Paju Golden Hill

This is a nice, affordable hotel with awesome staff. Rooms are basic as are many hotels in Korea, and are clean and comfortable (one double bed and one single bed in most rooms). The staff is excellent. We stayed here because a family member works close by. Some neighborhood restaurants are within walking distance as well as a few “quick marts”. Unification park with some hiking trails and a rebuilt 1.000 year old palace is nearby.

This hotel is one of maybe ten ostentatious but artistic hotels clustered on a hill about 1 to 2 miles from Heyri Art Village. It seems like some investors are planning for tourism that isn’t quite there yet? Total contrast to the otherwise peaceful rural-ness of the region. The customer service was unusual. I encountered few people (whether in Seoul or not) who spoke English but everyone in Seoul, whether working in the tourist industry or not, was extremely helpful once I approached them—and several times, people approached me to help when they saw my confusion, even though we spoke different languages. The staff at this hotel were either unfriendly, really nervous about the difference in language, or have a different sense of customer service. My check-in consisted entirely of “Name?” and my key-card being handed to me. I arrived by bus from Seoul and walked with my awkward bags all the way to to the hotel—super sweaty, hot, and tired—so I asked the front desk staff (15 minutes after arriving) if they could call a taxi to take me to the art village—very stiff response. The taxi driver was just as seemingly disapproving of me, although maybe he was bitter because his taxi smelled of vomit. I wondered if it was rural reticence when the next day, upon my departure, I asked the front desk staff again for a taxi but this time totally prepared with a translation on my phone and a point on the map to show them—I got the usual stoney face but then he went above and beyond to figur

I would like to start by expressing my appreciation for the front desk officers, both of whom provided excellent service. A big thank you also to the housekeeping team for consistently cleaning the room and providing fresh linens and towels—your efforts are highly appreciated. Transportation: The hotel is quite far from mainstream services, and the commute is expensive as I had to rely on taxis frequently. Food: The hotel has a mini bar with snacks and quick meals for convenience. However, the prices are high, and the options are very limited, especially for foreigners. While this may be a good business opportunity for the hotel, it significantly disadvantages guests by offering limited food choices. Staff Attitude: The staff were all friendly and polite. However, my complaint stems from an incident where one staff member told me I was being upgraded to a different room because the hotel needed my current room for a guest with a family. I reluctantly agreed, comforted by the idea of an upgrade. Unfortunately, the new room on the top floor was smaller than my original one, and there was nothing special about it. Room 509 was much better than 905. I felt deceived by this so-called upgrade. Will I return to this hotel? No, I don’t plan to return. The location is too far from everything, though it might be ideal for a quiet getaway. Other notes: The ceiling of the lift could use some cleaning. Overall Ratings: • 7/10 for staff and room cleanliness. • 2/10 for transportati