Simdo Hotel & Spa Review: An Affordable Ryokan Staycation in Seoul
Escape the city buzz without leaving Seoul! Simdo Hotel in Sillim offers a stunning Japanese ryokan-style spa staycation for an incredibly affordable price.
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Escape the city buzz without leaving Seoul! Simdo Hotel in Sillim offers a stunning Japanese ryokan-style spa staycation for an incredibly affordable price.


Looking for the ultimate Seoul staycation?
Discover Simdo Hotel & Spa in Sillim.
Most highly recommended staycation hotels in Seoul
will easily set you back ~$154 to ~$230 or more per night.
But Simdo Hotel in Sillim is a steal at around ~$77,
making it my top pick for a budget-friendly city escape.
Featuring a private spa, traditional tea set, and tatami mats,
this hidden gem gives off major Japanese ryokan vibes! :)





📍 The Hyusik Simdo Hotel & Spa (Sillim Station Branch)
7 Nambusunhwan-ro 181-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
Location: 7 Nambusunhwan-ro 181-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
Phone: 0507-1365-7364
Located just a 2-minute walk from Sillim Station Exit 8,
the accessibility is fantastic, and there's a parking tower
making it super convenient if you're driving.
* Note: SUV parking is not available.
It's incredibly close to local hotspots like the Renaissance shopping center,
Time Stream mall, and Sillim's famous Sundae Town (Korean blood sausage alley),
so there's plenty to explore and eat nearby.

For this highly recommended Seoul staycation,
the check-in counter is on the 2nd floor.
You can check in via the self-serve kiosk or at the desk.
The kiosk makes it incredibly easy
even if you arrive late past midnight!


Disposable amenity kits are available for ~$2,
and include a toothbrush, toothpaste, cleansing foam, cleansing cream, cotton swabs,
a razor, and a shower towel.
I loved that they included two packets of cleansing foam! 😗


I booked the Signature Spa Room for my stay.
With a large soaking tub, traditional tea set, and tatami mats,
it genuinely felt like I had been transported to a Japanese ryokan.
Simdo Hotel is definitely a hidden gem in Sillim!
Let me walk you through all the room amenities.

Next to the bathroom, the most important thing for me
is the bedding. Simdo Hotel absolutely delivered!
The duvet was light yet warm with that satisfying crisp hotel feel,
and the mattress was incredibly plush.
They provide both cotton and memory foam pillows,
so you can choose whatever fits your sleep style best.
After a long spa session, I slept like a baby. :)

Next to the bed, there's a cozy sofa and hanging bathrobes.
The robe material was incredibly soft
and highly absorbent. After my bath,
I didn't even need a towel—the robe was enough!


The small vanity area is stocked with lotion and toner,
so you really can just show up empty-handed! ㅎ.ㅎ


The bathroom was spotless and came equipped with hand wash,
shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and plenty of fresh towels.
A hairdryer is, of course, included!

One of the coolest features of this staycation
is the beam projector installed right over the bed,
allowing you to stream Netflix, YouTube, and more.
Taking a spa bath, sipping tea on the tatami,
eating good food, and watching a movie before bed—
this was the ultimate budget-friendly Seoul staycation! 😗


The aesthetic of the spa area was absolutely unreal!!
There's a beautiful hinoki (cypress) wood tray resting on the tub,
and a miniature pine tree garden setup behind it.
It felt like an outdoor open-air bath despite being indoors.
Best of all, the tub was impeccably clean with zero water stains,
so I could relax completely without any worries.


The tub at Simdo Hotel is massive—easily fitting two people.
It makes for a perfect romantic date course
if you're exploring the Sillim area! 😎

Even the sound of the water filling the tub was relaxing.
I just sat there dipping my hands in, totally zoning out. Haha.
Since the tub is so large, it takes a while to fill.
I recommend hanging out in the tatami room
or watching a show on the projector while you wait.

Once the tub is mostly full, you can drop in a bath bomb
or use the Dead Sea salt provided by the hotel.
The subtle fragrance really elevates
the entire staycation experience.
3 to 4 scoops is the perfect amount.
Be careful not to add too much, as it might stain the tub!
If you love purple or pink hues,
this salt is a great alternative to buying a separate bath bomb!
Just one scoop changes the water color
and releases a soft scent. If you prefer a stronger fragrance,
I'd suggest adding 1 or 2 more scoops.

You can set up wine or beer on the cypress tray
for an incredibly romantic vibe.
If you're a couple looking for things to do in Sillim,
you absolutely have to check out Simdo Hotel! :)

If you prefer not to use bath salts or bombs,
you can simply light the essential oil burner.
The aroma gently fills the air
and instantly boosts your mood! ㅎ.ㅎ
A lighter is conveniently provided next to it.

Right alongside the spa, the tatami room
was another space dripping with aesthetic charm.
It comes fully prepared with a traditional tea set and tea bags,
and you can boil the bottled water from the mini-fridge to brew it!


Between the relaxing spa session and sipping tea
in the Japanese-inspired tatami room,
this budget-friendly hotel that costs around ~$77
provided a full day of absolute healing.

I didn't want the time to pass—
that's how much I enjoyed my staycation at Simdo Hotel.
Soaking in a massive tub, brewing tea
in a private tatami room,
and eating great food while watching movies—
I highly recommend Simdo Hotel for your next Seoul getaway!
If you're looking to book a room at Simdo Hotel,
I've left a link below to a booking site
that offers some of the best budget-friendly rates!
▼ Find the Lowest Rates on Agoda ▼
Agoda Official Site | Free Cancellation & Booking Deals | Over 2 Million Hotels
Shimdo Hotel & Spa Sinlim Station Branch is recommended as a value-for-money hotel for a 'hocance' (hotel vacation) in Seoul, starting from the low ~$60s. This is relatively affordable compared to typical Seoul 'hocance' hotels, which usually cost ~$130 to ~$198 or more.
It is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from Sinlim Station Exit 8, offering excellent public transport access. A parking tower is available for guests traveling by car, but SUV vehicles cannot be accommodated.
It can take quite some time to fill the bathtub completely, so it's advisable to prepare in advance. If using the Dead Sea salt provided in the room, 3 to 4 spoons is an appropriate amount; be careful not to add too much, as it could discolor the bathtub.
Guests can check in at the counter or through a kiosk on the 2nd floor, even late at night. Disposable amenities are available for purchase at ~$1 and include items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and cleansing foam.
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