Two Year Makeover Creates a Glamorous Modern Look for The Shilla Seoul

Jul 03, 06 | 7:56 am

South Korea’s premier hotel The Shilla Seoul has unveiled a fresh and elegant new look on completion of an extensive two-year makeover creating a "lifestyle destination" with dramatically improved shopping, dining, health and beauty, wedding, conference and business facilities.                                                           

The renovation includes a new lobby, lounge and bar, conference centre and restaurant with open-air terrace along with one of only two L’Institut de Guerlain spas in Asia. 

Also restyled are the grand ballroom, meeting rooms, executive conference centre and all public areas -- with a prestigious new shopping arcade now showcasing over 20 world-famous brand name boutiques, high profile Korean labels and famed 'florist to the stars' Paula Pryke.  

The Shilla’s contemporary Korean makeover with wood and stone décor was created by international designer Peter M. Remedios of Remedios Siembieda, who has undertaken landmark projects from Grand Hyatt Tokyo to Four Seasons New York.  

A makeover of The Parkview has created a unique new casual concept restaurant with panoramic views seating 214 with 'food stations' for made-to-order steaks, charcoal grill barbecue and roast carveries; seafood, salads and sushi; and the first Chinese dim-sum buffet in Seoul, prepared by specialist Chinese chefs. 

Specially-trained baristas serve a range of coffees and the restaurant  incorporates a new open-air terrace presenting weekend champagne brunches and serving as a venue for functions, corporate events and theme parties. Private rooms with stunning views are also available.  

The stylish new Library Bar & Lounge integrates four separate venues -- a VIP Bar, Library Bar, Library Lounges and Communal Bar -- featuring live jazz, an extensive wine cellar and a collection of over 70 single malt whisky brands.  

Palsun, The Shilla’s celebrated Chinese restaurant, has been sleekly restyled by world-renowned Japanese designer Kanji Ueki , who also redesigned the Japanese restaurant, Ariake. Already praised by China’s former Head of State Jiang Zemin and former Prime Minister Zhu Rong-Ji, the Palsun now ranks among the finest Chinese restaurants in Korea.  

The Shilla’s grand ballroom, Dynasty Hall, the scene of many high profile international gatherings, is renovated in "modern Korean" style with a luxurious new grand ballroom and state-of-the-art facilities.  

Designed specifically for Seoul's premier business address, the new Executive Conference Center at Shilla features a fresh contemporary design with six meeting rooms and a boardroom -- all equipped with latest communications technology and serviced by professional meeting coordinators. 

Also high on the agenda are health and wellness facilities, with the opening of the prestigious L’Institut de Guerlain spa and the world renowned anti-aging La Clinique de Paris -- along with a dermatology clinic, dental clinic and oriental medicine consultancy.  

A new-look Pastry Boutique serves home-made pastries, pies, breads, cakes, home-made deli specialties, chocolates, fine olive oils and vinegar, tea and pasta.  

In the prestigious new-look Shopping Arcade are over 20 world-famous brand name boutiques and high profile Korean labels including Ermenegildo Zegna, Flou, Gianfranco Ferre, Hermes, Issey Miyake, John Lobb, Judith Lieber, Loro Piana,Sonya Rykiel, Akris, Welltime, Stephen Webster, Myeongborang, Saint Louis, Puiforcat  and Vera Wang -- while Davidoff is in a new first-floor outlet.  

Included in the star-studded lineup is one of Britain's leading florists, the internationally renowned Paula Pryke Flowers, providing floral consultation for events, weddings and receptions. 

The famed ‘florist to the stars’ with clients ranging from royalty, presidents and heads of state to actors, pop stars and television celebrities including Julia Roberts and Kate Winslet offers a 'one stop shop' at The Shilla for fabulous weddings, twinning her floral arrangements with gowns by celebrity New York-based designer Vera Wang.  

Consistently voted the premier 5-star hotel in both Seoul and South Korea, the 465-room, Shilla Seoul is an affiliate of the Samsung Corporation and member of the prestigious The Leading Hotels of the World. 

About Shilla Hotels & Resorts   

The Shilla is one of Asia’s most admired hotel groups, with The Shilla Seoul consistently voted South Korea’s top hotel by international polls and repeatedly named in Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious Gold List of the ‘World’s Best Places to Stay’.   

Travel + Leisure also included The Shilla Seoul in Its ‘500 World’s Best’ awards for 2005 – as ‘Best Hotel’ in South Korea, where it was also the only hotel to achieve the ranking. 

America’s influential Zagat Guide rated The Shilla ‘Best Business Hotel in Seoul’ – while the prestigious annual Euromoney poll recently named it Seoul’s favourite hotel for the fourth year running.