Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced that Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, London, will open on 6th May 2014. Located on the historic South Bank of the River Thames in Renzo Piano’s 306m-high, glass-clad building, the hotel will be the Hong Kong-based luxury hotel group’s third in Europe – following debuts in Paris in 2010 and Istanbul last year.
The Shangri-La Hotel occupies levels 34 to 52 of the 72-storey Shard – making it the tallest hotel in Western Europe and the first high-rise hotel in London. Its contemporary interior design complements Renzo’s masterful architecture and its awe-inspiring views.
“Our continued expansion in Europe reflects the growth opportunities for the brand and portfolio,” says Shangri-La president and CEO, 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.”
The hotel’s 202 guestrooms and suites will open from levels 36 to 50, and are amongst the largest in London. As a result of The Shard’s spiral shape, each of the spacious guestrooms and suites – which range from 30 to 188m² – is individual in layout and design. All feature floor to ceiling windows and unrivalled 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 the guest bathrooms have city views.
Deluxe, Premier and Grand Premier guest rooms and suites offer northerly views towards the city and London’s most famous landmarks. Superior guest rooms and suites feature far-reaching vistas over the vibrant areas of the south and towards the historic counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Some of the most striking views are from the hotel’s three signature suites, which will be unveiled in September. All signature suites overlook St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and down river towards the O2 Arena. The jewel in the crown is the Shangri-La Suite, situated on level 39, which will provide 180º views of London.
The hotel will feature three dining venues. G?NG, London’s highest bar on level 52, takes its name from ‘dougong’, an ancient Chinese structural element of interlocking wooden brackets, which will be a component of the bar’s interior. T?NG, derived from the Chinese word for a living room, is the signature restaurant and lounge on level 35. Finally, LÁNG, the Chinese word for ‘pathway’, is 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 is set to open from 1st July.
Three river-facing event spaces on level 34 offer stunning views and 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. The grand staircase connecting levels 34 and 35, with its vista of St. Paul’s Cathedral and beyond, will be a picture-perfect location for wedding photography.
“We are thrilled to be opening our doors in May after a number of years of planning and preparation,” says Darren Gearing, executive vice president and hotel general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard. “The hotel’s inspiring views will connect emotionally with guests, while our service hallmarks will position the hotel at the forefront of the world’s finest hotels.”
The hotel will be open for advance rooms, events, restaurant and lounge bookings from 17th March.
UPDATE – 11th March 2014
Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard will open its reservation lines for rooms, events and T?NG on Monday 17th March.
Darren Gearing, executive vice president and general manager at the hotel, comments: “We are delighted to open our reservation lines on 17th March, and are looking forward to welcoming guests to experience Shangri-La’s renowned hospitality for the first time in the heart of London from 6th May onwards.”
