Review: Shangri-La Hotel At the Shard, London

Hotel Review: Shangri-La at The Shard, London

 

This Review of the Shangri-La at the Shard, Londonis from our recent stay. For other posts from our London and Paris site inspections and visits, please see:

Review: Pur' Paris Restaurant, Park Hyatt Paris

Hotel Review: Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome

La Cuisine de Philippe Paris Review

Review: Paris Muse Discovery Walking Tour for Families

Hotel Review: The Mandarin Oriental Paris

Review: Mathieu Pacaud Histoires Paris, 2 Michelin Stars

Review: Hidden Paris Gourmet Walking Tour

Review: The Milestone Hotel, London

Review: Cheneston's Restaurant, London

Review: Brown's Hotel London West End

Review: London's Natural History Museum Dinosaur Exhibit

Restaurant Review: Wiltons, London (Since 1742)

 

TravelSort Clients enjoy these Virtuoso Benefits at the Shangri-La at The Shard in London:

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests (served in Ting)
  • 85 GBP Food & Beverage Credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
  • Early check-in, subject to availability
  • 4:00 pm guaranteed late check-out
Review: Shangri-La at The Shard London

Entrance, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review



Shangri-La at The Shard London Location and Check-In
 
Shangri-La at The Shard, London is located in the The Shard skyscraper in Southwark London, the tallest building in the UK, the 87th tallest building in the world, by the London Bridge rail station and the London Bridge Underground Station (Jubilee, Northern lines).
 
After entering the ground floor lobby, our bags were x-rayed by security, and we were then able to take the elevator up to the 35th floor, where the hotel's main lobby is located.
 
Ground Floor Elevator Lobby, Shangri-La at The Shard
 
 
At the reception desk, we were quickly checked in and were soon on our way to the 42nd floor, where our Deluxe City View Room was located.
 
Reception, Shangri-La at The Shard, London Review
 
 
Shangri-La at The Shard London Deluxe City View Room
 
Deluxe City View Rooms range from 344 – 505 square feet in size, and our room, 4217, was especially nice within this category, as a spacious corner room:
 
Deluxe City View Room 4217, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
Deluxe City View Rooms offer views of landmarks such as the City of London, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. While the weather was unfortunately overcast our entire stay, it was still great to enjoy the natural light and view from 42 floors up across London.
 
View from Deluxe City View Room, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
We'd requested two twin beds, although Deluxe City View Rooms also come with King beds.
 
Deluxe City View Room, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
Waiting for us on the marble coffee table were some fresh fruits, as well as some macarons cookies that made a nice little dessert for us that evening.
 
Welcome Amenities, Shangri-La at The Shard, London Review
 
 
I was especially happy to see a hot water kettle as well as tea and tea cups, since I generally drink tea in the evening, rather than coffee. The tea cups even had porcelain covers, to keep the tea hot while the tea steeps.
 
Hot Water Kettle, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
Teapot and Tea Cups with Covers, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
For coffee drinkers, there is a Nespresso machine.
 
Nespresso Machine, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
The bathroom offers two sinks, as well as a Toto washlet, which in my experience few London hotels, even luxury hotels, offer.
 
Deluxe City View Bathroom, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
Toto Washlet, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
There's a walk-in rain shower, as well as a separate soaking tub.
 
Deluxe City View Room Rain Shower, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
Deluxe City View Room Soaking Tub, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
Bath products are Acqua di Parma:
 
Acqua di Parma Bath Products, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
As with many Asia luxury hotel brands, Shangri-La provides more comprehensive toiletries than most Western luxury hotels: comb, toothbrush kits and shaving kit, as well as shower cap, q-tips and emery board.
 
Toiletries, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
 
Shangri-La at The Shard London Fitness Center and Swimming Pool
 
One of the great attractions of the Shangri-La at The Shard, in addition to the magnificent views from the rooms and the lobby on the 35th floor, is the infinity pool on the 52nd floor, the highest swimming pool in Europe.
 
Pool with a View: Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
While my son didn't spend a lot of time ogling the view, he definitely enjoyed the pool.
 
Pool, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
There are day beds with towels ready for lounging:
 
Day Beds by Pool, Shangri-La at The Shard, London Review
 
 
And there's also infused water to sip:
 
Hotel Review: Shangri-La at The Shard, London
 
 
The fitness center is also on the 52nd floor, with Technogym equipment.
 
Fitness Center, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
Breakfast at TING Restaurant, Shangri-La at The Shard, London 
 
TING Restaurant is where the daily breakfast buffet is served (complimentary as a Virtuoso benefit). I recommend requesting a window table, for the views, although during peak times there may only be non-window tables available.
 
TING Restaurant, Shangri-La at The Shard, London Review
 
TING Seating, Shangri-La London at The Shard Review
 
 
There are a la carte breakfast menu items as well, although I didn't try them:
 
TING a la carte Breakfast Menu
 
 
Given Shangri-La's Hong Kong base, there are dumplings such as har gow and shumai:
 
Har Gow, TING Breakfast Buffet, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
Shumai, TING Breakfast Buffet, Shangri-La at The Shard, London Review
 
 
The usual breakfast offerings are also available, such as juices and fresh fruit (including dragonfruit):
 
Juices, Shangri-La at the Shard Breakfast Buffet Review
 
Fresh Fruit, TING Breakfast Buffet at the Shangri-La, London Review
 
 
Bircher Muesli, yogurt and rice pudding:
 
Yogurt, Bircher Muesli, Rice Pudding, Shangri-La London Breakfast Review
 
 
Breads, croissants and pastries:
 
Breads and Croissants, TING Breakfast Buffet, Shangri-La London Review
 
 
I was especially happy that the jam on the table was from Alain Milliat, one of my favorite makers of preserves, prepared with over 60 grams of fruit per 100 grams. I can't even remember the last time I saw Alain Milliat jam at a hotel restaurant, so kudos to Shangri-La at The Shard for this sourcing decision.
 
Alain Milliat Cherry Jam, Shangri-La at The Shard London Review
 
 
There was smoked salmon, Middle Eastern dips, and salad items, as well as quiche.
 
Smoked Salmon, TING Breakfast, Shangri-La London Review
 
Salads, Dips, TING Breakfast Buffet, Shangri-La London Review
 
Quiche, TING Breakfast at Shangri-La London Review
 
 
Hot options included scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages:
 
Scrambled Eggs, Shangri-La London Breakfast Review
 
Sausages and Bacon, Shangri-La London Review
 
 
I was especially happy to see the huge variety of teas offered on the tea menu; you can order any of these, or coffee, as part of the breakfast buffet:
 
TING Tea Menu, Shangri-La London Review
 
 
Note that champagne is at extra cost:
 
Champagne, TING Breakfast Buffet, Shangri-La London Review
 
Champagne at Additional Cost, TING Breakfast Buffet
 
 
The Verdict
 
If you prefer modern hotel rooms with great views, I recommend staying at the Shangri-La at The Shard in London. While I was initially worried that it wouldn't be convenient to get places, the fact that the hotel is right next to the London Bridge Tube Station made it easy to get everywhere. 
 
Do note that because of the nature of the Shard building, rooms even within the same room category can vary considerably in size; in fact, the higher up you go, the more likely that your room will be towards the smaller end of the range for its category. Be sure to mention to TravelSort or your Virtuoso advisor which type of room you prefer, including the landmarks you're hoping to see.
 
The swimming pool on the 52nd floor, with its beautiful views, is a lovely change from the typical basement pool, for those London hotels that even have pools.
 
The breakfast buffet selection at TING was good, and I liked that Alain Milliat jam was provided at each table, as well as the extensive choice of teas to choose from.
 
If you've stayed at the Shangri-La at The Shard, London, what was your experience?

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Disclosure: I received a complimentary stay, including breakfast, for this site inspection visit. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

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