The Shilla Seoul

The Shilla Seoul is one of the grand old names of the city's hotel scene. Owned by the Samsung group, it opened in 1979 on the slopes of Namsan in Jangchung-dong, just beyond the old city wall, and it is often described as the oldest luxury hotel in Seoul. It holds a Five-Star rating in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide, and its setting, among gardens and trees on the edge of the mountain, gives it a calmer feel than hotels in the middle of the city.

Rooms are elegant and comfortable, many with views of Namsan or the city, and the top floor houses the executive lounge. The hotel is especially known for its restaurants. La Yeon, the Korean restaurant on the top floor, is one of the most celebrated in the country and holds two Michelin stars in the 2026 guide. Continental, also on the top floor, serves French cuisine, Palsun is a Chinese restaurant with private dining rooms, Ariake serves Japanese cuisine with a sushi chef from Japan, and The Parkview, on the lobby level, offers an all-day buffet.

Leisure facilities are extensive. Urban Island, the outdoor pool on the third floor with a children's pool and rooftop garden, opens from spring to autumn and offers evening swimming, while an indoor pool and sauna are available all year. There is a spa, a fitness centre, a driving range and a putting green, and the shopping arcade includes boutiques such as Hermès and Graff.

The Shilla suits couples, families and business travellers who want a resort-like atmosphere within the city. The outdoor pool makes it a particularly good summer choice for families. It is slightly removed from the main sightseeing areas, but a free shuttle runs to Dongguk University Station and to Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, and taxis are always available. Book restaurants such as La Yeon well ahead, especially at weekends.

The hotel is a short walk or shuttle ride from Dongguk University Station on Line 3. Namsan's walking trails and the Seoul City Wall path run nearby, Jangchung-dong's famous jokbal (braised pork trotter) street is at the foot of the hill, and Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a short taxi ride away. Incheon Airport is around 90 minutes to two hours by road.