The Shilla Seoul stands at the foot of Namsan in Jangchung-dong, a quiet residential edge of central Seoul.

Its pools, lounge, and dining rooms are the draw, and a few of them come with conditions worth reading before you book.

The main lobby of The Shilla Seoul with a high sloped ceiling, a hanging curtain of crystal strands, wood-paneled balconies, and lounge seatingSee rooms & prices on Agoda
Photo supplied by Agoda for this property. It shows the lobby, not a guest room or the exterior.

Hotel at a glance

The Shilla Seoul

249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04605 · Dongguk University Station (Line 3, Exit 5)

  • Namsan or city views, depending on the room category
  • Indoor pool, plus a seasonal outdoor pool called Urban Island
  • The Executive Lounge on the 23rd floor for eligible bookings
  • Dongguk University Station, Line 3, Exit 5

Opens Agoda in a new tab. Rates, taxes, and availability are shown there, change by date, and are not checked by TripKopia.

At a glance

NeighborhoodJangchung-dong, Jung-gu, at the foot of Namsan
Address249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04605
Closest stationDongguk University Station, Line 3, Exit 5
Rooms464
Check-in / check-out15:00 / 11:00 on the hotel's room pages (other listings differ, see below)
FeaturesIndoor pool, seasonal Urban Island outdoor pool, Executive Lounge, five restaurants
Best forCouples, families, pool and dining stays, Myeongdong and Dongdaemun sightseeing
Less suited toNightlife, late-night street food, a hotel right on a subway interchange

Check-in and check-out times differ between sources: the hotel's room pages say 15:00 and 11:00, the Korea Tourism Organization says 14:00 and 11:00, and VisitKorea's English page says 15:00 and 12:00. Use the times on your own booking confirmation.

The photo in the booking card above comes from Agoda and shows the lobby. The photos below show the exterior, two room categories, and a lounge seating area.

Photos of the hotel

The exterior photo comes from the Korea Tourism Organization's listing for the hotel. The room and lounge photos are Agoda images for this property. Click any photo to enlarge it.

4 photos. Swipe to see more, tap to enlarge.

Photos: 한국관광공사 (Korea Tourism Organization), KOGL Type 3, from the hotel’s VisitKorea listing; Agoda (photo supplied for this property), Merchant permission, via the hotel’s Agoda listing. All shown unaltered.
The brick-colored main tower of The Shilla Seoul behind a tiled roof, with Namsan Tower on the hill at right

Hotel exterior (1 of 4)

The main tower from the car-park side, with Namsan Tower on the hillside at right.

None of these photos shows Urban Island, the indoor pool, or the dining rooms, so check the hotel's own pages for those.

Where it sits: the Namsan side of central Seoul

The hotel is on the eastern slope of Namsan, in Jung-gu. That makes it greener and calmer than the streets around Myeongdong, but it is not a walkable-to-everything location.

Dongguk University Station on Line 3 is the nearest subway stop, and the hotel lists Exit 5 as the way in. From there, Line 3 runs through Chungmuro and Gyeongbokgung, so central sights are a short ride rather than a walk.

For the wider choice of districts, the Seoul area guide compares where first-time visitors usually base themselves.

Shuttle buses and getting around

The hotel's location page lists shuttle routes to Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, plus a loop to Dongguk University Station. The Dongdaemun route serves the Dongdaemun Design Plaza area and nearby markets.

Routes, stops, and times change, so this guide does not copy a timetable. The hotel's location page shows the current schedule, and the front desk can confirm it on arrival.

If you skip the shuttle, a T-money card covers the subway and buses. The T-money guide explains how to buy and top one up.

Myeongdong is the closest big shopping and street-food area. N Seoul Tower sits on the same mountain, and Namdaemun and Dongdaemun are the two main market districts.

Rooms and views

The hotel's room pages list 464 rooms across deluxe, executive, and suite categories. Views are Namsan, city, or both, depending on the category and the floor, so not every room faces the mountain.

CategorySize listed by the hotel
Deluxe36 m²
Business Deluxe43 m²
Grand Corner Deluxe51 m²
Executive Business Deluxe43 m²
Executive Grand Deluxe53 m²
Superior Suite66 m²
Corner Suite68 m²
Premier Suite84 m²
Royal Suite124 m²
Shilla Suite159 m²

The hotel also lists a Presidential Suite. Bed setups, floor ranges, and view descriptions are on the hotel's room pages, and the Agoda page shows which categories are bookable on your dates.

A category name is not a promise about one specific room. If a Namsan view matters, choose a category that the hotel describes with that view and check it again on the rate you book.

Found a room category and view that fits your trip?

The Shilla Seoul, Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (foot of Namsan)

See rooms & prices on Agoda

Rates and availability are shown on Agoda.

Urban Island and the indoor pool

These are two different pools, and mixing them up is the most common planning mistake.

Urban Island is the outdoor pool area. The hotel lists a heated main pool, a children's pool, a jacuzzi, and cabanas. It is seasonal: the hotel's page showed a season from late March to mid-November when checked, so a winter or early-spring stay will not include it. Dates are set each year.

Access is for hotel guests, but it is not free for every guest. The hotel states that fees apply unless your package includes pool access, and children have a reduced rate from age 3 through 12. Children under 140 cm need a life jacket, and entry can be limited by weather or capacity.

The indoor pool is on the 3rd floor and, when checked, was listed as open from 06:00 to 22:00 and closed on the third Wednesday of each month. On weekdays, guests aged 13 and over (and 140 cm or taller) can enter. On weekends and holidays, children under 13 may enter with an adult. The hotel also lists a dry sauna and jacuzzis.

Fees, hours, and age rules change. Confirm them on the hotel's pages for your dates, and check whether your Agoda rate says outdoor pool access, indoor pool access only, or neither.

The Executive Lounge

The Executive Lounge is on the 23rd floor. The hotel lists breakfast, afternoon tea, and an evening happy hour there, and the minimum age is 13, with a limited weekend and holiday window for younger children.

Access is limited to eligible packages. Booking an Executive-named room does not automatically include it, and some rates are labeled "lounge access excluded". Read the rate details before assuming you can use it.

The lounge seating photo in the gallery is not presented as the Executive Lounge, because Agoda does not name the room.

Dining at the hotel

The hotel lists The Parkview and The Library on the 1st floor, Ariake and Palsun on the 2nd floor, and La Yeon and Continental on the 23rd floor. It also lists The Distillers Library bar and a Pastry Boutique.

Do not assume breakfast is included. Rates differ on this, and the dining page does not describe a breakfast arrangement for room guests. Check whether your rate includes breakfast and where it is served.

This guide does not list menus, hours, or prices, because they change. The hotel's dining page has the current details for each venue.

Dietary needs. Muslim travelers, vegetarians, and guests with allergies should ask each venue directly. The pages checked do not describe halal certification or allergen handling, so do not assume any dish suits those needs.

From Incheon Airport

The hotel pages checked do not list a free airport shuttle, so plan on public transport or a taxi. No fares or travel times are given here, because they change by hour and route.

Airport bus. Route 6702 of the K Airport Limousine service stops at Jangchung Gymnasium, which is near the hotel. Check the operator's page for the current stop list and schedule.

AREX plus subway. Take the airport railroad to Seoul Station, then take Line 4 to Chungmuro and change to Line 3 for Dongguk University Station. A route app confirms the current transfer.

Taxi. A taxi is the door-to-door option with heavy luggage. Ask for the hotel by its Korean name, 서울신라호텔, and the address, 249 Dongho-ro.

For the general options between the airport and central Seoul, see the airport to Seoul guide.

Who should stay here

Couples. A classic full-service hotel on a quiet slope, with a lounge and fine dining on site.

Families. Pools for children, family-size rooms, and a calm setting suit a family trip, especially between spring and autumn when Urban Island is open.

Hotel-focused trips. If the pool, lounge, and dining rooms are part of the plan, you will use more of the hotel than a sightseeing base does.

Myeongdong and Dongdaemun visitors. Both are a shuttle or short ride away.

Who may prefer another area

Nightlife seekers. Hongdae and Itaewon are far livelier after dark. The Seoul area guide compares them.

Travelers who want to walk everywhere. The hotel sits on a slope, and most sights need the subway, the shuttle, or a taxi.

Winter pool seekers. Urban Island is seasonal, and the indoor pool has age rules.

South-of-the-river stays. For Jamsil and a theme-park trip, see the Signiel Seoul guide.

What to check before booking

Room category and view. Match the view and bed setup to what you want, and remember a category is not a guarantee for every room.

Rate inclusions. Outdoor pool access, indoor pool access, Executive Lounge access, and breakfast can all differ by rate.

Dates against Urban Island's season. The season and its closures are set each year.

Guests and ages. Count children and teens by age, and match them to the pool and lounge rules.

Check-in and check-out times. Sources disagree, so use your confirmation.

Taxes and fees. Compare the final payable total, not a nightly headline.

Decided the Namsan side of Seoul suits your trip?

The Shilla Seoul, Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (foot of Namsan)

See rooms & prices on Agoda

Rates and availability are shown on Agoda.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Shilla Seoul near Myeongdong?

It is in the same central district, but not on foot. The hotel lists a shuttle to Myeongdong, and the subway is a short ride away.

Does every room have a Namsan view?

No. Views are Namsan, city, or both, depending on the category and floor. Confirm the view for the rate you book.

Is Urban Island open all year?

No. It is seasonal, and the hotel's page showed a season from late March to mid-November when checked. Confirm the dates for your stay.

Is Urban Island free for hotel guests?

Not for every guest. Fees apply unless your package includes pool access, so check the rate details.

Is the indoor pool the same as Urban Island?

No. The indoor pool is on the 3rd floor with its own hours and age rules. Urban Island is the seasonal outdoor area.

Does my room include Executive Lounge access?

Only on eligible packages. An Executive room name alone does not guarantee access.

Is breakfast included?

Do not assume it is. Check your rate for breakfast and where it is served.

Which subway station is closest?

Dongguk University Station on Line 3, Exit 5.

Is there an airport shuttle?

None is listed on the pages checked. Bus 6702 stops at Jangchung Gymnasium, and the subway and taxi are the other options.

Does this page list room rates?

No. Rates and availability change by date and are shown on the booking page.

Sources

Information is compiled from official sources. Details such as prices, hours, and schedules can change. Confirm time-sensitive facts before you travel.

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