IBIS Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong Review

I've been to Seoul 10 times and stayed in IBIS on maybe half the occasions! Here's my review of IBIS Ambassador Seoul Myeongdong and whether it's still worth staying at.

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• Location
• Rooms
• Facilities
• Food
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• Who Would I Recommend IBIS to?

My mother and I have stayed at IBIS Ambassador Hotel in Myeongdong, Seoul many times. Below is our unsponsored review. (We paid for all our stays ourselves.)

Hotels in Korea can be a bit confusing. - there is an IBIS Ambassador & an IBIS Styles near Myeongdong. Similarly, there's a Lotte Seoul and Lotte City near Myeongdong. DO NOT CONFUSE THE DIFFERENT HOTELS!!!

The hotel is just a 3 minute walk from Myeongdong Street (close to the heart of the shopping centre but not right smack in the centre of the crowds)- on exiting the hotel, turn left and you'll soon be at the entrance to Myeongdong. It's also close to Euljiro 1-GA Station (Subway Line 2.)

The subway exits in Seoul involve mainly many flights of stairs.  If you have luggage, you have to be prepared to lug them up the flight of stairs. However, Koreans are super helpful- the old Uncles and Aunties always help me when they see me, which makes me feel bad!

If you want to be in Myeongdong (it's not for everyone but here are some of the top things to do in Myeongdong to help you make up your mind), IBIS Ambassador Myeongdong is ideally located:

• it's just outside Myeongdong so convenient but not too noisy
• Moreover, it's on the same side of the road as Myeongdong so it's only a few minutes easy walk away
• the airport bus stops right outside the hotel so it's one of the best hotel choices in Myeongdong if you have lots of luggage. (The airport bus stops close to many hotels, but sometimes across the road etc (e.g. Lotte City), which makes traveling with luggage more difficult.) Note that there's no porter to help you with your luggage.
  • Even at more expensive hotels, like Lotte Seoul, the porter is only located at the hotel driveway so you would still need to carry your bags from the airport bus stop to the driveway yourself. Thankfully, the pavement surface is smooth so it's relatively easy to wheel bags up to the lobby.)

It's easier for people with mobility issues to get from IBIS Ambassador Seoul to Myeongdong. I won't say easy as, frankly, things aren't that easy for people with mobility issues in Seoul. (This is as opposed to Lotte Hotel which is opposite Myeongdong and separated by a very wide road which is not easy to cross if you are in a wheelchair. (There's an underground tunnel to lead people across but you don't find lifts at every entrance.)

In Korean:

이비스 앰배서더 서울 명동

서울특별시 중구 남대문로 78

Don't forget to print out the Korean name and address to show the cab or bus driver or in case you need to ask for directions!

In the room, you'll find

• the bed (duh)
• a small work desk
• mini-bar fridge with coffee/ tea facilies & 2 bottles of complimentary mineral water
• personal safe
• bedroom slippers

Despite the central location, and rooms overlooking a busy room, we were not disturbed by any road noise.

The (small) bathroom has a walk-in shower (bathtubs are more common in parts of Korea) which is also quite small. Toiletries are provided (the shampoo and body wash are 2-in-1) but toothbrush & toothpaste are no longer given. (Generally, even motels provide this in Korea but Seoul hotels have started budgeting- even the toiletries at Lotte Seoul are less generous these days.)

There are larger rooms such as the Junior Suite and even an ondol room (traditional Korean room with underfloor heating.) I'm not sure upgrading to the Junior suite is worth it though- once, when my friend and i wanted to splurge, we considered it but the receptionist didn't seem to recommend it.

• a fitness centre with a view of Myeongdong
  • you'll walk a lot in Soeul so most likely won't need this
• free WiFi
• postal service:
  • The hotel can even arrange to post things home for you: when I was selling Korean skincare, I would often buy too much and the concierge would kindly send them for me. (You need to pack the boxes yourself and bring them up to the lobby (which is on an upper floor, not on the ground floor. However, IBIS will provide the tape, scissors, and boxes.)
• coin-operated laundry (washing powder available)
  • it's a very small laundry area but I've never had to wait long to use it
• 24 hour mini-mart
  • E-mart, next to the hotel
• Direct bus to Incheon International Airport from in front of the hotel)
  • Bus 6015
• parking
  • with electronic car charging
• water dispensers on each floor

 I was also very impressed how fluent the IBIS front desk staff were in English; they had the best English of all the hotel staff I have encountered during my hotel stays in Seoul and Jeju. Even Lotte, Shilla and Grand Hyatt Jeju cannot be compared to them!

https://agoda.tpx.lt/lKhBF2nv review from my senior Mom: For seniors who struggle with walking, I like that there is a lift to the rooms and public areas. In addition, the restaurant, concierge desk as well as public areas are also wheelchair chair accessible. The path to the hotel’s entrance is pretty well-lit and having staff fluent in English makes it easier in case of unexpected health scares.

I'll be honest: I wasn't expecting great food given IBIS isn't a posh hotel. However, the Hanwoo beef I had at Le Table for dinner was very good! I would be very happy to return.

I've never tried the breakfast, but there is a local and international buffet during breakfast, lunch and dinner. (TripAdvisor reviews are good: averaging 4.3 stars for 36 reviews.)

However, you don't have to eat in the hotel- we almost always eat out (cheaper.)

IBIS Ambassador hotel is very close to all the Myeongdong eateries: you have a very wide range of restaurants, cafes and eateries including street vendors at your doorstep. (Open till almost 2 am.)

If this is your first trip to Seoul, and you're not sure what to eat, here's a list of my top foods to try in Korea.

• Unfortunately, the standard at IBIS has fallen a little over the years, especially after COVID
• You cannot adjust the AC temperature! I would not stay here in summer as Korean summers are dreadful- here's a packing list for Korea in summer to help you prep yourself for the hot and humid weather! (The latest I've stayed at IBIS Myeondong is in May.)
• No pets are allowed (only service animals are welcome.)

Any questions about staying at IBIS Ambassador Myeongdong? Let me know in the comments!