Somerset Palace Seoul

I’ll be honest – when I first walked into Somerset Palace Seoul, I wasn’t expecting much from what looked like another serviced apartment building from the outside. But you know what? This place actually surprised me in the best way possible. The lobby has this understated elegance that immediately made me feel like I’d stumbled onto something good, and the staff genuinely seemed happy to see me (which, let’s face it, isn’t always the case in Seoul).

What really won me over was how they’ve managed to make extended stays feel less like living in a hotel room and more like having your own little apartment in the city. The kitchenette actually works – I mean, you can cook real meals here, not just heat up instant noodles. The space feels generous too, which is saying something for Seoul real estate. I found myself spreading out my stuff without that cramped feeling you get in most hotel rooms. The bed was surprisingly comfortable, and honestly, the blackout curtains were a godsend for someone like me who needs complete darkness to sleep properly. Plus, there’s this nice little seating area by the window where I’d sit with my morning coffee, watching the city wake up below.

The location grows on you once you get your bearings – it’s not right in the thick of Myeongdong or Gangnam, but that’s actually refreshing. You’re close enough to hop on the subway and be anywhere you want within 20-30 minutes, but far enough away that you can actually get some peace when you come back at night. I noticed a decent convenience store literally next door (crucial for late-night snack runs), and there’s this little local restaurant around the corner that serves incredible kimchi jjigae – the kind of place you’d never find if you stayed in the touristy areas. The Wi-Fi was rock solid throughout my stay, which mattered since I was working remotely, and the housekeeping team was thorough without being intrusive. Look, it’s not going to wow you with flashy amenities or Instagram-worthy rooftop pools, but sometimes that 8.6 rating tells you everything you need to know. This is the kind of place where everything just works the way it should, and after a long day of exploring Seoul’s chaos, that’s exactly what you want to come home to.