Hotel Icon
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About
Hotel Icon is an excellent choice for travellers visiting Seoul, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.
Hotel Icon is a family-friendly hotel offering a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning in the rooms, and it is easy to stay connected during your stay as free wifi is offered to guests.
The hotel features a rooftop terrace.
Close to some of Seoul's most popular landmarks, such as Cheonggyecheon Stream (0.5 mi) and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) (1.3 mi), Hotel Icon is a great destination for tourists.
During your visit, be sure to check out one of Seoul's popular dim sum restaurants such as Myeongdong Kyoja Main and Din Tai Fung Myeongdong Jungang, all a short distance from Hotel Icon.
If you are interested in exploring Seoul, check out one of the castles, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Deoksugung.
Enjoy your stay in Seoul!
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We took bus 6011 at Gate 11 worth 10,000 KRW (40-60 minutes) from Incheon Airport to Anguk Station then follow the walking instruction in their website. You can also alight at Changdeokgung Palace hen just turn right in the small street then turn right again until you see the small hotel arrown sign.
Gimpo airport from/to hotel is also accesible via mrt but since we have luggages we took taxi worth 40,000 KRW for 30 minutes travel.
Changdeokgung Palace is only walking distance from hotel. Better to catch-up the "Secret Garden Tour" with English Guide at 11:30, 13:30 or 15:30. Do reservation of tickets online as it has limited capacity of 50.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is only one mrt station away from Anguk station with 1.1 km distance from hotel. Do catch-up the "Changing Guards Ceremony" at 10:00, 13:00 or 15:00. Avoid morning in the weekend as it was super crowded.
Insadong street is also walking distance from hotel where you can have lunch, dessert or shop some local souvenirs with cheaper price compare to the other places. Having dinner after 8pm is not advisable as most of the resto are close.
Myeongdong Shopping Street is our favorite where it is also accessible via mrt or taxi for only 3300 KRW. You can have a dinner here with a lot of street foods, restaurants, dessert house and even cat cafe. Don't miss to have free traditonal korean costume session at the "Tourist Center" where you can have free photograpy with computerized background selection where you can send the pictures to your email as well!
Bukchon Hanok Village is only 1 km away or 10-15 minutes walk from hotel.
It would be great to always visit the tourist center when available in the area so that you can have the clear direction and copy of detailed map you want to explore. Will definetly come back to try winter season.
Our initial plan (before we set off from Singapore) was to stay only the first four days there. But due to the great service and kind hospitality shown by both Mrs Jung and Mr Baek (Mrs Jung's husband), the accessibility of the hotel (near many important tourist destinations -the two major palaces, Insadong, Bukchon Hanok Village, Jogyesa Temple etc and Anguk subway station, all within a short walking distance), clean rooms (cleaned ever day), helpful staff, and other great facilities (Ondol heating, air conditioning, clean toilets, all toiletries supplied, fresh towels, fridge, water boiler jug, fast wifi and cable tv), and of course all these at very reasonable rates (includes breakfast!), we decided to return and stay six more days at Icon Hotel
Here is a list (yes, a list - not just 1, 2 or 3 but a whole list!) of many very kind gestures by both Mr Baek and Mrs Jung during our stay which has made Hotel Icon the #1 hotel in Seoul & South Korea for our family.
1 Stay - The First Four Days
* Although the check-in time was in the afternoon, we arrived in the morning due to early flight. Since there were no twin rooms available before noon, upon learning that our family was big and had arrived early, Mr Baek got our room upgraded to double + single bed at no extra charge and allowed us early check in.
* We went out until very late, still both Mr Baek and Mrs Jung called on us personally the first night to welcome us to the hotel and see whether we needed any help.
* The next evening, Mrs Jung walked us to a wonderful barbecue restaurant which served nice Korean food at very reasonable rates. She also advised us about various places to visit and eat the next day.
* On the fourth night, we returned late to our room as we had gone to Lotte World. When we opened our room, we saw that Mrs Jung had bought us a boxful of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and mandarin oranges (tangerines) and left it in our room. What a pleasant surprise!
* The next day, we had to catch an early morning train to Gyeongju. Mrs Jung came to the hotel to pick us up and sent us to the Seoul Train Station in her car!
2nd Stay - The Next Six Days
* Yes, upon our return, they gave us the 2+1 room at the same discounted price (of a twin bed room).
* Upon our return to Seoul, both Mr Baek and Mrs Jung took us to a wonderful traditional Korean Noodle and Dumpling Restaurant in Myeongdong for lunch and later dropped us at the cable car station on Mt Namsan as we wanted to go up the cable car.
* The next day, Mrs Jung took us to have a nice city view from the Hyatt Hotel, showed us around Itaewon and dropped us at Leeum Museum.
* Along with other guests at the hotel, they organized a wonderful Korean breakfast for us the next morning and Mr Baek shared with us his 30 year old Pu'er tea, given to him by a Reverend monk.
* Mrs Jung organised photo taking session for our two daughters in Hanboks.
* Mr Baek and Mrs Jung also took us (by car) to a beautiful nunnery on Mt Samgasan which had picturesque view and wonderful atmosphere. Later, they also sent us to the famous Ginseng Chicken soup restaurant near Gyeongbok Palace.
*On our last day, we wanted to visit Everland. So Mrs Jung sent us again to City Hall in the morning. Upon reaching the bus stop early and not finding the bus there yet, she asked us to wait in her car as it was warmer in her car on a cold winter morning. Later that evening, she came to pick us up too!
*On other occasions, Mrs Jung also advised us extensively and expertly where to shop, what to see, what to eat and where to go in Seoul. She gave our two daughters biscuit and chocolates each time we met her, and upon knowing they liked orange juice, she even brought along with her orange juice cans everywhere whenever we went out with her. She even brewed and brought ginseng tea in flask for my wife!!! When we climbed the 108 stairs on Mt Samgasan Nunnery, Mr Baek accompanied one of my daughter's and encouraged her and talked to her as she walked up the long flight of stairs. He also told us its history. Without him, we would have totally missed this wonderful place as it is not in any guide book or website!
* The two young receptionists at Icon Hotel were very helpful too. They helped print train and discount tickets for us, and lent me adaptors to charge my phone. When we could not get across to each other, Mr Baek (who speaks excellent English), the telephone translation service and Google Translate came handy.
* I almost forgot to mention the lovely fresh flowers in our room on our fourth evening! Yet another surprise!
Our best times and memories of Korea and Korean people are of the time we spent with these two exceptionally kind, loving and generous people who go much much beyond the extra mile in service and humanity.
We are grateful to Mr Baek and Mrs Jung and wish to thank them very much for the kindness they have shown us. We have travelled a lot as a young family and a lot more before we had children. During these travels, we have stayed in all types of hotels, big and small, cheap and expensive, and in countries developed and not so developed. But nowhere have we received the kindness and hospitality that we have received from Mr Baek and Mrs Jung. It's no wonder Hotel Icon is the No 1 hotel in Seoul!!!
We will be back soon! In the summer? Is it too soon?
We happily recommend this hotel to all types of visitors!!!
1. Brand New: Hotel was recently built January 2013. The hotel is very clean! Even the sides of all corners of the room are clean.
2. Daily Make-Up of Room: Rooms are daily cleaned and provided with toiletries everyday. So you have no worries of your room being cleaned everyday.
3. Heated Floor System: We stayed during winter and have the privilege of heated floor system to make it cozy for us couples.
4. Furniture: Side table, Intercom, Refrigerator, 2 bottles of water daily, Wardrobe cabinets, Hair Dryer, LCD TV - all useful for your traveling comfort.
5. Awesome Hospitality: Upon arriving the hotel, Mrs. Chong, the owner of the hotel was there and gave us a warm welcome. Showed us the gallery for daily breakfast and the rooftop for a view of the city. They learned that we are a couple having a honeymoon in their hotel and on the eve of Christmas sent flowers and fruits to our room. Just before we are to celebrate Christmas, Mrs. Chong and her husband went to our room to present us a gift and appreciation letter for choosing their hotel as our honeymoon destination. We are very warmed and humbled by their goodness and generosity. You will enjoy their company. You can also ask them for good places to visit, to eat and to shop which is just nearby the hotel.
6. Nearby train stations: Anguk Station (walk 5 mins.) and Jongno-Sam Ga (3) (walk 5 mins.)
You can go anywhere using the trains. Just transfer to the correct train line number to the destination you want to go. Hotel Icon is just near both stations and getting around Seoul will not be a problem.
7. Nearby attractions: Changdeokgung Palace, Gwanghamun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insa-Dong, Myeong-dong, Changgyeonggung Palace, Togpol Park, Unhyeongung Palace, National Folk Museum of Korea, Dongdaemun (Heunginjimun gate), Cheonggyecheon River (Stream) - All can be walked. Also accessible by city bus, 2-3 bus stops only.
8. Rooftop - Hotel has a rooftop for some early morning coffee or late night sightseeing of citylights.
9. Nearby landmarks when locating hotel - Ibis Hotel (just at the back of ibis hotel), from jongno sam-ga (3) station, locate ibis hotel and just follow streets leading to the ibis hotel. Another nearby hotel is Fraser suites near Insa-Dong - You can just ask anyone about how to go to ibis hotel from fraser suites and you will be able to see hotel icon. =)
10. Freebies: You are given the privilege of putting on Korean traditional dresses for men and women for free! All around Seoul, wearing traditional dresses are with cost. Hotel Icon provides Korean traditional dresses for free. =)
In all: Great experience! Awesome and Very Practical =)
We would definitely go back to this hotel when we get back to Seoul again. =)
Newly wed,
Daryll and Jela
The room was small and bathroom, too, with the shower right in the bathroom that soaks everything every time you take a shower. The blinds don't block out any light from the window. There was cigarette smoke in the hallway (we were on floor 5) and in the lobby in the morning, even though you could only smoke on the roof. The "breakfast" was white bread and a few pastries cut into pieces.
Its true, the owners were very nice and gave us a ride in their car to another part of town, but we didn't ask and would much have preferred they invest in their guests comfort by improving their mattresses and breakfast at the very least. I hate to have this review affect their business, but not being honest would be doing them and future clients a disservice.
The property itself has a quaint & quiet atmosphere. It is more like a family run B&B rather than the usual full fledged service hotel. We had stayed there for a full week. Apart from replacing our towels and replenishing the complimentary bottled waters daily, our bed was not made up even once throughout our stay. It was fine as we are tidy sleepers. I feel the four walls inside the room badly needs cleaning as well. Looks ugly with stain marks. Apparently all rooms are floor heated and there is no self controlled air-conditioning during winters, springs & autumns as advised by the management. (Could be stuffy at times especially during late springs or early autumns if air conditioning only set to operate in the summers). In-room amenities includes pillows, comforter, bath & hand towels, toilet rolls, recycled slippers(not hygiene), a mounted TV, a mini fridge, a kettle boiler for tea making which comes free.(For coffee lovers, please request coffee sachets from the front desk. The guys would be happy to give. The problem was I had to request for them every day throughout our stays). Please take care the rest other than the above mentioned complimentary amenities. Meanwhile, breakfast service was of average experience. Only basics like eggs, bread/toast, cereals, orange juice and "poor" coffee are served. It is generally a self service affair. Get your own breakfast and clean up your own table after you are done.The quality of wifi service on the other hand was proven good inside the room. Lastly, do not miss to drop by on their pretty rooftop where the Bukak mountain could be clearly viewed from a distance.
Conclusion... Despite having experiencing few shortcomings about the hotel, it was somehow a pleasant stay with a friendly & hospitable host. Location is recommendable. Definitely a decent & clean homely place to stay with as long expectations are not being set too highly.
1) Toilets are not heated
The attached toilet was small and clean but it was like the NORTH POLE every time we stepped in. We stayed during the week when temperatures fell to way below minus (minus 8 to minus 14 degrees Celsius in the night). It was a challenge to use the toilet and take a shower. Washing our long hair was out of the question. It'll be like playing Russian roulette with pneumonia. In the end, we had to wear our parkas just to use the bathroom. We had followed all instructions regarding heating, so if there's heating in the toilet, we were not told. If having a warm bathroom is important to you, this is not the place for you in winter.
2) No booking of taxis
We stayed four nights and had to check out and move to another hotel to join the rest of the family who had chosen another hotel (we wanted sometime to shop before the rest arrived). We found out the hotel had only booking of taxi services to the airport and not elsewhere. My sister had to walk out to the main road, hail a taxi back to the hotel and transport us to the next hotel. It wasn't easy to do (most drivers refused) and while standing in the minus zero temperature with the chill wind blowing, surrounded by our luggage, I realized we had chosen the wrong hotel to stay in winter in Seoul. Hotel Icon wasn't easy to find and the taxi driver who first drove us here was lost in the maze of small streets and had to call (we made sure we had the number) to find his way.
In all other areas, we have no complaints. The beds were firm, not hard. Owners were polite and professional. We didn't receive the 5-star treatment we read about in the reviews. Our request for help with postage stamps (to send postcards home) was turned down but directions were given to us for us to find our way to the post office near Anguk Station.
On our part, we do not consider ourselves demanding. We tip housekeeping, keep the room clean and even shared half the garlic chicken ordered and delivered with the owners and the young guy at the front desk one night.
It's just personal opinion at play here. Every traveller's expectations and needs are different and Hotel Icon was not the hotel for us in winter. We made the mistake many travellers did. We did not email ahead to ask...
- One of our friend had a bad leg attack and couldn't walk. Lady boss kindly blessed us all to proceed with our plans for the day as she brought my friend to the hospital for and waited few hours for checks and test. Amazed!! She even cook a meal for my friend back in the Hotel. Double Amazed!!!
- Each of our rooms is served oranges when we were there. Unexpected surprise from a budget hotel. Beautifully printed thank you notes delighted us in our stay.
- The room is cosy for the cold winter stay. Very heated floor is such a bonus to dry our damp clothes.
- Heated hard bed was perfect for me as I have back problem. I slept like a baby. Heat provide good blood circulation and firm bed is a good support. Remember to more water as quite dehydrating.
- Near the subway and accessible to usual touristy places. We went to a 100 yr chicken ginseng shop that is few stops away.
- The convenient store nearby is useful for drinks and snacks that our children enjoyed during the stay.
Thank you Mr & Mrs Icon, we truly experience world class hospitality at your Hotel.
17 of us from Singapore
Namely, its paper-thin walls. It's one thing to hear a muffled conversation or television in the next room. It's another to hear every syllable uttered across the hall. I woke up to a ten-minute diatribe from a fellow patron and the sound of hard-case luggage being knocked against door frames.
Although the Hotel Icon marquee is clearly visible at the top of the building it occupies, its entrance is nearly impossible to find in the warren of urine-soaked alleyways that separate it from the nearest subway station.
Apart from the price, the only other plus was the noon checkout time.
I could always found place to eat easily because there are many restaurants around this place and Insadong. (Insadong takes only 5 minutes at the most by walk from the hotel).
Also, the owner of the hotel, Eun Gyo Jung, was very kind to us that she provided breakfast which was not on service at that moment. She introduced good restaurants as well. She was willing to ride us if I wanted to go to somewhere bit far from here. Every staffs were very nice but they cannot be compared to the owner. She was the best hotel owner I ever met in my life.
Rooms are very tidy and clean. Water bottles were always filled everyday after cleaning too.
Hotel Icon has amazing rooftop that has table with the chairs, flowers, trees and good view at night.
If my friends asks me where to stay in seoul, I will definitely recommend Hotel Icon. It made my days in Seoul wonderful.
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