Stayed in December 2010

Very friendly staff, spoke english very well!

Can I just say that the sleep is beautiful? The mattress, pillows and doona are probably made out of clouds. It was so soft and we were in heaven.

It is a short walk from Jogno-sam ga station. Tucked away in a little alleyway. We found the room extremely comfortable it was small, but clean and cosy. It was immaculately cleaned each day and the heating system gives off the perfect temperature.

Short taxi ride away from Myeong Dong which we visited very often (huge shopping district). Don't mind that it's not as 'central' as other hotels because the subway system is so easy to use in South korea anyway, and it was a nice trade off for the quiet location.

Would recommend this hotel!

Good:

1) I called the hotel for directions prior to going and the call staff gave pretty accurate directions to the hotel from Jongno-3(sam)ga station (Exit 15, turn left into the alley beside the pharmacy, turn right onto the 3rd street and you will have the hotel on your left side).

2) The hotel's location is a v good one, Jongno-3(sam)ga station is located on 3 subway lines (1,3,5) which makes it easy to get to other places from here. It is only 5 mins away from Dongdaemum via cab, while Myeongdong is 3 stops away.

3) There is a cheap and affordable restaurant along the alley you walk from the station to the hotel. It serves good grilled fish, and it has good kimichi and potato as side dishes. This restaurant has been featured on KBS before and it only cost us 18,000 won for 3 people.

4) Friendly reception staff - they will greet you warmly whenever you enter or leave the hotel. When we checked out of the hotel, they helped us to store our baggage till evening time as our flight was at midnight and it was troublesome to lug the luggage around.

5) Hotel heaters had a central control system, but they had individual controllers in the rooms for you to adjust your own temperatures accordingly.


Bad:

1) Room size and fittings do not reflect the pictures in the website. We booked a double deluxe room which should have a tub and additional table and chairs we could sit around in the room but what we were given looked exactly like the standard room and when we questioned the staff about it, they said they didn't have such a room and those amenities.

2) Bathroom basin is at a wheelchair friendly height - However for the normal person, because the basin is at a low height, bending over for a few minutes washing your face can cause a backache.

3) We had breakfast at B2 of the hotel which used to be an old theatre. Lack of heaters made it cold, n food spread was limited. Service was lacklustre as staff stood at a corner chit-chatting.

Great location and great value. Rooms are clean, comfortable and cozy.
Area is very near all major attractions around Seoul.
Although, hidden in a little side street, once you get a hang of it, it becomes a haven in bustling Seoul.

This is my 3rd stay in Doulos Hotel. Since I have learned about this hotel, i no longer look for other hotels. I think this is one of the most reasonably priced hotels in Seoul central. My first hotel stay in Seoul is at Best Western New Seoul Hotel within the Financial district, because of the location the hotel price is really expensive considering the amenities, room size and service. I would definitely choose Doulos compared to this hotel.

Average stay cost about 100USD for twin sharing and if you are lucky they do run promos and you might just get a room stay at about 70USD a month on a good season. The place is not easy to find first time but its very accessible. The hotel is situated in an inner road parallel to the main road Jongno-gil. The hotel is easily accessible via bus or MTR but if you prefer taxi it costs around 70,000won (without traffic) while Bus ride is just 10,000won from Incheon airport at bus station 5B - Bus no 6002, the bus stops at Jongno 3-ga station (samga pronounced in Korean). While the AREX or the Airport Railroad Express can take you to Seoul Station for 13,300won then you can hop in Line 1 of the MTR and get off at Jongno 3-ga station (exit 2). We prefer the Bus especially if you are arriving late night and if you have big luggage to carry.

The hotel is very decent despite the not so delightful environment, there are at least 4 motels along the hotel's perimeter and tons of crystal makers. In my 3 stays there i have never encountered any thing that will make me worry walking late at night. The hotel is so accessible that you can just take a walk to some really nice tourist spots in Seoul. The size of the room is just so right for its price and it comes with a free breakfast served from 7am to 9am. The room is very clean, towels and linens are always fresh. Its also nice that they provide daily refills of complimentary bottled water (Evian and another coca cola water brand) and chocolates.

The toiletries are complete unless you have preferred brand, their shampoo, rinse (conditioner), body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste are good. They have razor, cotton buds and small lotion and facial toner, isn't it amazing? All these they have which the other hotel i mentioned fell short with considering their price of 185USD per night.

I would say the front desk people are capable of communicating in English. They are very helpful. If they can extend help in sourcing out some items you need they will lend a helping hand at no cost at all. They can help you book tours and pay the price that is indicated in the tour brochures, get something sent to someone, reserve a taxi, ask directions of tips. They are really very helpful and courteous.

The hotel is near Insadong, this place is really nice. You can buy a lot of Korean souvenirs here and eat some of the best food. The small alleys within Insadong are Hanok style houses and restaurants (traditional Korean house). Right before reaching Insadong is the Tapgeol Park with the oldest pagoda in Seoul. If you walk along Insadong and reached the other side (Angguk side) you can turn right and the Changdeokgung and Secret Garden is there. If you want to go to other places in Seoul the hotel is 1 minute walk from the hotel to Jongno-3ga station where Line 1,3 and 5 is available. From this station you can reach so many places that are just 2 or 3 stations away like Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, Seoul Station (which takes you to nearby provinces) etc.

All rooms have small fridge to cool drinks which you can bring in from outside. The AC works as heater during winter and all rooms have humidifier.

Overall i think this hotel will always be my first choice when in Seoul unless its fully booked. This hotel is recommended for couples and friends traveling. For families if you have kids i think if you have 1 to 2 little kids, the room will be good enough but its not recommended for those with grown ups already unless you stay on separate rooms.