We stayed at ... Shangri-La The Shard, London

We get the lowdown on a sky-high hotel that comes with a 55km view over London. 

In a building where the hotel reception is on level 35 and rooms span the floors up to level 52 Shangri-La The Shard, London aren’t joking when they welcome you to your temporary home “in the clouds”.

Our room on level 41 meant we could sleep with the blinds on the floor-to-ceiling windows open – who was going to see into our room in Western Europe’s tallest building? There was just one little thing to keep in mind; a note left in-room during turndown reminded us window cleaners would be working the following morning. Noted. I still choose to fall asleep with London Bridge twinkling below me – literally.

Walking into your room at The Shard is a literal gasp moment. Due to the unique mastlike shape of the building, no two rooms are the same, either in size or shape. But one thing they all offer is breathtaking views of London. When the Shard opened in May 2014, architect Renzo Piano intended the structure to “disappear in the air like a 16th-century pinnacle or the mast top of a very tall ship”. Indeed, if you venture to the viewing platform on level 72, you better hope for a clear day or you will very likely see nothing but clouds. Without them you can see as far as 55km in each direction. On the day I visited I was pretty sure I spied Heathrow Airport 30km to the west.

The Westminster Suite Shangri-La The Shard, London.

This is one of those hotels where you want to make sure you leave plenty of time to simply enjoy your room. If you’re lucky enough to have a bathtub with a view, it would surely be rude not to enjoy it. I took my book into my bubble bath in the sky, but I didn’t read a single word, so entranced was I by the view through the full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Despite opposition to a high-rise of such scale being built in the edgy Bermondsey neighbourhood when it opened, The Shard is a landmark seen from just about any point in central London.

Deluxe City View bathroom with a view at Shangri-La The Shard, London.

It spans 95 storeys but the public can only access up to level 75, from which point the spire tapers up. Outside of your room, the best place to enjoy the view is from Gong, the highest hotel bar in London, on level 52. The L-shaped space features a Champagne bar at one end and a cocktail bar at the other with views to the west, north and east. Nabbing a window seat for pre-dinner sundowners is the only way to experience it. The GONGstar Martini featuring Elit vodka, passionfruit, yuzu and Veuve Clicquot tastes as good as it sounds.

Cocktails at GONG bar on level 52 of Shangri-La The Shard, London.

Shangri-La’s modern Asian fusion feel comes to life at Ting restaurant. Meaning “living room” in Chinese, Ting has a smart-casual vibe with cute little padded stools provided for your handbag.

The menu is a celebration of Asian flavours created with proudly locally-sourced produce. Our table heaved under the weight of classic dishes, such as Malaysian fried rice, a soy-braised short rib so tender you could cut it with a spoon and Shangri-La’s signature delicate hai san xao egg noodles.

Before falling asleep that night, I remember to set the alarm to allow time for a sunrise bath... before the window cleaners show up.

Shangri-La Suite by night at Shangri-La The Shard, London.

ROOMS 10/10

The views from the rooms are the ultimate show stopper. Spend some time hunting for famous London landmarks with the in-room binoculars or enjoy the city from a different perspective – your freestanding bath.

FOOD 9/10

Dinner at Ting restaurant should always be teamed with pre- or post-meal drinks at Gong bar. Leave space for an exceptional buffet breakfast at Ting where you can also order à la carte. 

Dining at Shangri-La The Shard, London.

LOCATION 10/10

With London Bridge Station under the hotel, you couldn’t be better connected. But you can walk to Borough Market and London Bridge in five minutes, or Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in 10.

VERDICT 9.5/10

Any stay in a hotel this special will feel like a celebration, and staff specialise in making proposals, birthdays and anniversaries memorable.

A city landmark, it combines the very best food, drinks, comfort and hospitality.

The writer was a guest of Shangri-La The Shard, London. Rooms start at £602 a room, per night (about $1164). 

Originally published as We stayed at ... Shangri-La The Shard, London