Korea’s Former State Guest House Reopens after Facelift

The Shilla Seoul has refurbished its famous Yeong Bin Gwan - a Korean-style banquet annex.

 The traditional two-storey Korean mansion, surrounding an inner courtyard in the manicured grounds of the hotel, has been restyled by world renowned designer Peter Remedios.

To celebrate the new look Yeong Bin Gwan, the hotel has created a special Business Meeting/Conference Package. Priced at US$190 per person for a minimum of 15 delegates, it includes overnight accommodation at The Shilla in a Superior Room with conference facilities and amenities for the day, coffee breaks and lunch. For delegates not staying at The Shilla, the price is US$60. Tax and VAT are not included.

The Yeong Bin Gwan was originally built in 1967 to host foreign state guests. During its five years as South Korea’s official state guest house, it hosted nearly 40 heads of state from around the world including kings, presidents, prime ministers and an emperor [Haile Selassie of Ethiopia].

Following a brief period as a wedding hall, Yeong Bin Gwan subsequently became the site for the Hotel Shilla – which opened in 1973.

The colourful building is now refurbished with a contemporary interior design and state of the art banquet facilities, and ready once again to host prestigious weddings, banquets, meetings, conventions, exhibitions and memorable events of all types.

Three separate venues as well as the inner courtyard and external garden are available either separately, accommodating as few as 120 guests, or combined for grand events with over a thousand guests.

On each side of the courtyard, the Ruby and Topaz rooms seat up to 150 for weddings, and over 200 for receptions. The elegant second-floor banquet area seats up to 120 for banquets or accommodates up to 200 for receptions and is accessed by 'floating concept' stairs.

It is directly linked to a vast external garden that can accommodate garden parties for over a thousand additional guests. The traditionally-paved, courtyard style Internal Garden is refurbished with eco-friendly materials including water, stones and trees. Intimately designed for private 'house weddings' for up to 260, or receptions for 400, the open-air venue can even be used in unpleasant weather – sheltered by roof-high drapery.

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