Are you looking for the best budget hotel? If so, Shilla Stay Guro should be at the top of your list! Are you traveling to Seoul and worried about the incredibly high hotel prices? You are not alone! After the pandemic, hotel prices, including my usual Marriott properties (like the Four Points by Sheraton Josun, Seoul Myeongdong that I reviewed before), have skyrocketed. Honestly, I do not have enough money for a 5-star ‘Hocance’ every single time!
So, I was looking for a highly cost-effective and clean stay and got very lucky. Through an Early-bird offer, I booked a Standard Double room at Shilla Stay Guro for only 77,000 KRW. This is an absolute budget-friendly choice for solo business travelers or cozy couple’s getaways. Here is my honest, “naedonnaesan” (my money, my stay) review of this fantastic property.
1. The Textbook Definition of a Business Hotel
When I travel solo, I prioritize ‘cleanliness’ over fancy facilities. Shilla Stay Guro has a modern and organized feeling that always satisfies me.
- Room Condition: As a budget-friendly business hotel, the Standard Double room is not very large. However, it is the perfect size for one person on a business trip or a couple for a cozy stay.
- Bedding: One thing to note is that the mattress was softer than I thought. I prefer hard mattresses, but if you love a soft, cozy feeling, you will be very happy.
2. A Clean Bathroom and Convenient Amenities
I believe the first impression of a hotel is determined by the bathroom. At Shilla Stay Guro, it is completely spotless.
- Facilities: It has a modern bidet (automatic toilet) and a shower booth with a rainfall shower head. It is a highly practical design that knows exactly what business travelers need.
- Amenities: You get the basic amenities like shampoo, body wash, body lotion, and conditioner. These days, many hotels do not provide toothbrushes for environmental reasons, but here, they provide a toothbrush and toothpaste set in a small box, which is very convenient.
3. Small But Valuable Benefits (F&B)
My Early-bird offer included a COVA Coffee take-out coupon from the premium Italian coffee brand.
- Second Floor Restaurant (Cafe): It was a small but nice treat to use the coupon at the cafe on the second floor and enjoy a cup of premium coffee.
- Breakfast Discount: I passed on breakfast because I love sleeping, but they provide a 12,000 KRW discount coupon for the breakfast buffet upon check-in. If you want a cost-effective hotel breakfast, make sure to use this!
[Local’s Pro Tip] Business hotel prices can change a lot depending on the day of the week. By constantly checking the official Shilla Stay website or booking apps for ‘Early-bird promotions’ like I did, you can enjoy the clean and trusted Shilla service for under 100,000 KRW!
Final Thoughts from K-locallog: In these days of crazy inflation, it is not easy to find such a high level of cleanliness and brand power for this price. If you are on a business trip near Guro or looking for a highly cost-effective stay in southwestern Seoul, Shilla Stay Guro is an absolute no-regret choice.
If your travel itinerary is focused more on the city center (City Hall, Myeongdong area) and you want to explore other budget-friendly options, do not forget to check out my ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun Review to compare your choices. Book early and enjoy your smart stay!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Shilla Stay Guro close to the subway station? A: Yes! It is located very close to Guro Digital Complex Station (Line 2). Since Line 2 is the circular line that connects major tourist spots like Hongdae, Gangnam, and Jamsil, staying at Shilla Stay Guro makes it incredibly easy to travel around Seoul.
Q: Does the hotel provide airport bus access? A: While it doesn’t have a private shuttle, the airport limousine bus stop is just a short walk away from the hotel entrance. This makes your journey from Incheon International Airport to Shilla Stay Guro very convenient and stress-free.