Seoul's BEST Ramada? Dongdaemun's Hidden Gem REVEALED!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the whirlwind that is the Ramada by Wyndham Dongdaemun. Forget the perfectly curated travel blogs – this is the REAL DEAL. Forget the pristine, clinical reviews – we’re talking gritty, glorious, human experience here. Think less "polished gem" and more "slightly tarnished, but incredibly valuable, antique ring."
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- Title: Ramada Dongdaemun Review: Seoul's Hidden Gem? Honest Thoughts & Quirky Takes!
- Keywords: Ramada Dongdaemun, Seoul Hotel Review, Dongdaemun Hotels, Accessible Hotels Seoul, Free Wi-Fi Seoul, Spa Hotel Seoul, Fitness Center Seoul, Dongdaemun Shopping, Best Ramada Seoul, Hotel Review Korea
- Meta Description: My unfiltered experience at the Ramada Dongdaemun! Find out if it lives up to the hype (spoiler alert: it's complicated!), plus accessibility, amenities, and the all-important FREE WI-FI! Get ready for a quirky, honest review.
First Impressions: The Lobby (and the Initial "Oh Crap" Moment)
Okay, so landing in Seoul is a sensory overload. The smells, the sounds, the bright lights – it's a beautiful chaos. After what felt like an eternity navigating the subway with my suitcase (okay, maybe I overestimated my luggage capacity – rookie mistake!), I finally rolled up to the Ramada. The lobby… it's… well, it's a lobby. Standard issue. Clean, brightish, and functional. Accessibility gets a thumbs up, generally speaking. The entrance wasn’t a nightmare, thank god, and there's an elevator. Which is crucial when you’re exhausted and just want to collapse.
Now, the "oh crap" moment. I'd requested a high floor with a view. Said the check-in process was surprisingly efficient. But then the key card and the room? Not exactly like the glamorous photos… but hey, it’s a hotel, not a movie set, right?
Room Rundown: Mine (And Maybe Yours Too!)
Okay, so my room… was… serviceable. Available in all rooms details are here, I'm going to keep it going. It had the essentials: a comfy (enough) bed, a (functioning) TV, and air conditioning that actually WORKED (bless). Free Wi-Fi? Yup. Fast and reliable. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the digital gods! Internet access – wireless and LAN - it's there. The bathroom… ah, the bathroom. It was… tight. But functional. Hot water, decent water pressure, the basics. The mini-bar was suspiciously empty, but I guess that's an upgrade from the extortionate mini-bars of some other hotels. Additional toilet, extra long bed, Blackout curtains, Complimentary Tea, Coffee/tea maker, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Window that opens. I mean, I had it pretty good. I’d prefer not to have to walk 10 steps for a coffee in the morning, but I’m not sure the hotel can fix that. (It might be my fault). Let's be honest, you're not living in the room. You're sleeping and maybe wrestling with the aircon controls. Linens were clean, thank heavens for Daily housekeeping and Daily housekeeping! And the reading light? Well, I never needed it, but hey, it's the thought that counts!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The All-Important Food Situation
Alright, let's talk food. Because, let's be real, that's half the battle. The Ramada Dongdaemun has restaurants. Plural! There's an Asian cuisine restaurant open, and a restaurant, and a Coffee shop, a Snack Bar and a Bar. I didn't try everything. I did see the Breakfast [buffet]. Looked pretty standard hotel fare. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, all the options. They did have an option for Breakfast in room, which got a big thumbs up from me. Because, let's face it, sometimes you just need to eat in your pajamas. Food delivery is available.
I did indulge in the Room service [24-hour] one bleary-eyed morning. The burger was… adequate. Definitely hit the spot, though, after a night of, let's just say, "exploring the local nightlife." The Bottle of water was a welcome touch. It was one of the things that made my stay more pleasant.
Spa & Relaxation: Attempted Bliss
Okay, so I was totally hyped for the spa. After a day of battling the crowds and the jet lag, a massage sounded like heaven. The Ramada does have a spa. They have a Sauna, and a Steamroom, a Spa/sauna. It’s not the biggest spa in the world, but it was clean and the staff were nice (this matters!). The massages were pretty darn good. Not the best massage of my life, but definitely good enough to make me feel less like a crumpled piece of paper. They also have a Gym/fitness centre, which I…swept past. (I'm on vacation, people!). I believe they do have a Pool with view and a Swimming pool - but was too busy sweating out the city!
Cleanliness & Safety: The New Normal (and the Slightly Weird)
Look, in today's world, cleanliness is paramount. And the Ramada seems to get it. They had all the usual stuff: Anti-viral cleaning products, hand sanitizer everywhere (thank goodness!), and staff wearing masks. Rooms sanitized between stays. They also had Professional-grade sanitizing services. Staff trained in safety protocol. All the usual boxes were ticked, which is comforting. They even had Individually-wrapped food options and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
What was slightly weird? The room sanitization opt-out available. I mean, fair enough, but it made me think, "What if someone didn't opt out… what levels of sanitization were we talking about?" CCTV in common areas.
Accessibility: Navigating the Maze (Mostly)
Accessibility, in general, got a thumbs up. The elevators were a lifesaver. Facilities for disabled guests were present, and that's a big plus.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Air conditioning in public area? Yup. Concierge? Yes! Cash withdrawal? Yep. Currency exchange? Check. Daily housekeeping? Absolutely. Doorman? Indeed. These little things make a big difference. The convenience store downstairs was a lifesaver for late-night snacks and emergency water purchases. Luggage storage was readily available and was a real blessing when I had to check out early. Dry cleaning, laundry service, ironing service, are available.
Getting Around: The Subway Shuffle & Beyond
Airport transfer is available, which is a huge plus, especially after a long flight. Taxi service is easy to find. As for the rest: The subway is your friend (and your enemy, depending on the time of day). Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking, Bicycle parking are available.
Things to Do (and Maybe Not Do):
This isn't the place for "Things to Do" because the hotel is great, but the location is amazing. It's in Dongdaemun. Yes, it's got shopping. Yes, it's got night markets. Yes, it's noisy.
For the Kids: None, really . But the hotel isn’t really aimed at kids anyway. Babysitting service is offered.
The Quirks, the Imperfections, and the Honest Truth:
Okay, folks, here’s the deal. The Ramada Dongdaemun isn't perfect. It's not the Four Seasons. But it's a solid, reliable, and reasonably priced hotel in a fantastic location. The room? It's fine. The food? It's decent. The spa? Worth a visit. (Side note: I did once, on a previous trip, have a truly AMAZING massage in Seoul. It was in a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place I'm not sure I could find again. Sigh.) The BEST part? The location. Dongdaemun is pure, unadulterated Seoul energy. The shopping, the street food, the buzz – it's intoxicating.
Things that Could be Better:
- The bathroom… could be slightly bigger.
- More adventurous food options would be welcome.
- Maybe some better soundproofing in the rooms?
- A little more personality, but that's just me being picky.
Final Verdict:
Would I stay at
Escape to Paradise: Sheraton Buganvilias Puerto Vallarta Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-formatted itinerary. This is my Seoul adventure, and you're just along for the chaotic, delicious ride! Let's get messy.
Seoul Scrawls: A Week of Ramen, Regret (Maybe), and Ramblings at the Ramada Dongdaemun
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Food Panic (aka, "Lost in Translation & Hangry")
Morning (Sort of?): Landed at Incheon. The sheer size of this airport is overwhelming. I'm pretty sure I walked a marathon just to get to baggage claim. Found my luggage (miracle!), but then the taxi situation… let's just say my Mandarin skills (non-existent) weren't exactly helpful. Eventually, got a cab, muttered "Ramada Dongdaemun!" with as much conviction as I could muster, and prayed to Buddha (or whoever's listening) we’d end up in the right place.
Afternoon (Almost): Finally, the Ramada! Room's… fine. Cleanish. View of… a building. Okay, I'm officially starving. Downloaded a food delivery app. The options! So many Korean dishes I've only ever seen on screen, now taunting me from my phone. Ordered something that looked vaguely like noodles with spicy brown stuff. Fingers crossed. (Spoiler: it was DELICIOUS. Totally worth the existential dread of ordering.)
Evening (Failing): Wandered (more like stumbled) into the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). It's like a spaceship landed, and everyone's wearing really cool clothes. Felt like a tourist in a futuristic fashion show. Ended up eating street food (tteokbokki! oh god, so good and so spicy!) while watching… something. Probably some sort of fashion show. I couldn't understand a word, but hey, people-watching is a universal language, right?
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and Existential Dread (brought to you by Jet Lag)
Morning (ish): Woke up ridiculously early, thanks to evil jet lag. Decided to be "cultured" and visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s beautiful. Seriously. Like, jaw-droppingly, postcard-perfect. But the crowds… it was a tidal wave of selfie sticks. Still, the architecture is stunning, and the air smells of serenity, or maybe just fancy incense.
Afternoon: Insisted on finding a traditional tea ceremony. Found one! The lady running it (bless her heart) struggled to explain the process in English, but the tea was exquisite, the little snacks were perfect, and I basically felt like I was in a K-drama. I almost bought a small, expensive, ornamental spoon I didn't need. I had to fight the urge… I had to resist. (I did feel a pang of sadness later that evening, thinking about the spoon that I could have had!)
Evening: Walked around Myeongdong. Ah, the beauty of the cosmetics stores, the street food vendors, the sheer energy of it all! Tried some weird egg waffle thing (yum!), and wandered past all the flashing lights… and then I realized I was completely and utterly lost. Panic briefly set in. Swallowed it down with a serving of spicy tteokbokki and a strawberry smoothie. I'll find my way back eventually. Maybe.
Day 3: The DMZ (And Questioning My Life Choices)
Morning (Early, horribly early): DMZ tour. Okay, this was serious. The tension, the history… it hits you hard. The reality of the division is sobering. Standing on the observation deck, looking at North Korea… it’s not something you can just shrug off. Felt strangely emotional; a mixture of sadness, disbelief, and a healthy dose of fear. (The gift shop, however, was a bit… weird. I mean, who buys a t-shirt that says "I Visited the DMZ"? I’m not sure I’d want to wear that either)
Afternoon: Back at the hotel, feeling a bit drained. Did a whole pile of laundry while re-evaluating my life choices.
Evening: Dinner: Korean BBQ! The meat sizzles, the banchan (side dishes) multiply like rabbits, and the soju flows. Got a little loud. Apologized to my table partner.
Day 4: Itaewon & Regrets & Ramen (Ah, Ramen!)
Morning: Itaewon. A total melting pot of cultures. Checked out the bars. Browsed some vintage stores. Almost bought a pair of platform boots I'd probably never wear again. Almost, again. Again, I’m so glad I resisted.
Afternoon: The best thing about Itaewon? The food. Hands down, the food. Found a little hole-in-the-wall ramen shop, and it was pure, unadulterated bliss. The broth, the noodles, the perfectly cooked egg… I’m not ashamed to admit, I slurped the entire bowl dry. Possibly ordered a second one.
Evening: Karaoke. Oh boy. My attempt at singing a Korean pop song was nothing short of disastrous. (There are videos, and they will haunt everyone, I can assure you). Luckily, the soju kept flowing, and everyone was incredibly forgiving. Ended with a terrible hangover and a deep seeded need to become a better singer.
Day 5: Shopping Spree & Soaking in the City (or as much as my aching feet could stand)
Morning: Headed to Myeongdong, determined to (actually!) buy some skincare. Wandered through the crowded streets, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices. Managed to acquire a mountain of sheet masks, some questionable face lotions, and a lipstick that looks like it was made for a K-Pop star. (I look ridiculous.)
Afternoon: Found a lovely cafe in a quiet alley. Spent an hour sipping iced coffee, watching the world go by, and feeling surprisingly content.
Evening: Explored the N Seoul Tower. The view of the city at night is stunning. Again, super romantic, and I wished I had someone to share it with.
Day 6: Exploring the Bukchon Hanok Village & A Last Minute Dash for Souvenirs (and panic)
Morning: Absolutely LOVED Bukchon Hanok Village. The traditional houses are incredibly beautiful. Strolled around in general amazement. Almost went native and started wearing hanboks.
Afternoon: Oh. The. Panic. Realized I hadn't bought any souvenirs, and my flight leaves tomorrow. Scrambled to find something other than the usual t-shirts and keychains. Ended up buying (wait for it…) a tiny traditional tea set. Yes, the same tea set I'd looked at when I was having the tea ceremony. I am nothing if not consistent.
Evening: One last dinner of delicious Korean food. Went out for bibimbap and makgeolli. I want to learn how to make this myself.
Day 7: Departure (And Vowing to Return)
- Morning: Packed (badly). Said goodbye to the Ramada. The people there were lovely.
- Afternoon: Got on a plane. Seoul, you were a wild ride. You were messy, and chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming, but also beautiful, delicious, and utterly unforgettable. I'll be back. And next time, I promise to learn at least a few basic Korean phrases. (Maybe). And find that spoon. Probably buy it.
Seoul's BEST Ramada? Dongdaemun's Hidden Gem REVEALED! (Or, My Hotel Saga)
Okay, spill it! Is the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Dongdaemun REALLY the best? I've read mixed reviews...
What about the location? Is it actually "hidden" or just… "far"?
The rooms... are they comfortable? Are they... clean? (This is important!)
Tell me about the breakfast! Is it worth it?
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Can they speak English?
Okay, let's talk about the negatives. What are the biggest drawbacks?
