We really enjoyed staying at Seoul 53. The owners are very friendly and helpful. Each day you get a free bottle of water and a basic breakfast of toast, bananas and tea/coffee. The rooms are simple but very nice and come with toiletries, slippers and towels (the towels are oddly small so you cannot wrap up, but they are fine to quickly dry off with). There is good wifi in the rooms, a couple of computers to use downstairs and a DIY washing machine on the roof. A very good place to stay and well-worth the price.
Nearby are several small convenience stores, a range of restaurants and other shops. The nearest metro station (Jong-no San(3)-ga) is just five minutes walk down the road, with three of the main lines passing through. Jongmyo Shrine is also nearby. Five minutes in the other direction is Changdeokgung palace. The direct bus link to the airport leaves from outside the palace too, so it is very convenient.
It is a little tricky to find, but not very very difficult - it is on a lane, off a sidestreet from the main road. When on the sidestreet, the lane is where building No. 53 should be if there wasn't a lane there!
We stayed at Seoul 53 twice during our time in Korea and if we come back this way then we will definitely head straight back to this hotel. Thanks for a great time!

Located at the small alley...and yes...it was a bit difficult to find this hotel. The room and bathroom are small...but clean and very simple. I got price for only KRW40.000 for 1 night and I think it was really a good deal, Breakfast is very simple...just toast bread and banana. And remember...you got what you paid...so don't have any high expectation for this hotel. One of the owner named Robin...is really a kind person. He answered my questions for direction very friendly.

The previous reviews about this hotel are more or less true. The staff are extremely friendly and the hotel is in a nice, convenient area, very close to Insadong and the palaces. I guess that's where it stops.I I am sorely tempted to give this hotel two stars but will give it three for its service and convenience.

The rooms are quite small though equipped with a tv and minifridge. Our window opened straight out toward another building so not much of a view. There are two tiny hand towels provided along with toiletries - so bring your own towel.

Walls are stained from baggage and squashed mosquito marks? I was afraid to look closer. Beds are hard with vinyl mattresses so the sheets slide around a bit. The bathroom door and mirror were covered with mold while the shower curtain didn't quite touch the sides so water would go everywhere after a shower making everything always damp.

Beds were never made and garbage never collected, which can add up and get messy after a few days.

Food is simple, toast, jam and butter which honestly is sufficient. The Brew restaurants next door are excellent and there is a convenience store around the corner,

Rooms have a little foyer to keep your shoes which is a nice touch, despite the tiny space. Also free (but slow) wifi in the rooms is a plus

The hotel does the job if you're on a tight budget but honestly, if you don't mind spending a bit more fork out for something else a little cleaner. I probably wouldn't stay here again.