US traveler here, We chose The Shilla for the breakfast which is pretty impressive. I would say it's a Vegas Buffet style breakfast. Tons of high quality well prepared foods rather than a few standouts. If you have kids or you're on a long trip and don't want to get bored, the variety will wow you. I do wish they did more Korean food though. They had some, but on a trip to Korea I'm hoping to eat mostly Korean food. The hotel itself is super nice and great location, very central and easy to get anywhere. Service is cool, they remember your name sometimes, that kind of place. There will be a lot of business people at this hotel. People will be wearing suits everywhere you go. I'm on vacation from San Diego wearing my flip flops and I felt a little (just a little) out of place. But I didn't really care, just letting you know in case you do.
The Shilla Hotel
Address: 249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04605 Korea -100-392Availability
Description
Facilities
Reviews
if you are used to 5 stars in Europe I wouldn’t aim for this Hotel. I’m still trying to find those five stars. The rooms are trying to be nice but they are shabby and very poorly updated. The Hotel is on a hill which means you can’t just walk out on the street, you have to take a taxi to get somewhere/anywhere definitely not coming back and definitely not recommend it.
One of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in Seoul. The service was exceptional from check-in to departure, and every part of the property felt polished and well maintained. The rooms were comfortable, the facilities were excellent, and the overall atmosphere struck a perfect balance between luxury and comfort. What stood out most was the attention to detail and professionalism of the staff, which made the stay feel truly memorable.
Before we came we didnt know what to expect as some reivews were pretty negative. That the Shilla had lost it touch, was no longer that good etc. This is total nonsense! Maybe bots? Let me be very clear: the Shilla is amazing! If you plan to visit Seoul, just book because you will be very satisfied, simple as that. I have never experienced a more friendly staff or top notch service. The rooms are equally amazing, comfy beds and everything you need. Interior of hotel is super sleek. The hotel has a very nice bar with live jazz every night (I think) and also highend shops, swimming pool, sauna, onsen, jaccuzzi, gym etc etc. Now let me tell you about the breakfast buffet. Its next level. From local cousine to basically everything you can think of, at the highest level of course. Looking forward to visiting the Shilla the next time we are in Seoul!
I have been a loyal guest at The Shilla Seoul for years, typically staying for 4 to 7 days in a Grand Corner Deluxe room. There is an undeniable charm to the hotel’s history, but that same history seems to have left a lingering, stale scent of tobacco or cigars in the rooms—a remnant of when smoking was likely permitted. Even with an air purifier provided by the front desk, the odor returns whenever I step back into the room after being away. The views, whether of the city or Namsan, are consistently beautiful and unique. However, the service experience feels quite rigid. It often comes across as a practiced, manual-driven courtesy that lacks genuine warmth or flexibility. When a situation arises outside of their set protocols, the staff seems visibly flustered. As a frequent guest, I have found them notably unaccommodating, particularly regarding elite benefits; despite holding premium cards, I have never been granted a late check-out, with "full occupancy" cited as the reason regardless of the length of my stay. Furthermore, the breakfast experience has become increasingly chaotic—often resembling a crowded marketplace. While a busy atmosphere is expected in a large 5-star hotel, I have noticed a disappointing decline in culinary quality over the years. This year, the food was excessively sweet. Almost every salad, including the fresh vegetables and even the tomatoes, was coated in sugary dressings or syrups, making them taste almost like dessert. For a property that stands as one of Seoul’s premier 5-star hotels, this lack of balance in the menu and the rigid approach to service are truly unfortunate.
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