Published date: March 18, 2025
New Year Seoul Solo Trip
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Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
Very reasonable and in a great location♪
Since my purpose for the trip was beauty and shopping, I wanted to stay in the Gangnam area, so I chose this hotel!
It’s conveniently located just five minutes’ walk from Shinsa Station, and there’s a convenience store right in front of the hotel. There are also various dining options available at the station.
It’s incredible that I could book at such a reasonable price even on New Year’s Day, especially since I booked so late. The weak yen really helps.
The facilities do feel a bit older than they appear in photos. There were many switches in the room, and I wasn’t quite sure how to operate them, but the cleaning staff nearby kindly showed me with a smile. The room was clean, and I appreciated the provision of mineral water. The hot water temperature was comfortable, and the shower had good pressure. There was a bathtub, and shampoo, conditioner, and body soap were provided as well. The USB port came equipped with a type C cable, so I had no issues charging my devices.
The front desk staff spoke Japanese to varying degrees. I had an early morning flight, and the front desk called a taxi for me, making my departure smooth.
Experiences during the trip
【Seoul on New Year's Day】
A solo trip to Seoul during winter break. I was hesitant to travel until the last minute due to political issues and accidents. By the time I decided to go, almost all flights were fully booked, and the only available slot was on January 1st. Although I used to live in Seoul, it was my first time there on New Year's Day. I had no idea how many shops would be closed, but the place I wanted to visit in Seongsu was open and very crowded! I visited all the shops I had my eye on, including the newly opened Olive Young N Sons, Daisy's Cafe, and Dior. I quickly grabbed a meal at a place in front of Seongsu Station that was okay for solo diners. I ended up buying a lot at a clothing store in front of Gangnam Station, which was having a New Year sale!
【Beauty Clinic】
Most of the clinics were closed from January 1 to 3, but if you look carefully, there are some that are open! A famous clinic recommended by a Japanese influencer was almost empty due to it being New Year's Day. There was no wait time and the consultation was thorough. I had booked several treatments online, and they clearly told me which ones were unnecessary, which was trustworthy. There was a lottery event on New Year's, and I received a beauty serum worth over 6,000 yen even though I ended up in the last place! It was so good that I want to purchase it again, but it costs more than double if I buy it from Japan, so I would like to buy it again when I visit Seoul next time.
【Beware of Airports during New Year's】
Kansai International Airport was crowded with around 80% inbound passengers, but thanks to the new machines that were introduced, I was able to exit smoothly. I usually use Gimpo Airport in Seoul. It's not usually crowded, but I was surprised by how crowded it was with morning flights at the New Year. Most of the passengers were Korean. I arrived at the airport more than two hours early, but there was a huge line. I was anxious about whether I would make it in time, but after clearing the immigration check and hurrying through duty-free procedures, I rushed to the boarding gate, only to find that boarding had already begun. Even if you go early, if the check-in counter is not open, I plan to avoid morning flights in the future. It was a hurried and stressful departure, but the first sunrise shining through the airport window was beautiful.