Hong-dae Pencil Guesthouse & Hostel Reviews

This is the second time that I stayed at this Hostel and I wouldn't think twice about staying again. It's extremely clean, the location is great for getting to the Hongdae area and the staff couldn't be more helpful. Definitely stay here!

Free breakfast (and coffee), nice staff, good location, and cheap price. What more to ask?

Pencil was a nice place to stay with a friendly staff. They have private rooms as well as shared. It was quiet and cozy in a pretty sweet area with lots of little marts as cafès/ restaurants. I would recommend Pencil to anyone passing through the area!

My second stay at this hostel In common with all hostels, separate showers and toilets would be good.but apart from that, a great place to stay, near to hongik station and central for both Hongdae and Sincheon nightlife---and Loving Hut

Other than being a bit hot in the dorm room and the bathrooms being a bit grungy, it was fine. The location is excellent and it's really easy to find. The staff are helpful and nice. I felt safe. They provide lockers with a key for your valuables. If I would have had the time, I would have loved to take advantage of the free bike rental. I'd recommend staying here!

As it turns out, there are four Pencil Hostels in the same area. I didn't know this when I booked and they are all very different. We ended up going to the wrong one and had to find the other location. There wasn't clear directions on which one we were supposed to go to. So, double check which location you are supposed to be staying at. The confirmation with Hostel World was different from the email I received. The hostel we ended up staying at was fine, but wasn't as expected.

I had such a fantastic experience here, thanks to both the excellent staff and the great visitors who happened to share the place with me while I was there. Thanks for everything guys! I'll definitely recommend you to my friends who pass through Seoul in the future!

Amazing company and a relaxed atmosphere.

We enjoyed the friendly atmosphere!

Hong-dae Pencil Guesthouse & Hostel in Seoul is an excellent hostel in every single way. We are regular guest there, and wouldn't stay at any other places. Hong-dae district is the best district in Seoul for a young traveler. Stay at this district, and this hotel, will give you a perfect Seoul experience! We totally love it!!!

I've stayed in many hostels before, but Pencil Guesthouse is easily one of the best hostel experiences I've ever had. The staff was super helpful and friendly. The facilities were clean and comfortable. The overall atmosphere was relaxed and felt more like being at a good friend's house than at a hostel. The staff even helped me find a lost camera and shipped it to me overseas! They were beyond helpful. I'd recommend this place to anyone. If I go back to Korea, I wouldn't consider anywhere else!

the youtube video instructions to the hostel was briliant. everyone there is helpful all you have to do is ask someone and they will help you. if was a bit confusing figuring out who worked there and who was ust living there, but other than that it was an good hostel.

I liked the hostel it was comfortable and nicer than the other one I stayed at in this area. The staff was really helpful and friendly.

We booked a private room and found it clean, comfortable, and private. Pencil is in my favorite area of Hongdae and is only a few minutes from the subway making it very easy to get around.

Great location and clean. But only 2 bathroom for more then 20 people (when full) is just not enough...also on 8 persons dorm you have to cross the common room to get to the bathroom which is not very nice

We really enjoyed our stay here.Originally we booked out the 8 bed dorm for 8 adults however we arrived a little late in the evening. The staff were so nice, they upgraded 4 of us to a 4 bed dorm with ensuite in another room...which initially we were hesitant about as we wanted to be together, but the kind girl working said it was fine if some of us moved the bedding round etc. Super relaxed staff.The hostel is very close to all the bars/restaurants in Hongdae, and we will definitely stay again!

very recommended to stay here. everything is awesome. thank you DJ and Pei. i feel like am home with your hospitality.. and the other guest is very nice :D. It's a good place to start your travel in Seoul. oh, and i love the food too :D . I'll stay here again when i come back to Seoul. gamsa hamnida

This is great hostel.I stayed either side of a vacation abroad.The first time I stayed in the new building- the dorm was clean, warm,had an ensuite.Was basically private to me and my friend-but there was no 'hostel feel' in this side of the building.Then I stayed in the main building-again, clean, warm and comfortable.The staff were a great help-letting me check in ahead of time and having my bed ready for when my delayed flight came in at 1am.Excellent.Only downside was the breakfast-hotdogs?

One of the best most friendly hostels I have ever stayed in. In a great location near bars, resturants and cool shops. I will definitely come back!

I was in the 8 br dorm. There was no heat and the room was absolutely freezing. The staff tried to bring an old space heater from the basement but it was broken. The staff could have offered us a spot in the open beds in warmer rooms, but they made no such offer. The door has a security code but is never locked. The hot water in the shower is almost nonexistent. There are only 2 bathrooms for the whole hostel. The lockers are small but free.