Hotel Shilla started operations in March 1979 at the direction of Lee Byung-chul, founder of the Samsung Group. Before 1979, it was the state guest house of South Korea under the Park Chung Hee government. Now, it has been expanding into the commissioned management of fitness facilities as well as into the restaurant business. The Shilla focuses on "the harmony and beauty of modernism and tradition". They have hotels located in Seoul, Jeju, and Suzhou, China.
In January 2008, the Shilla was selected as one of the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure.[1]
The Seoul branch reopened to the public on August 1, 2013, after seven months of renovations, featuring the first year-round outdoor pool in Seoul ("Urban Island") and the Shilla-Sitaras Fitness Center.[2][3]
Facilities
There are two Presidential Suites at the Shilla Hotel, in Jangchung-dong, Jung District: the 280.9 m2 (3,024 sq ft) south wing with a blend of traditional Korean decor and the 390 m2 (4,200 sq ft) north wing with a Parisian palace decor.[4]
The fitness center, affiliated with Sitaras Fitness, is equipped with a digital measurement room, a first in Korea, and provides a differentiated fitness coaching service using a smart coaching system. A fitness program is customized for each client according to the results of a physical fitness assessment for systematic management.[5][6]
Shilla Hotel's Yeong Bin Gwan (영빈관) is considered a place where many celebrities (entrepreneurs, entertainers, etc.) get married. The wedding hall is divided into two-story Dynasty Hall (650 seats), Ruby Hall (130 seats) and Topaz Hall (120 seats) on the first floor. The more seats there are, the higher the price.[7]