I still have a lot of Singapore posts to publish, but I’m breaking them up with write ups of my various London trips across 2026. My first overnight stay in London this year was back in January at the magnificent Shangri-La, The Shard.
Perched between floors 34 and 52 of The Shard (London’s iconic glass spire), Shangri-La The Shard offers a unique luxury hotel stay experience. I have always wanted to stay at the hotel, as my company’s head office is very close by and I often admire it from my desk. I decided to treat myself as a cure to the January blues, and booked in for a 2-night stay as I had to be in London with work for 3 days straight.
And wow is this hotel beautiful; it’s a breathtaking blend of contemporary luxury and skyline spectacle in the heart of the city. If you want to splash out on a special hotel whilst you’re in London – then look no further. The Shangri-La, The Shard is perfect for a romantic escape, a special occasion, or just to treat yourself whilst you’re in the city.
Location of the Shangri-La, The Shard
The Shard is a destination landmark in and of itself, which can be seen from across London, towering above the skyline as the tallest building in the UK. In fact, when it was built in 2012, it was the tallest building in Western Europe. It now hosts everything from offices, to apartments, to restaurants… and the hotel, of course!
The hotel sits above London Bridge Station, meaning it’s really easy to access from within London and beyond. My train to London from Cambridgeshire goes direct overground to London Bridge, so I don’t even need to get on the underground – perfect!
London Bridge sits right in the heart of Southwark, and borders neighbourhoods like the South Bank and the City of London. This places you in easy walking distance from Borough Market, Tower Bridge and the River Thames. It’s also only a short walk to The Tower of London, HMS Belfast, and The Globe Theatre. In short, it’s a perfect location!
If you’re interested, you can read more of my London posts on nearby attractions and areas here:
- London 2 Day Itinerary
- London 1 Week Itinerary
- Southwark Area Guide
- South Bank Area Guide
- The City of London Area Guide
- Tower of London Visitor Guide
Accommodation at the Shangri-La, The Shard
I was lucky enough to be upgraded on check-in; I had booked a Premier Shard Room, but was upgraded 2 room tiers to an Iconic City View Room. I had to say WOW as I walked in to the room to be greeted by panoramic, floor-to-ceiling windows. Every accommodation in the Shangri-La is outward-facing, providing sweeping views across the city, so I was expecting it to be beautiful but it was still pretty breathtaking.
The view from my corner room was INCREDIBLE, with full views out over Tower Bridge and south down the Thames snaking through the skyline to Canary Wharf. It’s such a shame it was raining during my entire stay, but even in the rain, the views were absolutely stunning.
The bedroom was no less so with a HUGE and super comfortable double bed, nice sofa seating area, full size desk and two large wardrobe areas. The carpet was soft, slippers were laid out at evening turn down service, and the whole thing was just so comfortable. The perfect treat, that’s for sure!
The bathroom was another highlight, in beautiful grey marble. The shower was big and really lovely, and the bath was absolutely heavenly, looking out over the London skyline. I had 2 baths during my stay, and it was just wonderful to sink in to after a long day at work!
Food & Drink at the Shangri-La, The Shard
The hotel’s dining is another highlight, with two wonderful food and drink offerings. You can also choose to dine in the hotel as a non-resident, and during my stay the Ting Lounge was busy even quite late in the evening.
- TĪNG Restaurant & Lounge on level 35 serves modern British cuisine with an Asian twist and is perfect for breakfast, lunch, tea, or dinner; with window seats that are worth booking in advance. I had some drinks here, and my friend can attest that the espresso martini was really good!
- GŌNG on level 52 is Europe’s highest hotel bar, offering masterful cocktails and unbeatable sunset views over the city’s rooftops. I didn’t actually go to this bar during my stay, but had been there before with a friend previously and enjoyed it.
While room rates don’t usually include breakfast, the food experience is worth trying, and is a memorable part of the stay.
Amenities & Experiences at The Shangri-La, The Shard
Unlike many five-star properties, there’s no full spa on-site, which may disappoint spa lovers, though in-room treatments can be arranged for a pretty high price. In my opinion, the price isn’t worth it and I would book a treatment in a local spa, rather than organising via the hotel. I can understand why guests often note in reviews that they are disappointed there is no spa, especially in a Shangri-La brand hotel.
That said, there is an absolutely stunning Sky Pool; an infinity pool on the 52nd floor with city panoramas. It is home to lots of nice comfortable loungers and I enjoyed an hour or so here relaxing and reading my book before work with my breakfast. It’s open from 6am-6pm.
A 24-hour gym is also available; I didn’t go in the gym, but did peak my head around the door and it looked well equipped. The hotel also offers free high speed WIFI, 24-hour concierge, Butler service in the suites, Laundry & Valet, Shoeshine, Courier & Postal Service, and even babysitting/childcare options.
So what did you think of The Shangri-La, The Shard? I had the absolute best stay for lots of reasons, and it made my long work days melt away. I found it to be more than just a place to sleep, but actually part of the treat of a trip itself. It’s perfect for romantic getaways with someone special, or simply to treat yourself. The views alone make it unforgettable, and while some typical hotel luxuries (like a larger spa) are missing, the overall experience is uniquely elevated; quite literally.
Stay safe and happy travelling!
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