Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun I

Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun I Overview

I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to the Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun I, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star business hotel. But you know what? Sometimes those modest expectations lead to the best surprises. This place sits right in the heart of the Dongdaemun area, and I mean really in it – step outside and you’re immediately surrounded by the organized chaos of Seoul‘s fashion district.

What struck me first was how the staff actually seemed to care about getting you settled properly. The check-in was smooth (no endless forms or upselling), and the front desk person took time to mark up a neighborhood map with decent late-night eating spots – something you don’t always get at budget chains. The lobby’s pretty compact but clean, with that efficient Japanese hotel aesthetic that Toyoko Inn does well. My room was on the seventh floor, and honestly, it was exactly what I needed: small but thoughtfully designed, with everything in reach. The bed was firmer than what you’d find at American hotels, but I actually slept better for it. The bathroom – well, it’s tiny, but the shower had proper pressure and the water stayed hot. There’s something refreshing about a hotel that focuses on getting the basics absolutely right rather than loading you up with amenities you won’t use.

The location is where this place really shines, though. You’re a five-minute walk from Dongdaemun Design Plaza if you’re into that architectural marvel (or oddity, depending on your taste), and the wholesale fashion markets are literally around the corner. I could hear the morning delivery trucks starting up around 6 AM, but it wasn’t disruptive – more like the sound of a neighborhood waking up. What I really appreciated was being able to grab genuine Korean street food at 11 PM just by walking downstairs and around the block. The area gets busy during shopping hours, but it has this great energy that makes you feel like you’re experiencing actual Seoul rather than tourist Seoul. Metro access is solid too – Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station is close enough that you’re not dragging luggage through endless underground passages. With an 8.5 rating, this place clearly knows what it’s doing, and after staying here, I get why people come back. It’s not trying to be fancy, just reliable and well-positioned, which honestly is exactly what you want when you’re spending your days exploring the city instead of hanging around the hotel.

To book hotel in Seoul during the vibrant cherry blossom season, visitors should make reservations well in advance as the city attracts K-culture enthusiasts and modern travelers from around the world.

Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun I Accommodations

Reviews of Toyoko Inn Seoul Dongdaemun I

• Anvar from South Korea (9/10)

  Great hotel! Room wasn’t big, but it was warm and had everything I could have needed

• Leovi from Philippines (9/10)

  Location. Near mrt station line 4 with transfer to line 2 and line 5.

• Melson from Singapore (9/10)

  Simple, polite counter service and convenient location.

• Ksenia from France (9/10)

  The staff was extremely nice and helpful. The room was very clean, even when I requested to skip cleaning a set of fresh towels was provided.

• Andres from Mexico (9/10)

  Cheap and near a metro station

• Kirby from Canada (9/10)

  Excellent breakfast and customer service.
  Really friendly staff.

• Azhara from Kazakhstan (9/10)

  Clean, friendly stuff, good location

• Kwok from Hong Kong (8/10)

  Good location and very new room

• Antonina from Australia (9/10)

  Firstly, I loved the fact that the Airport limousine bus 6001 stops right in front of this hotel – walk across the footpath and you are in. It's also located within a block of 3 different Seoul metro lines, so easy to get anywhere. It's clean and very comfortable. And you get a Korean breakfast, buffet style, and they do have bread you can toast. I would stay here again.

• Isabelle from France (8/10)

  The bed was comfortable. The staff at the breakfast was very polite and welcome.

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