The Cube Hotel
This is a solid choice for budget-conscious solo travellers looking for a private sleeping space in a central Seoul location, provided they are prepared for the inherent compromises of capsule accommodation.
The Cube Hotel in Seoul offers a distinctive cube-style sleeping experience, providing a good degree of privacy within its shared dormitories. While the beds are generally comfortable, some guests have noted issues with cleanliness and, more significantly, a lack of ventilation within the pods, leading to stuffiness. Shared bathrooms are equipped with basic toiletries, though hot water can be inconsistent and dry changing areas are absent. The hotel's prime location near Myeongdong station is a consistent highlight, offering easy access to attractions, dining, and transport. Common areas and a rooftop provide opportunities for relaxation and social interaction, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. Despite some drawbacks regarding luggage space and occasional noise, the hotel is considered a good value option for budget-conscious travellers.
Autonomous check-in and check-out processes are in place, and while staff are friendly, their presence at reception is limited. The included breakfast, though simple, is appreciated by guests.
♀ Reviews mention segregated floors for female and male guests.
Stations & airport.
Distances measured from the hotel. Walking times assume a gentle pace with a backpack.
- Station223 m3 min walk
- Station225 m3 min walk
- Myeongdong236 m3 min walk
Eleven dimensions of capsule life, read from 1,045 reviews.
Noise & sleep
Noise can be an issue at night, with guests talking loudly in common areas past midnight, making it difficult to sleep. However, one review did mention a quiet environment.
“It gets a bit noisy at night and it's hard to sleep. The rules aren't really followed since everyone pretty much talks loudly in the common area after midnight 🫣”
“The cleaning, the quiet environment.”
Pod comfort
While some found the beds comfortable and spacious, there are recurring complaints about cleanliness, with one guest finding hair in their sheets. Ventilation within the pods is also a significant issue, with guests reporting them getting hot and stuffy.
“The bed was a bit nasty - I had more than just a few strange hair in my sheet. Not sure whether it was changed before my arrival.”
“The bed was comfortable.”
“The hostel was clean and the bed was pretty spacious”
Privacy
Guests appreciate the privacy offered by the cube-style beds, describing them as 'pretty private' and providing a sense of intimacy.
“Nice place sleep and pretty private”
“love the cube layout design of the beds in the rooms - super nice!”
“comfortable bed with intimacy”
Cleanliness
Cleanliness receives mixed reviews. While some guests found the hostel clean, others reported issues with dirty sheets, overflowing trash cans in bathrooms, and hair on bathroom floors, despite daily cleaning.
“The bed was a bit nasty - I had more than just a few strange hair in my sheet. Not sure whether it was changed before my arrival.”
“you have to put the toilet paper in the trash can, but the trash cans were almost always full! disgusting!”
“The hostel was clean and the bed was pretty spacious”
Shared bathrooms
Showers are generally well-equipped with toiletries and towels, and there are enough facilities even during busy periods. However, there are significant complaints about inconsistent hot water and the lack of a dry changing area, leading to wet and dirty floors outside showers.
“showers are nice too and have soap,shampoo and conditioner provided and a small towel you can grab on the toilet,”
“hot water hardly ever works. It normally is cold water, with random bursts of scolding hot water - not pleasant at all”
“there were enough showers and toilets, which made everything comfortable even during busy times.”
Luggage storage
Luggage storage is a significant drawback, with multiple guests reporting insufficient space in rooms for suitcases, often requiring them to repack in common areas. Lockers are only suitable for valuables.
“The size of the rooms. If there are all 6 people in the room with their luggage, their is almost no space. It is difficult even to open your suitcase if it's not the samllest one. You can only repack in common area.”
“8 people are crammed into one room, so it can get pretty stuffy at night. There’s also not much space for suitcases.”
“The rooms coul also be bigger as you have no space to really open your luggage and you always have to take it out of the room!”
Staff & check-in
The property offers autonomous check-in/out, which is appreciated. Staff are described as friendly when present, but their availability at reception is limited, making it difficult to resolve issues like theft. Laundry service is available for a fee.
“you can also wash your clothes for a small fee if you ask the staff.”
“The atmosphere was very pleasant, with respectful guests, and the autonomous check-in and check-out process made everything smooth and easy.”
“Someone stole my personal towel while I was there, that was a bit weird…and there’s no staff at the reception you can only reach my message so it was a bit hard to solve the situation. Everything else was perfect”
Location & access
The Cube Hotel boasts an excellent location, frequently highlighted by guests as being central, close to Myeongdong subway/bus station, numerous tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants. It is considered very convenient for exploring Seoul.
“the location around that hotel is super near a lot of tourism attraction”
“Great location! You are exactly where you need to be in Seoul”
“the location , the comfort and even when it seems to be a small cube it works perfectly”
Atmosphere
The hotel fosters a pleasant atmosphere with respectful guests. Common areas and a rooftop are available, making it easy for guests to relax and socialize.
“the common area made it easy to socialize.”
“The common area and rooftop were great places to relax and meet others.”
“The atmosphere was very pleasant, with respectful guests”
Value for money
Guests generally consider The Cube Hotel to offer good value for money, especially given its excellent location and included breakfast. It is seen as an affordable option for budget and solo travelers.
“The breakfast amazing with that kind of budget”
“I’d stay give them the benefit of the doubt regarding the sheets. Great location and a good budget option for travellers”
“A very convenient stay that worth the pay”
The honest drawbacks, from guests.
- poor pod ventilation
- limited luggage space in rooms
- inconsistent hot water in showers
- occasional noise from common areas
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