After a year-long delay caused by construction problems, the five-star Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard will open on 6 May, occupying levels 34 to 52 of the iconic glass skyscraper which also houses Oblix and two venues from Aqua Restaurant Group.
Guests will be escorted in a high-speed elevator from the hotel’s dedicated entrance on St. Thomas Street to the sky lobby on level 35. Subtle Asian touches in the lobby and lobby lounge will reflect Shangri-La’s heritage, while modern and classic art with pieces from a mix of acclaimed Asian and British artists are showcased throughout public areas.
The hotel’s 202 guestrooms and suites will open from levels 36 to 50 and are amongst the largest in London. Each of the guestrooms and suites, which range from 30 to 188 square metres, is individual in layout and design.
All rooms feature floor‑to‑ceiling windows and views across the city, marble-clad bathrooms with heated floors, separate bathtubs, Acqua di Parma amenities and mirrors with integrated television screens. Over a third of these bathrooms have city views.
Some of the best views will be from the hotel’s three signature suites that will be unveiled in September. The ‘jewel in the crown’ is the Shangri-La Suite, situated on level 39, providing 180-degree views of London.
Restaurants and bars
The hotel will feature three wining and dining venues: -
- GŎNG – ‘London’s highest bar’ on level 52, taking its name from 'dougong' – an ancient Chinese structural element of interlocking wooden brackets that will be a component of the bar’s interior.
- TĪNG - derived from the Chinese word for a living room, the signature restaurant and lounge on level 35
- LÁNG - the Chinese word for 'pathway', an artisan deli on the ground floor.
Level 52 will also be home to a 24-hour gym and London’s highest infinity pool, and along with GŎNG, level 52 will open from 1 July.
Three river-facing event spaces on level 34 offer state-of-the-art conferencing technology along with catering services. The largest of the venues, Ren, accommodates up to 140 guests; the other two, Yi and Li, can hold up to 10 and 35 guests respectively.
Shangri-La growth
Opening room rates at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard will start at £450 per room per night, including VAT.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages more than 80 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 34,000.
“Our continued expansion in Europe reflects the growth opportunities for the brand and portfolio,” said Shangri-La’s president and chief executive Greg Dogan. “The Shard is a landmark synonymous with London and we hope to encourage visitors to our hotel, and the surrounding area.
“We are truly excited to be an integral part of the ongoing development of the South Bank community and the borough of Southwark.”
Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard will open on 6 May.