Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / South Korea / Seoul / The Shilla Seoul
The Shilla Seoul
Seoul, South Korea · The Shilla · Grand Luxury
Samsung founder Lee Byung-chull opened The Shilla Seoul in March 1979 on the former Yeongbingwan state guest-house grounds in Jangchung-dong, with early guidance from Tokyo's Hotel Okura. Named for Korea's Silla dynasty, the 464-room flagship hosted the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit, added Urban Island (the city's first year-round outdoor pool) in 2013, and is home to three-Michelin-star Korean restaurant La Yeon. Forbes Five-Star and MICHELIN One Key.
- 464 rooms
- Opened 1979
- Neighborhood: Jung District
- Rooms from 388 sq ft (36 m²)
- Interiors: Peter Remedios
About The Shilla Seoul
- Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chull directed the hotel's creation in 1979 on a site that had previously served as South Korea's state guest house under President Park Chung-hee.
- Its name honors the Silla dynasty, celebrated for a thousand-year golden age of Korean art and culture.
- The hotel hosted the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit, continuing a long run as a venue for state visits.
- Korean restaurant La Yeon has held three Michelin stars since 2016.
- A 2013 renovation added Urban Island, Seoul's first year-round outdoor pool.
History
The Shilla Seoul opened in March 1979 at the direction of Lee Byung-chull, founder of the Samsung Group, on a site in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, that had previously served as the state guest house (Yeongbingwan) of South Korea under President Park Chung-hee. Named after the Silla dynasty, celebrated for a thousand-year golden age of Korean art and culture, the hotel was built as Samsung's flagship in hospitality, with early guidance drawn from a partnership with Japan's Hotel Okura.
Long a venue for state visits and international summits, including the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit, it reopened on 1 August 2013 after a seven-month renovation that added 'Urban Island,' Seoul's first year-round outdoor pool, and the Shilla-Sitaras fitness center. The hotel offers 464 rooms, including 38 suites, and its Korean restaurant La Yeon holds three MICHELIN stars.
The setting
2 km from Myeongdong Cathedral in the Myeong-dong neighborhood.
Restaurants and bars
- La Yeon — Restaurant · A modern reinterpretation of traditional Korean cuisine · Two MICHELIN Stars
- Continental — Restaurant · Authentic French cuisine with elegant depth
- Ariake — Restaurant · Authentic Japanese cuisine to delight all the senses
- Palsun — Restaurant · The essence of authentic Chinese cuisine
- The Parkview — Restaurant
- The Library — Restaurant
- The Distillers Library — Restaurant
- Pastry Boutique — Café
Experiences
- Clé de Peau Beauté Spa — After your treatment, relax with signature tea in the Resting Lounge overlooking Namsan's four seasons.
- Leeum Museum of Art — A cultural experience at Leeum Museum of Art, where tradition blends with modernity and architecture and art come together in harmony.
- Jogging Course — Along a refreshing forest path, breathe in the verdant atmosphere of Namsan with every step, and return feeling revitalized and renewed.
Amenities
- Spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Fine dining
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
Open The Shilla Seoul in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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