Seoul's Secret: Happy Tears Hotel – The ONLY Stay You'll EVER Need!
Seoul's Secret: Happy Tears Hotel – The ONLY Stay You'll EVER Need? (Spoiler Alert: Maybe… Mostly!) - A Review of Ridiculous Proportions
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got BACK from Seoul and, well… I have THOUGHTS. And those thoughts involve Seoul's Secret: Happy Tears Hotel. The name alone? Pure genius. I mean, who doesn't want to shed a few happy tears after a truly relaxing stay? (Or, you know, a few exasperated ones trying to navigate the subway system… but I digress.) Is it the only stay you'll ever need? Let's just say, it's… memorable. And I’m still processing, so here’s the unvarnished, slightly manic, and utterly opinionated truth:
SEO & Metadata Madness (Because Google Loves This Stuff)
- Keywords: Seoul, Hotel Review, Happy Tears Hotel, Accessibility, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, WiFi, Cleanliness, Safety, Family Friendly, Luxury Hotel, Seoul Accommodation, South Korea Travel, Accessible Rooms, On-site Dining, Best Hotel Seoul
- Meta Description: A brutally honest and hilariously detailed review of Seoul's Secret: Happy Tears Hotel. Discover if this luxury hotel lives up to its name, from accessibility to the spa, dining, and everything in between. Spoiler: It's a wild ride!
First Impressions (and My Immediate Desire to Claw My Eyes Out After the Flight)
Landing in Incheon? Exhausted. Jet-lagged. Ready to eat ALL the kimchi. The promise of "Happy Tears" at the hotel was, let's be honest, pure marketing genius. After the chaotic, but ultimately efficient, airport transfer (Airport transfer – CHECK!), pulling up to the hotel felt like a soft landing. The architecture is… well, let’s call it "modern interpretations of traditional Korean motifs". Think sleek lines, lots of glass, and a (slightly unsettling) sculpture of a giant, chrome-plated origami crane in the lobby.
Accessibility – A Mixed Bag, TBH
- Wheelchair accessible – Yes, mostly! I'm not a wheelchair user myself, but I made it a point to look around. Elevators? Check. Ramps? Check. Wide hallways? Check. But… sometimes, you just get the feeling that "accessible" is a box they ticked, rather than a core design principle. Some of the public bathrooms were a little tight, and I'm not sure how easy the pool access is. Still, kudos for trying! (And no, I didn’t have to find the shrine for extra points.)
- Facilities for disabled guests – Available, though I can't vouch for how amazing they are.
- Elevator - Yes. Praise the heavens.
Getting Around (Other than the Wheelchair, of course!)
- Car park [free of charge] – Score! (Though I didn’t exactly trust myself behind the wheel after, you know, the flight.)
- Car park [on-site] – YES.
- Valet parking - Hmmm… snooty voice ahem, Yes. end snooty voice.
- Airport transfer - Mentioned.
Rooms: My Personal Sanctuary… Mostly
Okay, this is where things get interesting… and a little messy. My room? Gorgeous. Seriously. I opted for a higher floor (High floor – CHECK!), and the view was GORGEOUS. Imagine, if you will, shimmering city lights, the distant mountains, and the comforting knowledge that I could order room service at 3 am. (Room service [24-hour] – CHECK! And yes, I might have done that. Several times. It helped with the jet lag, I swear.)
- Available in all rooms: (Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens – CHECK, CHECK, CHECK! – That’s a LOT. Seriously, I was ready to live there.)
- The bed? Heavenly. I think I slept for about 12 hours straight the first night.
- Internet access – LAN – Still exists! Nostalgia!
- Internet access – wireless - Yeah, that was fine!
- Daily housekeeping - I’d give it a solid B+. They were efficient, but sometimes a little too efficient. One day, they threw away my half-eaten cookie. Traumatizing, I tell you.
- The blackout curtains were a godsend, especially after those aforementioned late-night room service sessions.
The Spa: My Happy Place (Literally, This Time)
Okay, this. This is where the "Happy Tears" actually started to flow. After the first grueling trek through the bustling Myeongdong shopping district (seriously, bring your walking shoes!), the spa was my refuge.
- Spa – YES.
- Massage - YES. And amazing massages. The masseuse, bless her silent, skilled hands, worked out knots I didn't even know I had.
- Sauna – Yes, although I never figured out how to get it just right temperature-wise.
- Steamroom – Yep.
- Pool with view – And a spectacular one at that!
- Body scrub - Worth it!
- Body wrap - Not my thing, but the option was there.
The Restaurant: Food, Glorified… and Sometimes Slightly Overpriced
The hotel had several dining options (Restaurants – CHECK!). From the casual coffee shop to the fancier international cuisine restaurant, there were tons of places to eat (Restaurants – And yes, I did that on purpose. Deal with it.).
- Asian cuisine in restaurant - Of course.
- Western cuisine in restaurant - Also, yes.
- Breakfast [buffet]- YES! And it was actually pretty good. (Breakfast [buffet]). The Asian breakfast was a delight, I indulged in international cuisine in restaurant on more than one occasion, and even the salad in restaurant was quite good.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant - The coffee/tea in restaurant was good.
- Desserts in restaurant - Oh dear heaven. It was all good.
- Room service [24-hour] - (Mentioned) Yep. Bless.
- Poolside bar - Yep, and the drinks were strong. Maybe a little too strong…
- Snack bar - Very convenient.
- And the staff? Sweet, polite, and always helpful, even when I was clearly battling the remnants of a kimchi hangover. (Don't judge.)
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, Well, Things)
- Anti-viral cleaning products - I'm assuming so, because… well, COVID.
- Daily disinfection in common areas - Yes. They were all over it.
- Hand sanitizer - Everywhere.
- Hygiene certification - Probably. I didn't ask to see a certificate.
- Individually-wrapped food options - Yup.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter - Mostly. The pool area got a little crowded…
- Rooms sanitized between stays - Probably.
- Staff trained in safety protocol - Seemed like it.
- CCTV in common areas - Check.
- CCTV outside property - Check.
- Fire extinguisher - Hope so!
- Front desk [24-hour] - Yes.
- Smoke alarms - Yep.
- Security [24-hour] - Check.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference (or Annoy You)
- Concierge – Extremely helpful. They arranged a cooking class for me (highly recommend!), and helped me navigate the ever-challenging subway system (the bane of my Seoul existence!)
- Currency exchange - Convenient.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service – The Dry cleaning and Laundry service were efficient, but EXPENSIVE. Like, "consider re-
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a Seoul-searching adventure! My trip to the Happy Tears Hotel (I swear, the name itself already gets me misty-eyed…) is going to be… well, let's just say it's going to be an experience. I'm not aiming for perfect Instagram-worthy shots; I'm aiming for a story. And trust me, this one's gonna be a doozy.
Day 1: Arrival and Jet Lagged Jitters (Plus, Ramen Dreams)
Morning (7:00 AM – My God, I'm up!): Officially landed at Incheon Airport. The sheer scale of this place is intimidating. Think a shopping mall that's also an airport, but with more… robots? And don't even get me STARTED on the customs line. Let's just say, my passport photo definitely doesn't look like me anymore (thanks to that questionable haircut I got before the trip). Finally, freedom! Now, to find that blasted shuttle to the hotel…
Breakfast(ish) (8:30 AM): Found a coffee shop at the airport and got a HUGE iced Americano. Big mistake. It's a good thing I was already awake because the caffeine rush made me think I could run a marathon. I nearly tripped over my own feet just walking to find the shuttle. At least the coffee was strong enough to make me (temporarily) forget I was a walking zombie.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Reached Happy Tears Hotel. Okay, it's not exactly a five-star palace, but has a simple charm. The lobby smells vaguely of lilies and… maybe disinfectant? Doesn't matter, the lady at the check in gave me a warm smile and that's enough for me! Checked in, hauled my suitcase (that feels like it's filled with bricks) up to my room.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): The room is… fine. Clean, compact, and has that classic hotel-room smell of, well, hotel. I'm fighting the urge to just collapse dramatically on the bed, but I have a mission: RAMEN. Jet lag is a beast. I’m also pretty sure I'm wearing my shirt inside out.
Late Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Wandered the streets near the hotel. Got completely and utterly lost. Ended up in some tiny alleyway filled with… well, I'm not entirely sure what, but it involved a lot of steaming pots and what I think might have been a very enthusiastic ajumma (older Korean woman) gesturing wildly at me. Pretty sure she was directing me somewhere for the best ramen. Found my way!
Dinner (5:00 PM): AAAAAAAH! The ramen. I'm going to say it was the best ramen I've ever tasted. The noodles… the broth… the egg! I basically inhaled it. The ajumma who had directed me to the place saw me and winked. I felt like I had conquered the world. (Also, my face is probably covered in broth. Deal with it.)
Evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Failed attempt at going to a karaoke bar. My singing voice is legendary… for how bad it is. Ended up retreating back to the hotel to… sleep.
- Thought of the day: Jet lag is a cruel mistress. And ramen is the cure.
Day 2: Palaces, Pancakes, and Petty Crime (Maybe?)
Morning (8:00 AM): Woke up! (Hallelujah!) Surprisingly, I don't feel completely like death warmed over. Decided to try to navigate the Seoul Metro. Wish me luck. (I'll need it.)
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Survived the Metro! Okay, maybe "survived" is a strong word. Let's say I made it to Gyeongbokgung Palace without getting completely lost or accidentally stepping on anyone's toes. This place is STUNNING. The architecture, the colors… it's just… wow. So many photo opportunities, even if I'm still not quite sure how to use the camera.
Lunch (12:00 PM): Found a tiny cafe near the palace. Ordered… something. It looked delicious in the picture! Took a chance, got one of the best pancakes I've ever had in my life. With a side of something called Kimchi, it was… interesting.
Afternoon (2:00 PM): Spent a bit of time in Bukchon Hanok Village. Wandered around, admiring the traditional houses, occasionally getting in the way of people taking pictures. Realized I needed to learn how to dress better; a very common theme of this trip.
Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Here's where things get a little… weird. I went to the National Museum of Korea. Brilliant, right? Culture, history… all that good stuff. Well, I got distracted. By… a gift shop. Okay, fine, I bought something. A tiny ceramic turtle. I have no idea why. It felt… important.
Dinner and potential petty crime (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Planned to check out a really cool street food market. Got distracted. Ended up taking a wrong turn and finding a dark alley which… may or may not have a shadowy figure lurking. I'm pretty sure the guy was trying to offer me some sort of… “deal.” I ran. Fast. I'm now eating convenience store ramyun in my room, feeling a little shaky and wondering if I should report this supposed "crime" or just… forget it ever happened.
- Thought of the Day: Seoul is beautiful, sometimes confusing, and a little bit intimidating. (And I love it.)
Day 3: Shopping Spree (and Regrets?)
Morning (9:00 AM): Finally managed to sleep in (sort of) . Feeling the aftermath of yesterday's adrenaline rush and instant noodles. Must. Stay. Calm.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Went to Myeongdong. This is THE shopping mecca. This is where the credit card gets destroyed. Let's just say the sheet mask count has significantly increased, and I may have bought more skincare products than I can physically carry. Regrets? Maybe later.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Street food! Hotteok, tteokbokki… everything was delicious, greasy, and completely worth every calorie. My stomach is officially protesting, but my tastebuds are in heaven.
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Tried to find an outlet that sells a Korean version of my favorite video game. Failed. Completely. Spent a long time wandering around listening to K-Pop blasting out of every store. It’s catchy though, even if I don't understand most of the words. Now I have a song stuck in my head.
Late Afternoon (5:00 PM): Hit a roadblock. Spent 2 hours trying to find the hotel. I’m pretty sure I went down the same street 4 times, with increasing frustration.
Dinner (6:00 PM): More ramyun. My wallet is weeping, and my stomach is full of instant noodles. I’m starting to think I should've packed more “real” food.
Evening (7:00 PM - onwards): Room service? No. Maybe? I have no idea what to do.
- Thought of the Day: Shopping in Seoul is both exhilarating and totally exhausting. I need more suitcases.
Day 4: DMZ (The Emotional Rollercoaster)
Morning (7:00 AM): Woken up. (Must. See. DMZ.) I signed up for a DMZ tour and am utterly unaccustomed to waking up early. I am still not completely sure what I’m going to see, but it’s supposed to be a really powerful experience.
Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): The DMZ tour. I'm not even sure how to describe it. The weight of history… the tension… it's all incredibly heavy. Standing at the border, looking across at North Korea… it's surreal. An emotional rollercoaster that started with me feeling overwhelmed and ended with a sense of profound hope.
Lunch (1:00 PM): Found a restaurant in the area and had a pretty standard Korean lunch. I think my brain was still processing everything.
**Afternoon (2
Seoul's Secret: Happy Tears Hotel - The ONLY Stay You'll EVER Need! (Or Maybe Not...It's Complicated)
Okay, Seriously, What *IS* This Place? Is it a Cult?!
Woah, woah, slow down! Cult? I mean, maybe the way I felt after, I'm practically a card-carrying member of the "Happy Tears Fan Club." But no, not a cult. (Pretty sure.) It's... well, it's the Happy Tears Hotel. Imagine, if you will, a hotel that's more like a therapy retreat crossed with a really boujee spa. Think plush robes, mood lighting, and a serious mission to make you, yes YOU, happy. They call it “emotional optimization,” which is a fancy way of saying they're gonna dig deep, find your sob stories, and then... well, *deal* with them. (In a generally nice way.) The whole vibe is very "Zen meets K-Pop." So, not a cult. Probably.
And the "Happy Tears" Part? Are we talking group therapy in a hot tub? (Please say yes)
Hot tub therapy? Dude, that's the *dream*! While there is, sadly, no group therapy in a hot tub, the "Happy Tears" thing is REAL. They have this whole system, right? Personalized "emotional assessments" where you spill your guts to a highly trained... well, let's just say, they're *very* good listeners. Then, based on your tear-filled confessions, they craft a customized experience. Sometimes it's a guided meditation (not my jam, tbh), sometimes it's a creative workshop (surprisingly healing!), and sometimes it's just... room service. But the BIGGEST thing is the "Tears-Soothing Ritual,” a post-session thing that... well, let’s just say, it *works*. (And yes, there are probably a few soggy tissues scattered around the hotel.) Consider me a believer. I may have bawled my eyes out, but I felt…lighter afterwards, like a huge weight had been lifted. (Even though it was a *really* big weight.)
So, what's the catch? Because everything sounds a little TOO good. Is there a secret ingredient? Like, forced happiness gas?
Okay, okay, you caught me. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. First off… the price. Let’s just say this place is not for the budget traveler. I’m talking "rent-a-car-sized-payment" type of expensive. Secondly, the whole emotional vulnerability thing? Yeah, that’s rough. I'm talking, raw. You're baring your soul to strangers. It's intense. And there are moments where you're just… sobbing. Like, ugly cry, snotty-nosed sobbing. Not the prettiest look, I assure you. But, and this is a BIG but, it's *worth it*. (Mostly.) There is no forced happiness gas involved, but if there were… I wouldn't be mad, honestly. Then there's that "Tears-Soothing Ritual." I won't spoil exactly what it is, even though you *know* I'm dying to. Let's just say it involves some beautiful, peaceful visuals and some seriously good Korean comfort food. I’m still drooling as I type, and maybe, just *maybe* a little bit of “happy gas” of their own.
What's the food like? Because I'm prioritizing that above all else. (Seriously.)
The food? **Forget the emotional stuff for a second.** The *food* is phenomenal. Like, Michelin-star level. I mean, they're playing to every emotion, right? Comfort food is a HUGE part of the healing process. I had a bulgogi bibimbap one night that literally brought tears to my eyes…and not just the "Happy Tears" kind. The level of detail and attention to detail is just *staggering.* Healthy options with such exquisite presentation, you'll be taking photos of your food. There's a tea ceremony with some seriously amazing teas, too. I might even have gotten a secret stash to take home! Yeah, the food situation? Definitely a highlight. (And possibly the *only* reason I'd consider selling a kidney to go back.)
Okay, you've piqued my interest. Tell me about a single experience that really stuck with you. Lay it on me, good and bad.
Alright, fine. Here's the MOST memorable thing. My emotional “assessment” was...intense, to say the least. The therapist (a very kind, very patient woman named Dr. Park. I think her kindness is probably a superpower) managed to unearth a whole bunch of unresolved issues I didn't know I *had*. Turns out, I'd been carrying around a mountain of resentment towards EVERYTHING. Including that one time I stubbed my toe in college! Seriously, all that bottled-up rage? It needed a release. And let me tell you, the release was the ugliest crying I've done in *ages*. (I may have clogged up the tissues supply.) Then, the guided meditation. Ugh. Not my thing. Thought I was going to fall asleep! But then came the "Tears-Soothing Ritual." Now, I’m a pretty cynical person. I don't trust anything too feel-good. Yet, during the ritual, they played my *favorite* music in the background, mixed with some gorgeous visuals, and the most delicious aromatherapy scents… and I swear, the bitterness I'd been carrying just...melted away. Like a popsicle on a summer day. Followed by… the food. I mean, I don't want to give too much away, But I swear my ramen was tailor-made for my very specific needs, with extra chili, and my perfect spicy broth. It was like my soul was being nourished from within. I swear, by the time I was done slurping the broth, I was practically grinning. Pure, unadulterated, slightly salty, and utterly blissful, deliciousness. That meal? Totally worth all the ugly crying. Even the high price tag.
Would you recommend the Happy Tears Hotel? And the most important question: Would YOU go back?
Alright, the big question: Would I recommend it? Yes. With a massive, slightly hesitant *yes*. It’s definitely not for everyone. If you're afraid of your feelings, terrified of crying, or just flat-out broke...maybe skip it. But if you're looking for a deep dive, a serious self-check, and have the resources, yeah. Go for it. It might be the most challenging, weird, and wonderful experience of your life. And… would *I* go back? Hmm… that's a tricky one. I would if I could afford it!! The emotional stuff is exhausting. And honestly, it's kind of embarrassing to be that vulnerable. But the food… and the *peace*? Yeah. I might just start saving up now. Even if I have to live on ramen until then. (But not the *hotel* ramen,Web Hotel Search Site
