Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard – My second visit

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It’s an incredibly sunny day in October in London, and the streets are packed with people – locals and tourists alike. Yet, as you gaze into the distance, a slender glass pyramid rises amidst the immaculately preserved brick buildings flogging the city’s cobbled streets. This 72-story marvel is The Shard, and within it is London’s tallest hotel: The Shangri-La Hotel.

Yes, I confess – I am a repeat offender. The Shangri-La is the most famous hotel in London. You can see it from afar, located on the 35th to 52nd floors of the 72-story Shard building. Just in April, I celebrated my birthday there and enjoyed a weekend. And after scrolling through numerous hotel pages, I found myself looking at the Shangri-La hotel page again and again. And so it came as it had to: I became a repeat offender and booked 3 nights and 4 days in this legendary hotel.

You may be in London, but the Shangri-La at The Shard still has its Asian roots, from the decor to the service. After all, the hotel group was founded in Singapore and is now based in Hong Kong.

As the tallest hotel in London, it doesn’t have to try hard to make an impression. You’ll have breathtaking city views inside the glass building at every turn. But, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the sunrises and sunsets you’ll experience during your stay here because they’re simply unforgettable.

Opulence is the name of the game when it comes to interior design, so don’t expect whimsicality or quirkiness here. With views like these, you won’t notice it anyway. Suppose you take your eyes off the windows. In that case, the interiors-from the lobby to the restaurants to the rooms-are bathed in soothing shades of gray, blue, beige, and the occasional hint of purple, creating a luxurious but calming environment.

When I arrived, my luggage was whisked away in no time, and I took the express elevator from the entrance lobby to the hotel’s main lobby on the 35th floor. The lobby is surprisingly small, and the hotel’s main restaurant, Ting, takes up most of the floor. This makes a potentially intimidating space much more personable and friendly.

Of all the memorable moments at the Shangri-La, the most lasting “first” impression was when I checked into the room on the 37th floor of this iconic skyscraper.

I was greeted by darkness, which felt a little strange at first, but the magic happened when I inserted my room key card into the slot on the wall. The blinds slowly opened to reveal a breathtaking panoramic view of London and some of the capital’s most famous landmarks – St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, the Thames River, and Big Ben, to name a few. The view really took my breath away.

I spent three nights in a Premier City View room on the 37th floor and felt so comfortable that I almost didn’t want to leave my room. But I did, of course, yet it was challenging. The room was equipped with all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury five-star room, including a widescreen TV perfect for movie night and a computer tablet where you could order food or learn about the services offered. The room was luxurious in every way, from the bedding to the bathroom amenities to the carpets and general decor. There was also plenty of storage space. There was complimentary water, Nespresso, a variety of teas, and plenty of outlets, including USB ports, for all my electronic devices. As befits modern hybrid living, there was also a desk where you could work for a few hours. The in-room service was excellent, too.

Watching Comedy from the Bathtub

The breathtaking panoramic view can be enjoyed from the living and sleeping areas and the bathroom. The freestanding bathtub offers a view of the city. Another amazing thing in the bathroom was the TV… In the mirror. I’ve seen TVs in bathrooms before but in the mirror? That was a regular first. The bathroom had heated marble floors, a soaking tub, a walk-in rain shower, and a heated toilet seat.

No matter when you check into a hotel, a bath always comes at the right time. So I soaked in the tub, gazed over the Square Mile, and enjoyed Frasier in the background. Honestly, has there ever been a better option?

The food and drink

At Shangri-La The Shard, London, numerous gastronomic offerings are popular not only with hotel guests but with locals as well. The TĪNG restaurant offers classic Asian cuisine with a British twist, while the Sky Lounge is ideal for brunch or a glass of bubbly. On the 52nd floor, you’ll find GŎNG, the tallest hotel bar in Western Europe, serving sunset cocktails and drinks late into the night. Other options in The Shard include Bar 31, Aqua Shard Bar, Hutong, and Oblix.

I’d like to say I enjoyed a multi-course dinner at TĪNG, followed by a few cocktails at GŎNG. But I won’t lie; I ordered dinner in my room.

You can select several room service options on the computer tablet in your room. I ordered the Shanghai noodles (stir-fried beef tenderloin and vegetables) and the classic club sandwich (£20), a standard room service offering. As a side dish, and because I was curious, I also ordered fries with katsu ketchup (£5). The katsu ketchup was so good; it may have been the best fiver I’ve ever spent on food.

I ate breakfast at Ting every day. The buffet is vibrant, with options for every taste and diet. And who can say “no” to homemade Belgian waffles? You can also order eggs in any form, cooked to perfection. A slightly odd detail is that unique egg dishes (such as eggs royale) are not included in the price. Still, ordering poached eggs, toast, and smoked salmon from the buffet is possible. Even stranger, these dishes are included in the room service breakfast, which costs the same! The freshly squeezed juices, tea, and coffee are of excellent quality.

Facilities: the pool

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is headquartered in Hong Kong. However, at its London property, the modern Asian influence is evident in the rooms, restaurants, and design. Another space in the hotel that makes you feel like you’re in Asia rather than the U.K. is on floor 52, where you’ll find London’s highest hotel infinity pool and sauna.

Guests can book a one-hour visit to the pool, so I opted for the sunset. Swimming a few laps and then watching the sunset over London is something you will remember.

Stunning views that hide some problems

With a hotel like this and many visitors, there may be minor blemishes here and there. However, especially at room rates of £973 per night, I expect the hotel room door to be flawless and not have the foiling come off at the bottom and hang down flapping. And several room doors I passed were affected by this. The only thing I found worse was the cracked marble faucet in my bathroom. Again, this should not happen in a 5-star hotel with corresponding room prices.

Attention

Apparently, someone must have been watching me because after I came back to the room from my first London day, a small Lemon Cake surprised me there in the room. And those who know me know I can never say no to cake. It was delicious.

My conclusion

Around the world, there are many modern architectural marvels – and when it comes to rankings, The Shard is right up there, literally. Of course, many visitors to the capital might opt for a historic hotel that offers British traditions and pageantry, but if you want to experience the “new” London, Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard is the place to go. From the rooms to the restaurants, everything about this hotel is sensational. However, the view above the clouds is what really sets it apart. You’ll never want to return to earth again. The staff is fabulous, especially the porters and concierge.

I had a wonderful stay and highly recommend the hotel as an experience. It is a particular “bucket list” hotel to check off your list. If you do, be prepared to open your wallet, relax and enjoy the view. And as they say. All good things come in threes!!!

You can read my first visit and review of Shangri-La here.