Review of Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London

The Shard is situated in the fashionable borough of Southwark - overlooking London Bridge Station – and on the south bank of the River Thames.

While the luxury boutiques of Knightsbridge and Old Bond Street are a 30-minute journey across the river by taxi, there are several stand-out landmarks worth a visit within walking distance of the hotel. The Tate Modern – contemporary art from 1900s onwards, Borough Market - the city’s oldest food & vegetable market, Shakespeare’s Globe – the Bard’s 17th century stage, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are all just a few minutes away on foot. The hotel is ideal for the business community as the “City” is a short walk away and for families who wish to discover a different part of London or be located away from the hubbub of Central London. 

Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London is located 32 kilometres from Heathrow Airport, and up to half an hour by taxi from the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras Station, the Heathrow Express terminal at Waterloo Station and from Victoria Station (direct rail link from Gatwick Airport). The hotel is also just a short taxi journey from London City Airport. 

Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, London offers 185 well-appointed rooms and 17 suites – including 5 signature suites - set over fifteen floors (levels 36 to 51). Each room features floor to ceiling windows, Frette linens on the Shangri-La beds, marble bathrooms with underheated floors and mirrors inset with televisions. The toiletries in the bathroom are from L’Occitane – the scent of Provence. The furniture is modern with Chinese twists … Shangri-La is a Hong Kongese luxury hotel & resort brand after all.

Guests can choose a view – either central London or one of the counties that surround the city. On a clear day, you can see 60 kilometres away from your window … and at night, the moon & stars just look & feel … closer …

The Suites offer larger bedrooms, living rooms, private entrances, private butler service, dining rooms, kitchenettes, Acqua di Palma - the classic scent of Milan – toiletries in the bathrooms and telescopes with which to soak up the views with.

Guest room sizes start at 30 square metres (322 square feet) and increase to 232 square metres (2494 square feet) for the Shangri-La Suite. 

The guest experience begins before you arrive at the hotel. If you are entering London by plane, train or automobile, you cannot miss this 309.6 metre (1016 feet) structure that dominates the city skyline. Check-in at the Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, London is on the Ground Floor from where you then step onto an elevator (one of 36 in the building that travels at an ear-popping 6 metres per second) to your room or suite. Valet parking is available. 

Being a Far East luxury hotel & resort group, service is a strong point for the hotel and every staff member you will greet you with a big smile and a kind word. 

After tearing yourself away from the view from your guest room, you can head to one of the hotel’s restaurants & bars or head to the 52nd floor Sky Pool, sauna and gym. There are 11,000 windows that clad The Shard and from the infinity pool windows, you can enjoy sensational vistas of London and the surrounding area. There is no formal spa, but a plethora of treatments can be booked and enjoyed in your guest room.

If you are staying in the Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, London there are three more floors of the building that you also need to visit – 68, 69 and 72. The 68th floor is the Sky Boutique – that offers gift items and access to the 69th floor which offers the main indoor viewing platform. For those wishing to brave the elements, the is an outdoor viewing platform on the 72nd floor which is 244 metres (801 feet) above street level. Sensational!

The Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, London is wheelchair accessible. The hotel allows small pets to stay in certain guest rooms although there is a charge for their stay. Pets are not allowed to be left alone in a guest room or to visit the hotel’s public areas. These rules do not apply to assistance and guide dogs.  

The Shard is a contemporary classic … bringing together the architectural power of glass, steel, and concrete. The Shard is not a soulless, cold structure, instead it brings London a touch of “Blade Runner” to a city that also boasts buildings from the 11th century.

The Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard is unique in London – taking up only a few floors of this skyscraper. With its modern Chinoiserie interior design, it complements the building perfectly. 

On the ground floor, Bar 31 offers local craft beers, wines, and light bites.

On level 34, the Sky Lounge offers small plates and hot beverages … and views of London.

On Level 35, TĪNG – the hotel’s main and only restaurant – offers diners panoramic views of London and beyond. Breakfast (À la carte and buffet), lunch, afternoon tea and dinner are served here. The Vietnamese spring rolls are a culinary delight.

On Level 52, GŎNG offers a bar from where you can enjoy views as far as the eye can see while sipping on a 30-year-old Hibiki or a flute of Cristal Champagne. The cocktail list is inventive and caters for all tastes.  

The Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, London – of course – offers in-room dining.

The Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London supports Guy’s and St Thomas hospital by organising charitable initiatives, raising funds and hosting events for the healthcare staff. The hotel also hosts food drives and supports non-profit organisations in London.

The hotel sources as much of its produce for its restaurants from Borough Market which is located just a few minutes’ walk away. The Shard boasts its own combined heat and power plant. It generates its own electricity & heat – which aids the reduction of transmission losses and achieves efficiency savings.