8/10 Good
Jayson, Aiea
Sep 26, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A Hidden Gem in Authentic Seoul
If you're seeking an authentic Seoul experience away from the tourist areas, then I recommend Grid Inn. This boutique hotel sits in one of Seoul's working-class neighborhoods and that's precisely its charm.
The staff here are warm and attentive, treating guests like friends rather than room numbers. I was able to practice my traveller's Korean with them. Rooms are clean, and any housekeeping requests are handled promptly.
But you are not here for the rooms. You're here for the convenient location. The hotel is in Jingo district central Seoul, away from the hotel districts like Myeongdong (which is a fifteen minute bus ride away). Step outside and you're in narrow alleys lined with family-run shops, where the aroma of dried fish (which some tourists may not like) comes from nearby. The main thoroughfare and subway station is just a five-minute walk away, but this pocket of Seoul feels like a local secret. Gwangjang Market is just a 3 minute bus ride away (it was too hot to walk in July).
Fair warning: This area isn't sanitized for tourists. The neighborhood wears its working-class character proudly for example weathered storefronts, noisy traffic, and narrow alleys. If you prefer clean, organized tourist areas, this might not be for you. But if you're like me and want that unfiltered cultural immersion, you've found your perfect hotel.
Recommended for travelers who want to live like a local, not just visit like a tourist.
Jayson
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
