The Shilla Seoul

My experience at The Shilla was pure perfection. I went to Seoul for work several times recently from Australia, and was blown away by the hospitality and staff, the quality of the rooms and the luxuriousness of the hotel in general. My first trip was with several fellow international colleagues and the hotel wasn’t one that the local Korean team in our company recommended. On reflection, this would have been based on location as our offices are in the main business district. However the closer hotels weren’t available as it was very last-minute that we were asked to go to Seoul. One of our party DID get a more central hotel and we went there to see him on our last day, and the consensus was that it was inferior and we’d all have much rather stayed at the beautiful Shilla and got a taxi into downtown (taxis / Ubers in Seoul are cheap!). The staff at the Shilla are exceptional. Everyone was so helpful and even though I don’t speak Korean, they either spoke English or found someone within a moment. Their willingness to help was consistently professional and kind. On my most recent work visit, my husband joined me (it was his birthday and I knew he’d love Seoul and especially The Shilla) and even though it wasn’t planned, the staff went the extra mile to not only made him feel welcome, but did some things above and beyond a world class hotel would do. Julie was incredible at making the above happen. Thank you Julie for such an amazing stay, and organising some beautiful things for the birthday boy. The Shilla is the one. It’s the only place to stay. P.S. The above is not AI, and hasn’t been through AI – you can tell by my style of writing other reviews that I wrote years ago on here! 😊

The Shilla Seoul has long been regarded as one of Korea's premier luxury hotels, so I arrived with very high expectations. Unfortunately, my first impression was one of disappointment. The room was clean, and the breakfast was excellent. However, what was noticeably missing was the feeling of genuine hospitality. Luxury hospitality is not measured only by beautiful facilities or a good breakfast. It's the small details that make guests feel welcomed from the moment they arrive. During my stay, there was no welcoming amenity such as fresh fruit, snacks, or even a simple handwritten welcome note. The only notable benefit was the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts dining credit, which is provided by Amex—not by the hotel itself. As a guest, I didn't feel that the hotel made any particular effort to create a memorable arrival experience. Having recently stayed at both Andaz Seoul and Grand Hyatt Seoul, I found those hotels to be significantly warmer and more guest-focused. Their staff made me feel genuinely welcomed, and the overall experience reflected what I personally expect from a luxury hotel. The Shilla certainly offers a beautiful property and an outstanding breakfast, but luxury is about more than facilities. It's about making guests feel valued. Based on this stay, I personally found the hospitality experience at Grand Hyatt Seoul and Andaz Seoul to be superior. I genuinely hope The Shilla continues to evolve, because it has all the ingredients to be exceptional. My intention in writing this review is simply to share an honest experience that may help future travelers set their expectations.

It is one of my favourite hotels in Seoul, I always ask for the Namshan park view with the Seoul Tower. The room is immaculate topped with the day and night view of Namshan park. The gym and indoor swimming pool are pure indulgence to a trip. Take a hike up to Seoul Tower, a really pleasant walk up the hill from the hotel which I always do.

I recently travelled to Seoul with my family and stayed at The Shilla from June 18–22, 2026. Our experience was exceptional from start to finish. The accommodations were impeccable—the rooms were spotless, clean, and meticulously maintained. I was particularly impressed by the diligence of the housekeeping staff, who managed to find my diamond earring after I had given up hope of locating it. Additionally, the concierge service was also amazing. Special shout out to Daisy Koh who was incredibly helpful, securing last-minute plans for me for my husband on Father’s Day and providing wonderful recommendations for both dining and logistics. I highly recommend The Shilla to anyone travelling to Seoul and look forward to returning with my family again.

I had a wonderful stay at The Shilla Seoul with my family. The bedding was incredibly comfortable, and we slept very well. The food was excellent, and the duty-free shopping inside the hotel was very convenient. The location was perfect, with easy access to N Seoul Tower and Myeong-dong. Most importantly, the staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming throughout our stay. Thank you for helping us create such special family memories. We look forward to visiting again.