Despite being one of the most eagerly awaited openings of the year, the unveiling of the Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard has certainly not been an anti-climax. Complete with indisputably spectacular views over the city – as is to be expected from a 1,016ft structure – a chandelier weighing 4250kg, palatial guest rooms, marble-clad bathrooms and multiple wining and dining venues, this new hotel is a veritable tour-de-force of luxury design.
Modern, yet unfailingly elegant, the hotel’s interior draws both upon the rich cultural offering of London and upon Shangri-La’s Asian heritage. Indeed, oriental motifs abound throughout the hotel’s interior, while the colours, textures and materials used correspond with the cityscape view at each turn.
Each of the hotel’s 202 guest rooms and suites has a view and, at more than 452ft², they are amongst the most spacious in London. Chinese art reinterpreted in a modern, abstract fashion adorns the walls, coalescing with the elegant turquoise and warm wood colour scheme and mood lighting.
All guest rooms offer the exclusive ‘Shangri-La Bed’ – featuring patented body-contouring technology, in addition to marble-clad bathrooms with heated floors and Acqua di Parma amenities. Out of the 92 freestanding baths in the hotel, 69 offer views over London.
The hotel’s Asian touches extend to its three wining and dining venues. TÄ«ng – derived from the Chinese word for ‘living room’ – serves locally-sourced cuisine with a hint of Asian flavours in the restaurant and authentic Asian specialities and two unique afternoon teas in the lounge.
Láng – the Chinese word for ‘pathway’ – is a patisserie and afternoon deli on the ground floor, which showcases a selection of Shangri-La signature cakes and savouries to eat in or tala-away.
The final venue, GÅng, is London’s highest champagne and cocktail bar, and takes its name from ‘dugong’ – an ancient Chinese structural element that of interlocking wooden brackets that is a component of the bar’s interior. GÅng is located on level 52, which is also home to the 24-hour gym and London’s highest infinity pool, which will open this summer.
The design scheme for the bar is inspired by the mythical aspect of cinnabar – a mineral that has been used historically to create the ‘dragon red’ most commonly used in the walls of the Chinese Imperial Palace.
For intimate celebrations, private cocktail gatherings and luxury product launches, the hotel’s three river-facing event spaces offer a unique experience. Located on level 34, they are connected to the sky lobby by a grand staircase with a vista of St Paul’s Cathedral and beyond.
The venues accommodate from 10 to 140 people, and the entire 34th floor may be requested for a standing reception of up to 200 guests. Striking views from 125m above the city complement the state-of-the-art conferencing technology and tailor-made catering services.
