THE SHILLA Seoul — Hotel in Seoul

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Nestled in the vibrant heart of Seoul, The Shilla Seoul stands as a paragon of luxury, harmonizing Korean heritage with contemporary elegance. Established in 1979 by Lee Byung-chul, the visionary founder of Samsung Group, the hotel has long been a distinguished emblem of refinement, welcoming VIPs, dignitaries, and global elites as a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World. The Shilla Seoul boasts 464 exquisitely designed accommodations, including 170 suites, 42 Executive Suites, and two Presidential Suites, all epitomizing understated opulence. My stay was in a Business Deluxe Room, an elegant sanctuary designed by the acclaimed Peter Remedios, seamlessly blending modern sophistication with traditional Korean influences. The spacious 43-square-meter room features a king-size bed, a sitting area, a well-appointed workspace, and panoramic views of either Namsan Mountain or the Seoul skyline. Thoughtful touches such as Molton Brown toiletries, a meticulously arranged closet, and an open-plan bathroom with a rain shower, bathtub, and Japanese-style toilet further elevate the comfort. The twice-daily housekeeping service ensures a seamless experience. Culinary excellence is a defining aspect of The Shilla Seoul, beginning with breakfast at The Parkview. This refined buffet presents an expansive selection of high-quality dishes, ranging from freshly baked pastries, squeezed fruit juices, and premium cold cuts, to an array of salads, yogurts, and hot Asian and international specialties. The live cooking station adds an artisanal touch, offering delicate à la carte creations such as Truffle Eggs Benedict or Truffle Omelette. By night, The Parkview transforms into a sophisticated dining destination, boasting an indulgent buffet that includes fresh sashimi, crab legs, Peking duck, dim sum, and grilled meats, complemented by a carefully curated selection of wines and beers. Beyond its exquisite dining, The Shilla Seoul offers a haven for leisure and indulgence. The Library, a plush lounge designed by Peter Remedios, exudes intellectual charm with its cozy fireplace, live jazz performances, rare whiskies, and a curated collection of historical literature. The Pastry Boutique, a sanctuary of artisanal craftsmanship, showcases a dazzling selection of handcrafted chocolates, delicate pastries, and premium teas in an atmosphere of refined sophistication. For rejuvenation, guests can escape to the hotel's world-class wellness facilities. The Clé de Peau Beauté Spa offers bespoke facial and body treatments, while the state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, and sauna provide avenues for relaxation. The Urban Island, an exclusive rooftop retreat, features heated pools, Jacuzzis, cabanas, and panoramic sunbeds overlooking the city, creating a breathtaking sanctuary above Seoul’s bustling streets. An added allure is The Shilla Seoul’s exclusive shopping arcade, boasting an enviable selection of luxury boutiques such as Hermès, Molton Brown, Brioni, Issey Miyake, Kiton, and Stephen Webster, complemented by a Duty-Free shopping center within the premises. From its unparalleled service and world-class gastronomy to its sumptuous leisure facilities and sophisticated accommodations, The Shilla Seoul reigns as a premier luxury retreat, embodying the essence of Korean elegance and modern grandeur. In my view, it is a true gem of East Asia, setting the benchmark for refined urban...

Stayed here 4 times, first 2 was amazing. 3rd time was earlier this year during winter, room requested was not ready as the previous guests smoked in the room. The maintenance team took care of it Promptly and professionally in a couple of hours. Kudos to the maintenance team/house keeping team. Hotel did not charge the previous guests for flouting the rules, according to the staff. The 4th time was bad!!! Which was 10th August 2019, Our check in experience was one of the worst for a top rated hotel! Booked the room for 3 including an additional bed/bunk bed, checked in at 4pm, room was not ready pending final inspection from housekeeping team. Then the main issue arises, no additional bed for the 3rd guest, and asked us to be on a additional bunk bed waiting List as they did not register our request which was sent weeks ago via Email directly to the team with an official reply stating it would be done. Check in team told us to have the 3rd person sleep on the sofa and they would provide blankets and pillow. reason: they ran out of additional beds. Is this what we should be expecting from a top rated hotel in Korea? To have your guess sleep on the sofa? Took us 20- 30 mins to get them to recognize the issue and own the mistake to fix it. By the way, for the record, we booked the room for 3 pax right from the start. If there is an issue with Agoda (I am not sure) please fix the communication with them. It’s just an IT issue.

After 10-15 mins speaking with the staff, the Manager/ or senior member of the team came out and shared that there is no more bunk we will have to be put on the waiting list and if we get the bed, it would be FOC! Wow! That’s great! BUT i booked the room for 3! I don’t want to be on a waiting list for the 3rd bed! Where is our 3rd guest going to sleep? Btw, they suggested Sofa with blankets and pillows. This is not couch surfing, this is Shilla hotel. We shared that this is not our first time staying here and we have been here about 3-4 times, why are we facing this issue now? Manager/ senior staff replied: “Based your Agoda record you have only stayed here twice with us. but that’s not the issue...” me in my mind: Gosh really?! speechless I guess they know better than we do. Anyways, even if we haven’t stayed here previously, I guess that’s not the way to make your guests feel uncomfortable with the whole check in process... —— extremely disappointed 10th August 2019 check In experience at about 3.50pm-4.20 pm

Nonetheless, This is still a great place and has great amenities and great view, but what makes the hotel top rated is the service of the staff from the beginning to the end. I In conclusion, still a great hotel but good luck to you if it is during the peak season, they might not be able to handle your requests well. 3.15am from...

Outstanding luxury hotel located close to landmarks and shopping alike. We had a two day stay at this hotel, I'd almost call a resort. Our first impression was wonderful just given the quality of service the Korean staff provided. First of all, most spoke good English so little to no language barrier, second their politeness and attentiveness to guests are some of the best I have ever experienced. They are constantly checking to ensure you have everything from a clean plate to calling a taxi to overall checking your well being, but all of that without feeling pestered. The hotel has a plethora of amenities from a golf range (putting included), to vast gym, pool, 4 restaurants, a spa, bakery, and finally a large duty free mall right on property. It is difficult to describe just how much there is to do onsite. We had a deluxe double room city view which was very beautiful at night. The room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was spacious with enough room for a toilet, shower, tub, and full vanity. Within the room, they spare no expense with comforts such as automated blinds, complimentary water bottles, a vanity kit (extra charge) and technology kit with various electronic charging hookups you can borrow. There are a number of restaurants onsite including formal Chinese and French, to a high quality buffet with a la Carte options. We had the latter for both breakfast and dinner. The buffet is rather expensive, about $80 USD for breakfast and $130 USD for dinner all per person. However, as a guest, you do receive a large discount of about 30%. For those hesitant about a buffet, don't think Golden Corral or any other low end buffet from the States or elsewhere. This buffet served over 50 options per course with high quality items from Sushi, Omelettes, crab legs, lobster, soups, salads, waffles and souffle pancakes to meat and cheese stations. There is also a variety of baked goods in the morning and a large offering of desserts in the evening including strawberry shortcake, pecan pie, ice cream, macarons, chocolates, pudding, etc. Again, the quality was well beyond your typical buffet style. There is an army of staff and chefs to keep the place flowing, and back to stellar customer service, waiting staff there to checkin and ensure you have drinks readily available. I would recommend planning ahead though by making a reservation if you plan to visit, especially dinner. We did not and had to wait about 30min during prime time. Overall, I highly recommend this establishment. You definitely get what you pay for, and you will be...