I was thrilled when Samsung asked if I am interested in visiting Seoul for a short 4D2N trip. I jumped at the opportunity to rediscover Seoul, one of my favourite cities in Asia. All the pictures from this trip were taken by Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung NX 500.
South Korea’s government has issued an official statement saying that it is safe for people to go about their daily lives and for tourists to visit the country, as the Mers outbreak is contained within hospitals and there is no evidence of spread to the community.
So what are you waiting for?
Hotel Shilla
We flew Korean Airlines and I really look forward to my in-flight meal. I had the best bibimbap onboard during my first trip to Seoul few years back. True enough, the meal choices were great – we got to choose from 4 options! I also had a bowl of comforting juk topped with seaweed for breakfast.
Samsung put us in the best hotel in Seoul – Hotel Shilla! We arrived early and the morning and our rooms were not ready for check-ins. We walked around checking out the beautiful indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as the Guerlain Spa. I had a great time freshening up myself at the spa, best “onsen” experience ever.
A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. The Shilla Duty Free Shop is located inside the Shilla Seoul Hotel. The duty free shop offers over 500 brand-name products of perfume, cosmetics, clothes, bags, watches, and jewelry of various brands, all of which can be purchased at discounted prices. I bought my first batch of 3CE and IOPE brand products here!
My standard deluxe room offers a spectacular view of the Seoul city.
The room was one of the best that I have ever stayed in. Designed by world class luxury hotel designer, Peter Remedies, the room is chic modern and functional at the same time. The goose down bedding was super comfortable, I slept like a baby every night.
I had fun you-tubing with the 55-inch Samsung Smart TV and the 300Mbps high-speed wireless internet. They even have a technology kit ( USB cable, HDMI cable, Iphone charger cable ), perfect for both business and leisure travelers.
The bathroom is very spacious and modern, with a great rain shower and a tub.
The Shilla Hotel also provides top end amenities in the bathroom from Molton Brown.
I was surprised to discover these thoughtful welcome gifts in my room – red ginseng serum, power bank (my life savior throughout the trip!) and Koran traditional cutlery set.
High-end tea bags and coffee sachets were provided (free). The mini bar is also spotted with wines, champagnes and a wide varieties of imported cookies and snacks (chargeable).
The buffet breakfast is extremely nice with many different stations. According to my Korean friends, Shilla Hotel’s buffet breakfast and lounge is highly rated and is extremely popular amongst the locals. Hence, there is a queue to get in every morning.
I love the coffee station with a professional barista making the perfect cuppa for everyone who ordered, the free flow fresh fruit juices and various local produce cooked to perfection.
In regards to the location, the hotel is located on a little hill within 10-15 minutes of taxi ride from other popular areas such as Dongdaemun, Myeongdong, Gangnam, Insadong.
The Shilla Seoul
Address: 249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel:+82 2-2233-3131
Website: www.shilla.net/
Lunch @ Bistro Seoul 
Bistro Seoul is a great spot for lunch is you’re staying in around COEX.
I love the restaurant’s interior – it is classy and subdued.
Our 10 course summer menu was quite an experience. The boiled sablefish and spicy garlic beef stew were two of the most memorable dishes.
Bistro Seoul
Add: 159 Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu | Oakwood Premier Coex Center 1F, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: 02-3466-8022
Hours: Sun – Sat 11:30 – 22:30
Samsung Innovation Museum 
It is time to kill some calories – a museum tour is most appropriate. Do you know that Samsung Innovation Museum (SIM) is actually open for the public? On weekdays, a free guided tour is provided to groups of up to 20 people (reservation only). No reservations are required on Saturdays, but no guided tour is provided.
- Monday-Friday: 10a.m. – 6p.m. (Reservations Only)
- Saturday: 9a.m. – 5p.m. (Last Admission by 4:30p.m.)
First, we went through the history of Samsung. It is interesting to see how Samsung started as a small trading business involving in food processing and textile, and evolved to become the biggest conglomerate in South Korea
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Light bulbs light up darkness, phones connect people, TVs and radios broadcast culture, and washing machines and refrigerators enrich our lives in various other ways.
Electronics are essential parts of our everyday lives in modern society, and it is not exaggerating to say that electricity and electronics industry forms the backbone of our lives.
Through innovations, from the discovery of electricity to the latest smartphones, the electronics industry has added new value to our lives.
I love this part of Samsung Innovation Museum that exhibits the history and the future of such innovations brought by the electronics industry. That is also why it is named Innovation Museum.
Samsung Innovation Museum
Add: Samsung Innovation Museum, Samsung Electronics, Samsung-ro 129, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
Tel: 31-200-3113, 031-200-0200(for parking)
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10a.m. – 6p.m. (Reservations Only), Saturday: 9a.m. – 5p.m. (Last Admission by 4:30p.m.)
Website: http://www.samsunginnovationmuseum.com/
Garosu-gil
Garosu-gil is an area in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The locals call it the ginkgo trees street as the area is adorned with ginkgo trees.
Unlike Myeongdong that is often packed and crowded, Garosu-gil dazzles me with its collection of quaint stores and its unique bohemian atmosphere.
The array of open studios, ateliers, cafés, restaurants, bars, fashion shops, and prop shops blend together for a chic cityscape.
Garosu-gil
Getting Here: Sinsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 8. Go straight (250m), until you see the street on the left.
Line Friend’s Store & Cafe @ Garosu-gil
Line Friend’s Store & Cafe @ Garosu-gil excites everyone in my Facebook and Instagram virtual world. I’ve never known that Line is so big in Malaysia! First thing first, join the queue to take picture with the 3.2 meter high ‘Mega Brown’ plush
This themed cafe is too cute! Basically, everyone (kids or adults) lost control once they step their foot into Line Friends Store! Imagine seeing your favourite Line stickers such as Brown, Sally and Cony in “real life”!
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OMG OMG OMG! Please take all my money can?
Food and beverages are quite expensive here. My chocolate latte (6000 won) was nothing to shout about, who cares anyway?
Line Friends Store & Cafe
Add: 535-15, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: 070 7728 3244
Hours: 12:00noon – 9:00pm
Getting Here: Sinsa Station Exit 8, walk straight towards Garosugil street. Turn left at It’s Skin to find yourself at Garosugil Street. Continue to walk straight for about 8mins, Line Friends Store is on your left.
Dinner @ Wol Hyang 월향
Wol Hyang 월향 is a popular restaurant in Itaewon. They carry an extensive range of makgeolli from all over the peninsula, as well as their own brewed makgeolli, hence it is known as the place to go for 막걸리 (makgeolli). One is spoilt for choices here when it comes to makgeolli flavours, they have Original, Walnut with Honey, Chestnut, Mango Makgeolli and etc.
Even the food was amazing! The pancake platter was huge, with a wide varieties of pan fried seafood and vegetables. The boiled octopus is also a crowd’s pleaser.
Wol Hyang 월향 (Taste of the Moon)
Add: 335-5 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Tel: 02 794 9202
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, noon-4 a.m., Thursday-Saturday, noon-1 a.m.
Getting Here: Come out of Hangangjin Station (Line 6) exit 3 and walk straight. Take your third left and walk all the way down the hill until you see a bar on the corner called Moonshine (this is the wine bar connected to Wolhyang), the front entrance to Wolhyang will be just around the corner.
Mid Night Shopping @ Dongdaemun
We started our shopping at 9 pm, in non other than Dongdaemun! Please prepare enough cash for all the beautiful clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories for both retail and wholesale purchase.
As usual, I headed straight to Hello APM mall as stuffs in Doota are really expensive, albeit having better quality and design.
I wish I have more energy to explore the “wholesale” area, diagonally opposite Doota. Heard so much good things about shopping at Fashion Mall U:US.
Dongdaemun Shopping Area
Getting Here: Near Exit #14, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Subway Line 2, 4, & 5. Near Exit #8 or #9, Dongdaemun Station, Subway Line 1, & 4
