The Shilla Seoul

The lobby is gorgeous and has a great style. The room isn't big, but I found it quite cozy, and it was very quiet at night, so I slept soundly. We booked a twin room, but the two beds were quite small, only about a meter wide each. We had two small children with us, and the front desk charged an extra 200 yuan or so per person per day, which I found quite unreasonable. If they had provided extra towels, toiletries, or even an extra duvet, or a small toy (without being asked), it would have felt like we were getting something for that value. But as it was, there was no difference compared to not paying, especially since even toothbrushes cost extra. As for cleanliness, don't scrutinize the details too much; a germaphobe would have to turn a blind eye. For example, the bathtub felt dirty to the touch, and there was hair wrapped around the faucet, but we probably wouldn't use it anyway, so don't dwell on it too much.

For this price point, the basic room hygiene was excellent, no complaints there! But apart from that, everything else was a letdown. If you're looking for a comfortable and convenient trip, this isn't the place. Location and Dining: The hotel is located on a mountain with a great view, but don't even think about walking anywhere. Besides a duty-free shop nearby (which is mostly frequented by personal shoppers), even getting a taxi is a hassle. For breakfast, be prepared to wait an hour. The front desk suggested I go before 7 AM to avoid the queue, which, to be fair, made breakfast quite good. When I checked in, I also inquired about dinner and good restaurants. The front desk staff claimed all their hotel restaurants were famous and delicious, especially the Japanese one. When I asked them to make a reservation for us, they said reservations usually needed to be made 30 days in advance. Fine. Then I thought, I'll just grab a coffee at the hotel cafe. Another wait... at least 30 minutes. Ugh... Returning to the hotel on the second evening, I found the lobby packed with people queuing all the way to the door, like a bustling market. They were all lining up for the buffet. If your F&B is that good, why bother with the hotel? Guests staying here can't even get a table because it's full of outside diners. The swimming pool was the same – tiny and completely overcrowded, impossible to actually swim. There must have been at least 50 people in there; it was more like a hot tub than a pool. Honestly, apart from sleeping, nothing else was good. Let's talk about the service: It felt like they were particularly reluctant to serve Chinese guests. When checking out, my child and I were carrying our luggage out, and there were many staff standing in the lobby who didn't offer to help. It was only when a car pulled up outside that someone came to assist us with our bags. What were all those people standing around in the lobby doing then? After my luggage was loaded, I got into the car and looked out the window to see the person who just helped me with my bags using my car window as a mirror to fix his hair. Hilarious! (This happened at 7 AM Korean time on the 19th). For this price, you're better off staying in Gangnam. Josun Palace is much better and similarly priced. To be honest, I'm very disappointed. It's a beautiful hotel, and the staff are all good-looking, but they clearly haven't been properly trained. I hope whoever cares about this hotel sees this review and seriously considers whether you are in the F&B business or hospitality. My experience of your hospitality was very poor. You did great in terms of the beautiful location and clean rooms, but you missed out on how to treat your guests that are staying at the hotel. Horrible experience. I don’t think you deserve the reputation you once had.

This hotel hosts a lot of weddings and events, so it's often crowded. Some of the facilities are a bit dated, but the bedding is incredibly comfortable and the views are fantastic. The location is quite convenient, though you do have to walk uphill every day. The front desk staff are also very welcoming.

I arrived late at night, and the hotel's location and facilities were excellent. The decor had a distinct Korean charm. The room wasn't huge, but it was perfectly adequate, and the bedding was incredibly comfortable. My only complaint would be that there was no one at the door to help with luggage when it was quiet at night.

My stay perfectly matched my expectations for The Shilla Seoul; if you're looking for an old-money vibe, this is a great fit. Hardware-wise, for a hotel with some history, it felt newer than I anticipated, and the crystal chandelier in the lobby is absolutely stunning. The room size was just right, with a wet and dry bathroom featuring a separate shower and bathtub. The windows and the view from the room are a major highlight. Even though my room this time didn't face Namsan Tower, it was still excellent. You'll need to bring your own toothpaste and toothbrush, but cotton swabs and shower caps are provided. The mini-fridge, snacks, and minibar are all chargeable. In terms of service, from getting out of the car to reaching my room, it met the high standards of a five-star hotel. The front desk staff spoke excellent English, and one even spoke Chinese to me during checkout (though I don't expect all of them to). This time, I also made sure to try the Room Service. The menu is in the desk drawer, and you can order using the in-room phone. The fried chicken and fries were very good; the portion was easily enough for two people or more. Regarding amenities, the bakery on the first floor of the hotel was bustling, mostly with local Koreans. I thought the taste was good, and the salt bread was particularly nice. The hotel lobby was almost always full, and there were constant business meetings and events happening on the left side, so you see a continuous stream of locals. The hotel offers a free shuttle bus, but you need to check the schedule carefully. Since I didn't use it, I can't offer advice. On either side of the hotel are Aesop and Moynat stores, and Shilla Duty Free is just a five-minute walk away. If your itinerary is well-planned and not rushed, staying at The Shilla is a great choice. It's not far to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seochon, Bukchon, Myeongdong, Seongsu-dong, and Hannam-dong by taxi from here. However, if you're trying to pack a lot into your schedule and rely mainly on the subway, it might not be as suitable. Seoul traffic can be quite bad. Personally, I would consider staying at The Shilla again. The service experience was very satisfying.

The hotel was, as always, clean and comfortable, making for a very pleasant stay. Its location isn't exactly central, which can be a bit inconvenient if you're traveling independently. However, it's within walking distance to Shilla Duty Free, and the hotel offers an hourly shuttle service to Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, both about 2-3 km away, which really takes the hassle out of getting around. There's a convenience store downstairs for easy daily purchases, and a ten-minute walk offers a wide variety of dining options. Overall, the service was attentive, the environment was quiet, and my friend and I had a very comfortable experience.