Seoul's HOTTEST Guesthouse: Roadhouse Myeongdong - Your Adventure Starts NOW!
Roadhouse Myeongdong: My Seoul Survival Guide (and a Few Whines)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m back from the trenches (aka, a whirlwind tour of Seoul) and ready to dish on Roadhouse Myeongdong – the place that claims to be the “hottest guesthouse” in town. And you know what? They're probably right. But before you jump on the booking train, let's unpack this experience, flaws and all, because let's be real, nobody needs another perfect hotel review. We need the real Seoul story.
First Impressions: Accessibility & Arrival (and That Initial Panic)
Finding the darn place was a minor adventure in itself. Seoul’s a maze! Okay, so the "accessibility" of Roadhouse, by the way, is mostly good. Elevator access is crucial (thank goodness!), and the main areas are navigable. But, and this is a big but, getting there from the airport? Whew. The Airport Limousine bus is your friend, folks. Seriously. Just get off at the Myeongdong stop and follow the Google Maps whispers. Oh, and if you’re lugging a mountain of luggage (like me), be prepared for some serious sweating. The staff, however, were genuinely helpful upon arrival, even when I was a sweaty, overwhelmed mess. They totally deserve medals for dealing with my jetlag-induced existential dread.
Cleanliness & Safety: Does Roadhouse Actually Care About Germs? (Finally, a Straight Answer)
Okay, this is where Roadhouse really shines. Let’s face it, in a post-pandemic world, cleanliness is KING. And Roadhouse? They're like, the king's bodyguard. They’re all about the Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, and, crucially, Rooms sanitized between stays. They even let you Room sanitization opt-out available if you prefer. Seriously, my germaphobe inner child was doing backflips. I still saw people sharing the same water bottle in a common area, but whatever, they have the First aid kit available. The Staff trained in safety protocol, and the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property made me feel secure, especially when wandering around at 3 AM, fueled by kimchi and existential wanderlust.
The Room: Cozy…ish. But the View… Forget About It!
My room? Cozy is an understatement. It was compact. I'm talking, you can touch all four walls simultaneously. But hey, it had Air conditioning (essential!), Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (bless!), Internet access – wireless, and a surprisingly comfy bed. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver (jet lag, remember?). The Hair dryer was surprisingly powerful. The Mirror was… well, a mirror. But with the Desk and the Laptop workspace, I was able to do some work like the pro I am. The Complimentary tea was a nice touch, but I missed my morning coffee. I wish Roadhouse provided this service. My room also had Towels, Toiletries, and Slippers. The Non-smoking rooms are awesome, which is great. My room had a Window that opens, which is a great thing. Now, the view? Let's just say it wasn't exactly overlooking the Eiffel Tower. It was more like, "Another Building." The Seating area was cute, but honestly, I spent most of my time exploring.
Food Glorious Food (and the Occasional Mild Disappointment)
Roadhouse boasts a decent dining scene. The Asian breakfast was a solid start to the day – think kimchi, rice, and the occasional mystery meat. But I was craving a proper Western breakfast, so I paid extra to find one. They have Coffee/tea in restaurant, which is a must. The Bar was a lively spot for a pre-dinner drink, but I avoided the Happy hour because these are often a tourist scam. The Snack bar was useful to have. I also found the Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, and International cuisine in restaurant were a great thing to have. I did not use the Room service [24-hour].
Things To Do & Ways To Relax (or How I Tried to Become a Korean Spa Goddess and Failed)
Roadhouse is well-located, which is a MAJOR win. You're smack-dab in the middle of Myeongdong (AKA, shopping paradise), so you're spoiled for choice. But after a day of haggling for skincare (which btw, Korean sales tactics are next level), I was craving some zen. Roadhouse had the goods, or so they promised. They have a Spa/sauna, a Sauna, and the ever-coveted Foot bath. I heard rumors of a Pool with view, but, sadly, it was closed for renovations. The real question is, are they exaggerating? Well, YES. I did not use the Gym/fitness. In truth, I was too busy eating street food and trying to understand Korean slang to hit the gym. My attempt at a spa day was hampered by my lack of Korean language skills. (Pro-tip: Learn the words "hot" and "relax" beforehand). But the atmosphere was still nice, and it gave me the chance to relax a little bit, and I should go again!
Service & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Awkward
The staff at Roadhouse are generally fantastic. They're incredibly helpful, patient with my atrocious Korean, and always up for a chat. The Concierge was a lifesaver when I needed help finding a lost phone (don’t ask). The Currency exchange was super handy. The Airport transfer (available for a fee, of course) made leaving a breeze. But there were a few hiccups. I didn't use the Babysitting service, and I'm not going to be using the Doctor/nurse on call. One day, the Daily housekeeping missed my room completely (maybe she was too busy enjoying the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!). Another day, the Wi-Fi sputtered out. (Cue my internal meltdown). The Convenience store was a lifesaver (ramen, anyone?). The Cashless payment service was super useful. Overall, the positives outweighed the negatives, but let's be honest, perfection is boring.
The Verdict: Should You Book Roadhouse Myeongdong? Absolutely.
Look, Roadhouse Myeongdong isn’t flawless. But it's got heart, it's clean, it's convenient, and it's a great basecamp for exploring Seoul. It feels authentic, and it doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's perfect for solo travelers, backpackers, and anyone who wants to experience the real Seoul. So, pull the trigger. Your adventure starts NOW!
But first…
My Honest, Slightly Biased, Roadhouse Myeongdong Offer
Okay, so you're intrigued. You're probably already picturing yourself slurping noodles and exploring ancient palaces. Here's the deal:
Book your stay at Roadhouse Myeongdong in the next 72 hours using the code "SEOULSURVIVOR" and get:
- 10% off your entire stay! (Because who doesn't love a discount?)
- A complimentary bottle of Soju (local alcoholic beverage – drink responsibly, or don't, I'm not your mom).
- A personalized list of my favorite Seoul street food joints. (Because you deserve to eat like a local, not a tourist).
- A free hug from me (jk…unless?).
But seriously, book now. This offer won't last forever. And neither will your chance to discover the magic of Seoul! Click that link, and let's get this adventure started! Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Roadhouse Myeongdong, but I do hope this review has earned me a free stay next time.
Pathway Luxury Suites Canada: Unbelievable Suites Await You!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your meticulously planned, sterile travel brochure. This is the messy, glorious truth of a week-long stay at Roadhouse Myeongdong Guesthouse in the heart of the chaos that is Seoul, South Korea. Let's get this over with, shall we?
Roadhouse Rhapsody: A Seoul Sojourn (Expectations: Ruined, Feelings: All Over the Place)
Day 1: Arrival - Jet Lagged, Judged, and Jjigae-fied
Time: 4:00 AM (Grumbling alarm) - 6:00 AM (Screaming from the airport, the plane finally landed)
Activity: Landed at Incheon Airport (ICN). The first blow? The passport control lady gave me the look. You know the one. The "are you sure you know what you're doing?" look. Already feeling inadequate.
Transportation Mishap: Finding the AREX (Airport Railroad Express). I'm pretty sure I almost hyperventilated navigating the ticketing machines. Eventually, triumph! (And by triumph, I mean I managed to buy the wrong ticket and had to ask a very patient local to help).
Arrival at the Guesthouse: Roadhouse. Okay, it’s…cozy. Let’s call it that. It’s clean, but “compact” is the operative word. The lady at reception (sweet, bless her heart) showed me to my dorm room. And the first thing I noticed? The bunk beds seem more like escape ladders.
Lunch: Finally made it out for Kimbap, I was still so jetlagged, and the whole lunch was a blur. I’m starting to feel like a panda, just consuming and barely conscious.
Evening: After a nap that only a coma survivor could rival, I stumbled out for dinner. I was craving something spicy, something Korean. Ended up ordering a bubbling pot of Kimchi Jjigae at a little hole-in-the-wall place nearby. My tears were mostly from the chili, but also a little bit from pure, unadulterated joy. It was the best soup I've ever had. Seriously. My taste buds were practically doing the Gangnam Style.
Thoughts: Seriously considering moving into the kimchi jjigae restaurant. Also, WHY is everything so damn cute here? The phone booths, the street food stalls, the way the dogs are dressed. It’s all too much and I love it.
Day 2: Temple Troubles, Market Mayhem, and Karaoke Catastrophe
Morning: Woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a bus (or perhaps just slept on a particularly uncomfortable bunk bed). Decided to be cultured and visit the Jogyesa Temple. Beautiful, peaceful. Until a rogue pigeon decided to…well, let’s just say I had a close encounter. Ruined the zen. Completely.
Afternoon: Myeongdong shopping street. Holy hell. I swear, it's like Times Square on steroids. Face masks everywhere. And the sheer number of people! Found some amazing street food: Hotteok (sweet pancakes) and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). The tteokbokki was SO spicy, I could feel my eyebrows raising. But the hotteok. Oh, the hotteok. Worth every single fiery tear.
Evening: Karaoke. My friends insisted. I'm tone-deaf. The night involved way too much soju and an attempt at a Psy dance. I'm pretty sure I mortified the entire bar. Worth it. For them.
Lowlight: Accidentally wandering into a cosmetic store and being convinced I needed seven different serums. My face feels like a glazed donut.
Day 3: Palaces and Pancakes – A Day of Contrasts
Morning: Gyeongbokgung Palace. Stunning. Majestic. Felt very "historical." Took a million photos. Then, tripped over a cobblestone and almost ate it. Luckily, I retained my grace.
Lunch: The worst kind of pancake restaurant. (Yes, it exists—they are usually very small with no customer, and an old lady is waiting for you.) No one there to stop me from ordering way too many savoury Korean pancakes. Then, a tiny, old woman offered me a piece of her cake. The kindness of strangers, even when I’m pretty sure I ate half her lunch.
Afternoon: Insadong. Traditional crafts, tea houses. Bought a ridiculously overpriced (but beautiful) ceramic tea set. Felt very refined. Then, spilled tea all over the ceramic tea set at a very refined tea house. Ruining another perfect scene.
Evening: Back at the guesthouse. Chatted with some other travelers. The international drama. Always the best.
Day 4: The DMZ Zone – A Somber but Powerful Experience
Morning: DMZ tour. Seriously heavy stuff. The reality of the division is stark. The guide was excellent, and the experience was humbling. A definite reminder of the world outside of my self-obsessed bubble.
Post-DMZ: Needed some happy to cleanse my soul. Went back to Myeongdong and ate way too much ice cream. Found a shop that sold these adorable little character macarons. Could not physically resist, despite the price.
Evening: Soju. Again. Apparently, I need a lot of soju to process emotional experiences.
Observation: The people here are surprisingly resilient. I swear, they have a "can-do" attitude that can tackle anything.
Day 5: Exploring the Neighborhood's Secret Snacks
- Morning: The rain starts. Found a little coffee shop and eat a toast.
- Afternoon: Wandered to other locations near Myeongdong. Found small stores where I didn't know the name but it was a nice experience.
- Evening: Found a street food place near the guesthouse and I tried my best to order something in Korean. I think I failed.
Day 6: Last-Minute Shopping and Seoul Farewell
- Morning: Panic-buying gifts. Found a store that sold character socks. Bought all the socks. My suitcase is now 75% socks.
- Afternoon: Last ramen, Last kimbap.
- Evening: A final, teary farewell dinner at that kimchi jjigae restaurant. The owner recognized me.
Day 7: Departure – Sullen, Satisfied, and Slightly Sausage-Shaped
- Morning: Woke up with a severe case of "I don't want to leave." Packed my ridiculously overstuffed suitcase.
- Transportation Mishap 2.0: Airport shuttle. Managed to get on the wrong one. Ended up on a detour of the outskirts of Seoul. Eventually, I got to the airport.
- Departure: Passport control lady didn’t even look at me. Sigh.
- Thoughts: Seoul, you were a chaotic, beautiful mess. I'll be back. Probably need some more soju to get over the jet lag, and the withdrawals, that start as soon as I land back. But I'll be back. And next time? I'm booking a bigger bunk bed. Wish me luck.
So, uh... What *is* this thing, anyway? Like, what are we *doing* here?
Am I going to actually *learn* anything?
How do I find what I need? Because, let's be real, that's what I'm *really* here for.
What kind of questions will you *actually* answer?
Are you *sure* you know what you're doing? I mean, you seem… unsure.
Okay, let's get specific. What about cats? Are they *really* superior to dogs?
What's your favorite color? (Because, why not?)
What's the silliest thing you've ever done? (Because we all have those.)
