the door, so when you come into the room, if you haven’t left the lights on previously or leave your key in to cool the room, you have to turn on your torch on your phone so you can navigate the way to the bedside to turn on the lights.
The whole layout of the rooms and the hotel does not make logical sense and it needs seriously looking at. I’m really sad I’ve spent my money here and I’ll not be doing it again. I could go on with more but honestly it’s making me depressed. I cannot recommend this...
Read moreOf course! Here is a sample 5-star review for Lotte Hotel L7 Hongdae in English. It's written to be detailed, enthusiastic, and helpful for other travelers.
Title: Absolutely Perfect Stay in the Heart of Hongdae! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I recently stayed at Lotte Hotel L7 Hongdae for 4 nights, and it was the highlight of our trip to Seoul. From start to finish, the experience was exceptional.
Location: The location is simply unbeatable! It's directly connected to the Hongik University Station (subway line 2, airport railroad, and more), making it incredibly easy to get anywhere in Seoul. You step outside and you're right in the middle of the vibrant, youthful energy of Hongdau. Countless cafes, restaurants, street food stalls, shops, and nightlife are all just a 5-minute walk away. Perfect for explorers!
Room: We stayed in a Grand Suite room and it was fantastic. The room was modern, incredibly clean, and surprisingly spacious by Seoul standards. The bed was super comfortable, ensuring a great night's sleep after long days of sightseeing. The highlight was the amazing view of the Hongdae area from our window – especially beautiful at night. The smart toilet was a fun and luxurious touch!
Amenities: The rooftop bar and lounge, 7gram, is a must-visit even if you're not a guest. The views are spectacular, and the atmosphere is chic and relaxed. The gym had modern equipment, and the free Nespresso coffee machine in the lobby was a nice perk every morning.
Service: The staff truly went above and beyond. Everyone at the front desk was courteous, spoke excellent English, and was always ready to help with directions or recommendations. They made us feel very welcome.
Breakfast: We tried the breakfast buffet one morning, and it was delicious. A great mix of Korean and Western options, all very fresh and tasty.
I cannot recommend Lotte Hotel L7 Hongdae enough. It offers fantastic value for money, blending luxury, convenience, and style perfectly. I will 100% be staying here again on my next visit to Seoul. Thank you for a...
Read moreRecently stayed at L7 Hongdae and overall, it was an okay experience with both positive aspects and areas for improvement. The hotel's greatest strength lies in its excellent location, but I found it to be a bit pricy considering some of the shortcomings.
Let's start with the positives. The room size was decent and provided ample space for comfort during my stay. Additionally, having free access to the small gym was a nice perk. It allowed me to maintain my fitness routine without any added expenses. The hotel deserves credit for providing this amenity.
However, one disappointment was the charge for access to the pool. Although the pool was small but nice, it seemed a bit unnecessary to pay extra for it. Most customers would expect pool access to be included in the room rate, and it's a shame that it wasn't. This is an area where the hotel could improve by reconsidering their pricing structure.
Another aspect that could use improvement is the speed of the elevator. It was noticeably slow, and this could be frustrating for guests, especially during peak times when there is greater demand for elevator usage. A faster and more efficient elevator system would greatly enhance the overall experience at the hotel.
On a positive note, the customer service at L7 Hongdae was attentive, although a bit slow at times. While it's commendable that the staff was dedicated to keeping the rooms clean, the response time for certain requests could have been quicker. This is an area where the hotel could focus on improving efficiency to ensure a more seamless and prompt customer service experience.
In conclusion, L7 Hongdae has a great location and provides decently sized rooms with free access to the gym. However, the additional charge for pool access, slow elevator, and the need for quicker customer service are areas that could use improvement. Nonetheless, the staff's attentiveness and dedication to maintaining cleanliness were noteworthy. With some adjustments and enhancements, L7 Hongdae could provide an even better experience...
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