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.

In January 2008, the Shilla was selected as one of the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure.

[2][3] 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.

[5][6] Shilla Hotel's Yeong Bin Gwan (영빈관) is considered a place where many celebrities (entrepreneurs, entertainers, etc.)