At Hostel Korea Original, you'll be just a 5-minute drive from Myeongdong Street and Korea University. Also, Dongdaemun History and Culture Park and Namsan Mountain Park are just a 5-minute drive away. Public transportation is just a short walk: Sinseol-dong Station is 5 minutes and Dongmyo Station is 8 minutes.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Russian, Thai
At a glance
Hotel size
33 rooms
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in/out available
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Restrictions related to your trip
Check COVID-19 restrictions.
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 2:00 AM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
No cribs (infant beds)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
No onsite parking
Transfers
Airport shuttle on request (available 24 hours)*
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Shared microwave
Shared refrigerator
Water dispenser
What to do
Access to nearby outdoor pool
Working away
Business center
Computer station
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Multilingual staff
Facilities
1 building/tower
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Television in common areas
Mosquito nets
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair-accessible lounge
Room amenities
Be entertained
Television
Cable TV channels
Home comfort
Heating
Slippers
Iron/ironing board (on request)
Laundry detergent
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
What to enjoy
Balcony
Fireplace
Separate dining area
Heated floors
Freshen up
Shower only
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi
Electrical adapters/chargers
Food and drink
Refrigerator
Shared kitchen access
More
Daily housekeeping
Guidebooks/recommendations
Local maps
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Airport shuttle service is offered for an extra charge of KRW 45000 per vehicle (one-way)
Late check-out can be arranged for an extra charge of KRW 1000 (subject to availability)
Children & extra beds
Rollaway beds are available for KRW 6000.0 per day
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's a fire extinguisher on site.
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Also known as
Hostel Korea Original Seoul
Korea Hostel
Korea Original Seoul
Hostel Korea Original Seoul
Hostel Korea Original Guesthouse
Hostel Korea Original Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
Hostel Korea Original Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Seoul
Frequently asked questions
Does Hostel Korea Original offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Hostel Korea Original does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Hostel Korea Original?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Hostel Korea Original?
Sorry, there's no onsite parking at Hostel Korea Original.
Is airport shuttle service offered by Hostel Korea Original?
Yes, an airport shuttle is available. The charge is KRW 45000 per vehicle one-way.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Hostel Korea Original?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge of KRW 1000 (subject to availability). Express check-in and check-out and contactless check-in and check-out are available.
Is there an onsite casino at Hostel Korea Original?
No, this hostel doesn't have a casino, but Seven Luck Casino Millennium Seoul Hilton Branch (6-min drive) and Seven Luck Casino Seoul Gangnam Branch (10-min drive) are both nearby.
What is there to do at Hostel Korea Original and nearby?
Hostel Korea Original has access to a nearby outdoor pool.
Does Hostel Korea Original have any outdoor private spaces?
Yes, every room features a balcony.
What's the area around Hostel Korea Original like?
Hostel Korea Original is in Jongno-gu, a short 5-minute walk from Sinseol-dong Station and 14 minutes' walk from Korea University.
Hostel Korea Original Reviews
Reviews
7.2
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
6.6/10
Cleanliness
7.6/10
Staff & service
6.6/10
Amenities
6.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
6.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
Sep 10, 2024
Zachariah
Zachariah, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Aug 28, 2024
Very nice for the cost! Inexpensive place to sleep and leave my bags in a central area it was easy to see so much of Seoul. The place was quiet and nothing was too dirty. Would absolutely stay here again!
Michael
Michael, 6-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
2/10 Poor
Jul 25, 2024
First, this hotel is hard to find even if you have Google Maps. Then, there is often no front desk staff. Then it is DIRTY. I am actually concerned about whether this place meets fire codes.
Here was my big problem: the wifi died in my room. I was told by a staff member that I just had to accept that - people in another room had possibly done something to the router.
Because I need wifi for work, I rebooked to another hostel. I expected Hostel Korea to return my fees for the days I did not stay there. They promised wifi, I was told I could not have it, and I had to find a place where I could do work.
First a guy agreed in writing to refund my fees, then he refused to pay me. It was crazy. Poor moody guy.
So I am assuming that if a person has trouble here, the person will not be helped and if he/she leaves to find a more responsible hostel, the person will not receive a refund even if the owner/manager initially agrees.
Furthermore, Expedia will do nothing to help you. So this is it for Expedia. I'll use another service.
I know this hostel is cheap and many of us are on a budget, but I do not think it would be wise to go into a dirty place where they may just not help you and you will feel forced to move anyway.
Tyere is a really nice hostel called Sunrise Inn Dongdaemun very close by. They will treat you with respect there and it is CLEAN.
Daniel
Daniel, 9-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
May 15, 2024
Gabriel Luis
Gabriel Luis, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
May 12, 2024
Easy access to rail and bus stations. Lots of restaurants nearby.
Yong
Yong, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
May 9, 2024
Cheuk Chung
Cheuk Chung, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Apr 17, 2024
It's great value. Clean. Private room. There's no one at the front desk until later in the afternoon, so don't lock yourself out of the room early on a Sunday morning.
Steven
Steven, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Apr 10, 2024
Cheap place to stay. They didn't have the double bed we reserved so put in a twin room. Hot rooms no A/C. Toilets and shower are in the same small room so needs cleaning frequently which does not seem to happen. Kitchen is alright nothing special. Found used floss sticks on the desk upon entry to the room as well which questioned the cleanliness. Good location, close to metro and markets.
Sam
Sam, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Feb 21, 2024
Good location. Scruffy, but quiet
Jelena
Jelena, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
Oct 23, 2023
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 molds on the wall/floor/bedsheet/furniture/bathroom 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.
Entica Narciso
Entica Narciso, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Jul 3, 2023
This place is definitely cheap which is great, but the building is a little rundown and the bathrooms were very unkept.
Laura
Laura, 3-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Apr 6, 2023
The location is convenient, close to underground. Around 15 mins if walking to Dongdaemun.
The room especially the toilet is smelly even not in use for a day.
kristy
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
Aug 10, 2021
Fleas
Verified traveler
6-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
May 27, 2020
Verified traveler
6-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 13, 2020
Short but excellent!
It was a short but amazing. The room was being upgraded as the reservation was overlapped with other guest. Great job!
Verified traveler
1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Feb 13, 2020
Great, feel like own home. Friendly staff ^^ i will stay again next time.
Arparus(penny)
Arparus(penny), 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Oct 6, 2019
Verified traveler
3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Sep 2, 2019
Verified traveler
2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
Mar 1, 2019
Although brief, we had an amazing stay in Hostel Korea. Seoul was beautiful and the hostel was brilliant value for money and very comfortable with great facilities
Hannah
Hannah, 4-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
Feb 2, 2019
An average hostel, suitable for travellers (students) on a tight budget. Convenient location and helpful staff. Located in a quiet area with easy access to public transport.
Mari
Mari, 3-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Sep 13, 2018
The room was clean and simple, the owner was very kind and helpful and the other guests were pleasant. However the provided breakfast during our stay was very scarce, only toast and jam.
Verified traveler
5-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Aug 2, 2018
Hostel Korea
The area that this Hostel is located in is very convenient. You are close to Dangdaemun Shopping mall, Dongmyo Station, Imperial Palace, local food shops, and much more. Beds are comfortable and overall clean. Bathrooms are a little sketchy, but this place is such a great deal! So cheap. Highly recommend for anyone staying a week or less or just looking to save a lot of money. Helpful and nice service as well!
Emilyann
Emilyann, 7-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
May 12, 2018
No air con when i came at May,its a bit hot at day time
But overall i think its good,next time if i go Korea alone i will choose this hostel again!
Yam
Yam, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very Good
Mar 25, 2018
On the most part it was clean and the bedroom was good. We went to check in from 1 pm as hotels.com said but they said this was wrong and it's from 3pm so we had to wait over an hour in their cold outdoor common area. The shower and toilet is also one room which was very strange and not a good arrangement for use. The shared kitchen area was small and dirty.
Lucy
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very Good
Dec 14, 2017
Convenient hotel
Close to subway station
Friendly staff will guide you.
The rooms are cozy and warm.
It is convenient to have a convenience store nearby.
I always want to use it when I come to Seoul.