Seoul's Hidden Gem: Ehwa's Myeongdong Magic!
Seoul's Secret Sauce: Ehwa's Myeongdong Magic - A Review That's Honestly Real (And Maybe a Little All Over the Place)
Okay, so I just got back from Seoul, and I'm still buzzing. Specifically, I'm buzzing from my stay at Ehwa's Myeongdong Magic (let's just call it "Ehwa's" from now on, it's easier). I mean, the name itself is a bit… much, right? "Magic"? But hey, maybe they're onto something. This place… it kinda does have a certain… je ne sais quoi.
Let's dive in, shall we? Prepare for a bumpy ride, 'cause this review's gonna be as real as my jet lag.
First Impressions & The Whole "Getting There" Thing:
Okay, so Accessibility: I'm happy to report that getting to Ehwa's was pretty painless. Especially because…wait for it… Car Park [on-site]! And free! Bless them, because navigating Seoul's public transport, especially after a 12-hour flight, is not exactly my superpower. There’s also Airport transfer, which is a GODSEND. Let me tell you, the thought of lugging my suitcase through the subway after that flight? Shudder.
Check-in/out [express] was a dream, especially after a long flight. Smooth, quick, efficient. Felt less like a chore and more like… well, magic, I guess. Check-in/out [private], unfortunately, I didn’t get that service.
Now, Wheelchair accessible… uh, I didn’t specifically need this, but I definitely saw elevators, and the lobby seemed pretty open. So, thumbs up. I also saw facilities for disabled guests, so they are offering some services and conveniences.
And the location? Smack-dab in Myeongdong. Shopping heaven. Foodie paradise. Tourist central. Which leads us to the first, slightly chaotic, observation:
The Location: A Double-Edged Sword (and a Really Loud Siren)
Things to do: Seriously, step outside and you're in it. Shopping, street food, K-pop stores… you name it. I spent a whole afternoon just getting lost in the cosmetics shops, trying every single sheet mask (hello, glowing skin!). I think they have a convenience store at the hotel so that's good. But if you want peace and quiet - well, good luck. Myeongdong is a vibe. Loud, bustling, and overflowing with… well, stuff.
Rooms: My Sanctuary (and the Reason I Might Need a Detox Spa)
Okay, so the rooms. This is where Ehwa's really shines. I was staying in a classic double room and even the standard room was great.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (praise be!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes (luxury!), Bathroom phone (a little weird, but hey), Bathtub (essential for soaking away those shopping aches), Blackout curtains (saved my sleep schedule!), Closet (plenty of space!), Coffee/tea maker (instant caffeine fix!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping (bliss!), Desk (for when I pretended to work), Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor (good views!), In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (the dreaded truth-teller), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers (perfection!), Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and a Window that opens. Phew! That's a LOT of boxes ticked.
AND… the Wi-Fi [free]! It actually worked. Unlike some hotels where you spend half your trip wrestling with the internet. I even managed to do a video call with my sister, which is a testament to how good it was.
I swear, that tub was my haven after a long day of battling crowds. And the blackout curtains? Lifesavers. The soundproofing was pretty good; you couldn't hear the chaos of Myeongdong from inside, which was an absolute godsend.
But here’s a confession: I may have spent a little too much time in the mini-bar. Those little snacks… dangerous.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Sensory Overload (in the Best Way)
Okay, the food. This is where things get… exciting.
Restaurants: The hotel has a few. I loved the Restaurant (I'm assuming that's what they name it, I only know that they have some). The Asian cuisine in restaurant was a MUST. And the Breakfast [buffet]? Oh my god, the Asian breakfast! Seriously, I’m still dreaming of the kimchi fried rice with the fresh cucumber juice. I mean, it had everything you could want. Coffee/tea in restaurant, and Coffee shop were good too. And the Bar? Perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail.
Dining, drinking, and snacking: My room service addiction was in full swing, thanks to the Room service [24-hour]. The a la carte in restaurant had options too. The Desserts in restaurant were to die for.
Also, the Breakfast takeaway service was great for when I was running late. The Poolside bar was great too.
Lunch and Dinner: I've been in a lot of restaurants and I can say that the International cuisine in restaurant was a great option at Ehwa too. The Western cuisine in restaurant was just okay, but hey, I wasn't in it for the Western. The Salad in restaurant was a good option. The Soup in restaurant was okay.
For special needs, you can ask for Alternative meal arrangement and Vegetarian restaurant.
Ways to Relax & (Possibly) Regret It Later:
Spa/sauna: This is where Ehwa's starts edging towards the "Magic" side of things. The Sauna was divine. Seriously, I spent way too much time in there, probably dehydrating myself. But hey, relaxation. They also have a Spa. The Body scrub and Body wrap were amazing, and the Massage? So good, I almost fell asleep during it. Almost.
Gym/fitness and Fitness center: Tried the gym. It was… functional. But let’s be honest, after all that amazing food, hitting the treadmill felt a little pointless.
Pool with view and Swimming pool [outdoor]: I did not use any. It felt like the weather was not good.
Foot bath: Did not use.
Steamroom: Yep, that I did.
Happy hour- yes, I went there.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did Someone Say "Obsessive"?
Okay, this is where Ehwa's shines, ESPECIALLY in the post-pandemic world.
- Cleanliness and safety: I had a strong feeling that everything was actually very clean. I didn't see one speck of dust.
- Hygiene certification: So far, so good.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yes, they used them.
- Rooms sanitized between stays and Daily disinfection in common areas: Oh yeah, I saw staff cleaning all the time.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services and Staff trained in safety protocol: Yup.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Excellent.
- Sterilizing equipment: Didn't see it, but I'm assuming.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Cashless payment service: Easy peasy.
- Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Everything seemed clean.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes, if needed.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They make effort, but it's tough in a packed city.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I didn't opt-out, but I didn't get sick.
- CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property: Security was present.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, and Smoke detector: Well, I did not notice, so I guess they were there.
- Front desk [24-hour] and Security [24-hour]: Always someone there.
- Safety/security feature: Yes.
Internet, Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Internet access: The
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's pristine travel itinerary. This is ME in Myeongdong, Seoul, ready to be utterly charmed (or possibly disastrously confused) by Ehwa University and the general chaos of it all. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable food choices, and way too many selfies.
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Amazing Street Food (Mostly)
12:00 PM: Incheon Airport – Survival Mode Activated! Okay, so technically, I landed a few hours ago. But the real adventure begins NOW. Finding the AREX train felt like navigating a minefield of suitcases and bewildered tourists. I swear I saw a teenager rolling his eyes at me while I fumbled with my T-money card. (Note to self: learn some basic Korean phrases BEFORE arrival.)
1:30 PM: Check-in at the Hotel near Myeongdong. The hotel room is smaller than my walk-in closet, but honestly, after the airport, a bed is a BED. Also, the shower pressure is AMAZING. Pure bliss.
2:30 PM: Myeongdong Street Food…Let the Games Begin! Right, time to conquer the food stalls. I'm talking serious pressure here. Everyone raves about Myeongdong. My stomach is grumbling. First up: Hotteok (sweet pancake). Oh. My. God. Pure, gooey, cinnamon-sugar heaven. I immediately burned my tongue and managed to get syrupy goodness down my front, but I don't even care. Worth it. Next, I braved the tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes). Woah. Fire in my mouth! Delicious, though. I also tried some strange, suspiciously shaped skewers of…something… that I’m pretty sure consisted mostly of fried starch and a whisper of mystery meat. Edible but not a repeat offender. I swear I saw a lady with a tiny dog that looked like I did after eating too much. It was adorable.
5:00 PM: Lost in a Sea of Beauty Products. Okay, the skincare shops are overwhelming. Seriously, walls and walls of creams, masks, and potions. I’m fairly certain I spent a solid hour testing face masks and wondering if I could realistically acquire porcelain- doll skin. I may have bought way too many sheet masks. My wallet is weeping. I also may have had a minor panic attack trying to figure out the difference between "essence" and "serum." Don't judge me.
7:00 PM: Dinner - Attempt Number Two. I’m craving authentic Korean food. Decided on a bibimbap! It was an amazing food experience that I'll remember forever.
9:00 PM: Bedtime Blues. Still jet-lagged to hell. I’m pretty sure sleep is just a rumor at this point.
Day 2: Ehwa University and the Glorious Failure of My Fashion Sense
8:00 AM: A Very Important Breakfast. Coffee is a necessity. That's all.
9:00 AM: Ehwa Women's University - The Dream. Seriously, this place is gorgeous. The architecture is stunning, the campus is alive with energy, and I felt like I stepped into a K-drama. I had to stop a few times just to stare. I felt small and very un-stylish. I immediately felt woefully underdressed, like I'd stumbled out of a swamp.
10:00 AM: A wandering wander. Found some quirky shops. Tried a bubble tea so beautiful it was a crime to drink.
12:00 PM: Lunch - The Kimchi Conundrum. I’m trying to love kimchi. I'm trying REALLY hard. The flavor is… intense. I'm pretty sure my face contorted into some sort of involuntary grimace the first time I tried it. I'm working on it. This lunch will determine if I've made any progress!
1:00 PM: Attempting the Ehwa Shopping District. I envisioned myself finding the perfect outfits. But, instead I felt like I had become invisible.
4:00 PM: Back to Myeongdong - Retail Redemption. I spent the whole afternoon at a few of the Myeongdong's amazing shops. I even found a dress! I'll show you when I return.
7:00 PM: Dinner - Meat, Glorious Meat. Korean BBQ! I'm a carnivore, and this is my happy place. I attempted to grill the meat myself and may or may not have singed off a few eyelashes in the process. Worth it. The garlic and ssamjang sauce are life-changing.
9:00 PM: Post-BBQ Bliss. Stumbling back to the hotel, smelling faintly of grilled meat, and feeling the satisfaction of a successful day.
Day 3: Souvenirs, Sudden Urges, and Departure (Mostly)
9:00 AM: Last-Minute Shopping & Souvenir Scramble. Okay, gotta get those last-minute gifts. I'm picturing my friends and family in a state of mild shock at my choices. I bought way too many socks with silly faces on them. And a tiny, plastic K-pop star keychain.
11:00 AM: Unexpected Detour. I desperately needed to get some more snacks for the plane. Some amazing bread!
1:00 PM: Farewell Feast. One last meal, trying to relive all of the meals that I have had.
3:00 PM: Airport Bound. Teary goodbyes to Myeongdong!
All Day: Flight. Back to the real world.
This is just a snapshot, of course. The reality of travel is messy, chaotic, and often hilarious. I probably missed a ton of things. I probably botched a few things, too. But that's okay. The memories I made and the experiences I had are what truly matter. Would I go back to Seoul? In a heartbeat. And next time, I promise to learn more than three Korean phrases. Maybe. Okay, probably not.
**JI Hotel Hohhot: Xinhua Square's BEST Kept Secret (Luxury Awaits!)**
Ehwa's Myeongdong Magic: Let's Be Real About It! (FAQ-ish, Kinda)
So, everyone raves about Myeongdong... but what's Ehwa's deal? Is it REALLY hidden?
Okay, okay, "hidden gem" is a bit of a stretch. Let's be honest, it's not exactly Narnia. But compared to the chaotic, buzzing insanity of *actual* Myeongdong (and I mean that in a loving way!), Ehwa Women's University area, or Ehwa, has a different vibe. Picture it: Myeongdong's like a rave, and Ehwa's more like a chill, quirky coffee shop with slightly eccentric decor. You just need to wander away from the main stretch. The shops there are way off the beaten path from Myeongdong, for sure. You can find amazing deals and unique clothing styles. It *feels* less tourist-y, more...student-y, I guess. And student-y means...cheaper, sometimes! A real win for my wallet!
What should I expect to find there? My expectations are already high...and easily crushed.
Alright, let's level set. Ehwa's not going to give you neon lights and giant K-Pop star cutouts *everywhere* like Myeongdong. Think: independent boutiques with clothes that are SO much cooler than what you find in those chain stores. Some, like, *really* cool stuff. Accessories that are less...mass marketed, more "designed-by-a-talented-person-who-gets-it." I remember finding this *amazing* leather bag there that I still use every day. (Okay, maybe it’s a little beat-up now, but it's got character!). Also, the beauty product game is STRONG. You'll discover stuff that isn't plastered all over Instagram. Trust me, you’ll never look at a sheet mask the same way again. *My* skin is so much better now, all thanks to the stuff I found in Ehwa. Food-wise? There are some fantastic cafes. Just, you know, avoid the ones that look *too* trendy. Sometimes the best find is a place that looks a *little* unpretentious.
I hear it's a women's university area... is it just for women? I'm a dude!
Okay, listen. Yes, it’s around a women's university. And yes, there is a certain... *vibe*. But no, you absolutely do *not* have to be female to shop or hang out there. Honestly, I saw more guys with shopping bags than I expected. Plus, some of the shop owners are dudes! My boyfriend, bless his heart, was actually *dragged* there once. He hated the shopping initially but *loved* the food. The food transcends all genders, trust me. My advice? Don’t be weird about it. Go, have fun, and enjoy the experience. If you're sensitive, maybe avoid those stores with the heavily feminine aesthetic. But if you're cool, you're cool.
Shopping in Ehwa sounds great, but what about the food? What's the culinary scene like?
The food is the real secret weapon of Ehwa, in my humble (and hungry) opinion. You're not going to find Michelin-starred restaurants here. But what you *will* find is a delicious, affordable, and often quirky culinary adventure. I once stumbled into this tiny little bibimbap place that was run by a grandma of incredible proportions. She may or may not have actually yelled at me for taking too long to order, but the bibimbap? Unforgettable! Seriously, one of the best things I've *ever* eaten. And the prices are, wow, you could easily eat for under $10 USD. Also, you've got your street food, of course. Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) are ESSENTIAL. There are also cafes with these fancy, aesthetically pleasing ice cream cones, perfect for Instagram (even if you're like me and it melts all over your hand). The coffee scene is also, quite good, too.
Any tips for navigating the shops? I'm easily overwhelmed.
Oh, honey, I feel you. Seoul shopping can be a sensory overload. My best advice is to *slow down*. Don’t try to see everything at once. Wander. Get lost. Poke your head into those tiny boutiques that look like they're barely clinging to life. That's where the real treasures are usually lurking. Don't be afraid to try things on! And don't be pressured to buy anything. Seriously, you can always come back. Also, learn to say "ge-ssa-yo?" (How much?) in Korean! And be prepared to haggle, *gently*. It's a part of the experience, but don't be super aggressive about it. Just have fun with it. Oh, and one more thing: Bring cash. Cards are accepted, but I've had some difficulty with them and cash is king, just like everywhere else.
Is it worth the trek from, say, Gangnam or Hongdae?
Okay, let's be honest: Seoul is a big city. Getting around takes time, and Ehwa isn't exactly around the corner from everything. Is it "worth the trek"? That depends on you and what you're looking for. If you're a hardcore shopper who loves unique finds and is tired of the same old same old... YES, absolutely. If you're the type to get tired quickly or hate crowds, it might be a bit much. But even if you're tired, the amazing street food will perk you right up. I'd say it's best to combine it with a trip to the surrounding areas. Visit the university campus, which is STUNNING, for a bit of beauty. Then, explore the shops. You get a much richer experience than if you just go shopping for hours on end. Make a day of it, and plan to eat…a lot. You will be glad you did.
Can you tell me a story about your best experience there? Like, one that really sticks out?
Oh, wow... Okay, okay. Honestly, it’s hard to pick just ONE. But I’ll tell you about the time I found this vintage shop. Just, like, a hole-in-the-wall place, looked like it came straight out of a time machine. I am normally a pretty practical person, but the clothes there were... *magic*. I found this, like, *perfect* velvet jacket. Seriously, it fit me like a glove; the colours were stunning, it had this weird, funky pattern and…it was a steal. Just perfect. I ended buying it. The woman who owned the shop was this tiny lady who looked exactly like my grandma, except she could magically speak fluent Korean *and* English. She practically made me try on everything, and we talked for like an hour! So much to choose from. It’s funny, even though I didn’t know a word of Korean at the time, but her English was just starting to fail, we somehow understood each other perfectly. The best part? She gave me a discount because she liked my laugh. (I have a loud, annoying laugh, so I’ll take the win!). I wore that jacket *everywhere*Hotel Near Airport
