Korea - Seoul: Westin Chosun or Shilla

I am spending 3 nights in Seoul in September, and am trying to decide between the Westin Chosun and the Shilla. I am travelling with my wife, on vacation. We are flying into ICN (from JFK) at around 7pm on Friday night, then spending two full days in Seoul. Three nights total at the hotel. Would appreciate any comparisons between the Chosun and the Shilla. Thanks very much!

Also - I wouldn't mind any restaurant recommendations, suggestions re: things to do in Seoul, and recommendations for DMZ tours. Thanks!

In my travels to Seoul, I have stayed at the Marriott in Banpo area (south of the river). I asked the concierge for recommendations for things you are asking, so do the same at whichever hotel you choose. As for the DMZ tour, try to go with the USO group tour. When I went, the Korean tours were full and the concierge connected me with the USO group. I think this group tour was better, although I have no basis for the comparison. From what I have been told, the Korean tour group, especially for Koreans (I am Korean by birth but a US citizen), must go through more checks before they are allowed on the tour and has more restrictions on where they are allowed to go and see.
Some of the places I would recommend are Kyungbok Palace, City Hall Plaza (where lot of people cheered during the 2002 World Cup), Soong Nye Mun (South Gate), Nam San (the peak in the middle of the city north of the Han river), etc. Check out this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul) for description of some of these places.
Have fun.

HJ

Recommend Westin Chosun. It is centrally located, and is walking distance to Palaces (Kyongbok Palace, Duksoo Palace, Changkyung Palace) and Secret Garden.
You can take "Seoul City Tour bus" for the first day. Ask concierge.

If you need more help, let me know

Shilla is more like a resort hotel in a city. It is enclosed within a wall, has indoor golf range, etc. Rooms fairly large...but location is a little bit out of the way.

Chosun is a much older hotel, centrally located, smaller rooms but extremely good service, including a great breakfast - reminds me of the old Mandarin Hotel in HK.

I've stayed at both and would personally prefer Chosun - but you can't go wrong with either.

If you want a traditional Korean restaurant - albeit expensive, try Yongsusan, in the Chungdam area, tel 546-0647/8.

Ok, I might be biased and brainwashed, but most people I know in Korea do not hold Seoul in hígh esteem regarding trad Korean food. It might be well suited for Modern American, Italian or Japanese cuisine or maybe Korean fusion, but the heartland of Korean cooking will probably remain in the Jeolla and other southern provinces.

Ok, I might be biased and brainwashed, but most people I know in Korea do not hold Seoul in hígh esteem regarding trad Korean food. It might be well suited for Modern American, Italian or Japanese cuisine or maybe Korean fusion, but the heartland of Korean cooking will probably remain in the Jeolla and other southern provinces.

You might be right but tell it to all the local Korean government and business community that entertain their VIP guests at the restaurant I referenced ... :p

Is the chef from Jeolla by any chance? ;) More seriously, is this a "Royal Korean table" place?

You might be right but tell it to all the local Korean government and business community that entertain their VIP guests at the restaurant I referenced ... :p

Any advice on how to get from the airport (ICN) to the Westin Chosun? Is a taxi affordable or should I take a bus/train? (I've received too many warnings about NRT not to ask.)

Thanks

JHO

Any advice on how to get from the airport (ICN) to the Westin Chosun? Is a taxi affordable or should I take a bus/train? (I've received too many warnings about NRT not to ask.)

Thanks

JHO

Taxi about W$75K, depending on traffic, etc.
Bus about W$12K, yes, that low.

Polite suggestion to do a search - this subject has been covered numerous times.

Mos - have no freakin idea who and where is jeolla :) Yougsusan is near THE Blue house.

jonhoram, take Korean Air Limousine (line No. 1) from ICN. It would take roughly an hour from the airport to Westin. I think it is KRW 13,000 one way. If you fly Korean Air, I think that you can get discount (Ask flight attendants)

dtsm, Jeolla is provinces (North and South), and located southwest part of Korean peninusular. Gwangju is the biggest city in Jeolla.
Yonsusan is a chain restuarants. It has multiple locations. I believe there is one at Seoul Finance Center.

Most major hotel franchises in Seoul including Westin Chosun and Shilla have their representative available right outside of the Customs area. They will greet and direct you to the limousine bus stop. They will also call the hotel to notify your arrival. So, make sure give them your flight info in advance. Wish this service is offered in other cities and countries.

jonhoram, take Korean Air Limousine (line No. 1) from ICN. It would take roughly an hour from the airport to Westin. I think it is KRW 13,000 one way. If you fly Korean Air, I think that you can get discount (Ask flight attendants)

dtsm, Jeolla is provinces (North and South), and located southwest part of Korean peninusular. Gwangju is the biggest city in Jeolla.
Yonsusan is a chain restuarants. It has multiple locations. I believe there is one at Seoul Finance Center.

Great, thank you very much. Does anyone have a recommendation for a hole-in-the-wall bulgoki/galbi joint?

Whileas the only pulgogi I've eaten in Seoul was in a Lotteria burger, the Korea Times had this recent favourable review of a trad BBQ place: http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/200606/kt2006060118320411700.htm

It depends on what price range. You can easily find bulgogi/galbi joint almost every where in town. If you are staying at Westin Chosun, there is a Korean restaurant right across the hotel (Lotte Dept. direction). I am not sure the name but I guess is "hansarang" or something like that. It is operated by sister of a Korean well-known singer and radio personality. If you want something nice, try "Samwon Garden (http://www.samwongarden.com)" in Chungdam-dong. The father of LPGA golfer Grace Park owned the restaurant. Whenever Grace won major tournament, he gave free meal. So, hope Grace won when you are in town.

It depends on what price range. If you want something nice, try "Samwon Garden (http://www.samwongarden.com)" in Chungdam-dong. The father of LPGA golfer Grace Park owned the restaurant. Whenever Grace won major tournament, he gave free meal. So, hope Grace won when you are in town.

Great PR by the father but not food. Even my local friends agree...IMHO