For first timers, figuring out where to stay in Seoul is difficult as it's such a big city with many diverse neighborhoods and districts. Chances are you'll be overwhelmed with all the choices and information out there. Ideally, you should pick an area in Seoul that fits your traveling style and needs.
Jongno District is a great home base for those who want to experience the historical and cultural side of the city. It is conveniently located near several subway stations making many of the Seoul's attractions accessible from it.
One of the hostels tucked in between the alleys of Jongo is Yellow Brick Hostel. This is where we stayed when we went to Seoul. We absolutely loved our stay here and we highly recommend it.
Here's our review of this charming property.
Location
If there's one thing that Yellow Brick Hostel can boast about, that would be its excellent location. It is within Jongno District, the city center for the last 600 years and considered as the face and heart not only of Seoul but of the entire country. The hostel is within walking distance to many points of interest like Insadong, Changdeokgung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Cheonggyecheon Stream, and a few minutes drive to Myeongdong and Gwangjang.
Although the hostel is located in a busy part of the city, you could hardly hear anything from the room, allowing us to wind down and catch some much needed shut eye. To reach Yellow Brick Hostel, you can take the subway to Jongno 3-ga Station or take the bus to Changdeokgung Bus Stop and walk to the hostel.
Reservation
Yellow Brick Hostel has its own website for reservation of rooms. It is also listed in online travel agencies like Booking.com and Hotels.com. Since the rooms are offered at lower rates plus an additional 10% Genius travel discount, we decided to book through Booking.com. With free breakfast and WiFi, we only paid PHP1,730.00 per night - an excellent value for money.
Sign up for a Booking.com account and become a Genius member by completing any 2 stays. For more information, visit the website here.
Check-in
We arrived at the hostel at around 8:00AM which was way too early to check in. Upon arrival, we asked the front desk attendant Pyo if we can leave our bags in the property and just return in the afternoon to check in. We also asked if we can use the toilet to refresh before our first activity in Seoul. He gladly approved and directed us to the luggage area and the common toilet.
By 9:00AM, we were ready to go but Pyo told us that a room was already available and he went ahead with the check in. That totally changed the course of our first day in Seoul, letting us nap and shower after a red-eye flight. Thanks Pyo!
Layout and Ambiance
The Yellow Brick Hostel is a 9-storey hotel with both private and dormitory rooms. The ground level contains the lobby, front desk, information area, and shared lounge with computer stations. The second to fourth level contains the Standard Twin and Deluxe Double Rooms. The fifth and sixth level contains the Standard Double and Deluxe Double Rooms. The seventh to ninth level, meanwhile, contains the Standard Single, Family Room, and Dormitories. The basement level has the communal dining/TV area, kitchen, toilets, and laundry room. There is also a rooftop garden with outdoor furniture and some views of the neighborhood.
The hostel is inspired by the yellow brick road in Wizard of Oz, which is a path that leads to great things. One of the great things it offers is its charming, cozy, and homey ambiance. In keeping with the theme, there are touches of yellow in every corner of the hotel and all the great Wizard of Oz characters are captured as wall murals on every floor.
The room can accommodate maximum of 2 adults. There is no option for an extra bed due to space limitation. Another thing to note is that the plugs and sockets in the room are the type C and F. Make sure to bring a two-round-pinned adapter so you can charge your devices. The hostel is able to provide adapters should you ask for one.
Activities
Jongno District is a great home base for those who want to experience the historical and cultural side of the city. It is conveniently located near several subway stations making many of the Seoul's attractions accessible from it.
One of the hostels tucked in between the alleys of Jongo is Yellow Brick Hostel. This is where we stayed when we went to Seoul. We absolutely loved our stay here and we highly recommend it.
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| Entrance to Yellow Brick Hostel |
If there's one thing that Yellow Brick Hostel can boast about, that would be its excellent location. It is within Jongno District, the city center for the last 600 years and considered as the face and heart not only of Seoul but of the entire country. The hostel is within walking distance to many points of interest like Insadong, Changdeokgung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Cheonggyecheon Stream, and a few minutes drive to Myeongdong and Gwangjang.
Although the hostel is located in a busy part of the city, you could hardly hear anything from the room, allowing us to wind down and catch some much needed shut eye. To reach Yellow Brick Hostel, you can take the subway to Jongno 3-ga Station or take the bus to Changdeokgung Bus Stop and walk to the hostel.
Reservation
Yellow Brick Hostel has its own website for reservation of rooms. It is also listed in online travel agencies like Booking.com and Hotels.com. Since the rooms are offered at lower rates plus an additional 10% Genius travel discount, we decided to book through Booking.com. With free breakfast and WiFi, we only paid PHP1,730.00 per night - an excellent value for money.
Sign up for a Booking.com account and become a Genius member by completing any 2 stays. For more information, visit the website here.
Check-in
We arrived at the hostel at around 8:00AM which was way too early to check in. Upon arrival, we asked the front desk attendant Pyo if we can leave our bags in the property and just return in the afternoon to check in. We also asked if we can use the toilet to refresh before our first activity in Seoul. He gladly approved and directed us to the luggage area and the common toilet.
By 9:00AM, we were ready to go but Pyo told us that a room was already available and he went ahead with the check in. That totally changed the course of our first day in Seoul, letting us nap and shower after a red-eye flight. Thanks Pyo!
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| Yellow Brick's Front Desk |
Layout and Ambiance
The Yellow Brick Hostel is a 9-storey hotel with both private and dormitory rooms. The ground level contains the lobby, front desk, information area, and shared lounge with computer stations. The second to fourth level contains the Standard Twin and Deluxe Double Rooms. The fifth and sixth level contains the Standard Double and Deluxe Double Rooms. The seventh to ninth level, meanwhile, contains the Standard Single, Family Room, and Dormitories. The basement level has the communal dining/TV area, kitchen, toilets, and laundry room. There is also a rooftop garden with outdoor furniture and some views of the neighborhood.
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| Computer stations, phones, and printer for use by guests |
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| The cozy dining area/TV area |
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| Breakfast amenities served from 7:00AM to 10:00AM |
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| Kitchen where guests can cook their own food |
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| Mr. Lion on the 6th floor |
Our Room
We stayed in a Standard Double Room. When we walked inside, there was a comfortable double bed, private clean bathroom, working desk, air conditioning, small refrigerator, cable TV, hair dryer, hooks for clothes, and a central control system. These range of amenities available in the rooms of Yellow Brick make it more like a basic hotel than a hostel. Additional details like the yellow walls and towels bring life and vibrancy to the mostly white bedroom. |
| Standard Double Room as published in the hostel's site |
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| Yellow Brick Keycard |
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| Private toilet and bath |
Yellow Brick Hostel has several areas where you can get sociable. Make use of them. Head to the lounge in the lobby, the kitchen, dining/TV area in the basement, or the rooftop garden to socialize. Find other travelers you can chat, watch TV, and hang out with, or get great restaurant or tour recommendations from.
In the lobby, there are several brochure racks of maps, guides, tours, and events. Grab some to know the latest and to help you get involved with the city. You might even get great ideas if you plan on doing DIY tours in Seoul.
Service and Experience
Overall, our experience at the Yellow Brick Hostel was great. It pretty much has all the things a traveler would look for in a more expensive hotel and more. We loved its charming and laidback character. The staff were friendly and helpful which set the tone for an above-average stay experience. And we only paid what would be a night's worth in a hotel!
If you have questions about the Yellow Brick Hostel, please leave a comment in the box below.
Want to read more about our trip to Seoul? Click on the below links.
Seoul: A Travel Guide for First Timers
Seoul: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans
How to Apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos
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| Shared lounge in the lobby |
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| Rooftop Garden |
Service and Experience
Overall, our experience at the Yellow Brick Hostel was great. It pretty much has all the things a traveler would look for in a more expensive hotel and more. We loved its charming and laidback character. The staff were friendly and helpful which set the tone for an above-average stay experience. And we only paid what would be a night's worth in a hotel!
If you have questions about the Yellow Brick Hostel, please leave a comment in the box below.
Want to read more about our trip to Seoul? Click on the below links.
Seoul: A Travel Guide for First Timers
Seoul: A Budget Travel Guide for Juans
How to Apply for a South Korea Tourist Visa for Filipinos
Experiencing Palatial Grandeur Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace
Yangban For A Day: Suiting Up A Hanbok
Seeing from Above the N Seoul Tower
Beyond Seoul: Exploring Nami Island
Beyond Seoul: Visiting the Garden of Morning Calm
Beyond Seoul: Being Inspired at Petite France
How to Get to Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm
Yangban For A Day: Suiting Up A Hanbok
Seeing from Above the N Seoul Tower
Beyond Seoul: Exploring Nami Island
Beyond Seoul: Visiting the Garden of Morning Calm
Beyond Seoul: Being Inspired at Petite France
How to Get to Nami Island, Petite France, and the Garden of Morning Calm
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