Review: Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London

Quentin Long discovers that it’s all about the view in London’s tallest building, which houses one of the city’s most talked about – hotels.

The Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard has been in the pipeline for a very long time.

Details

Level 34–52, 31 St Thomas Street, London

The construction

That’s what happens when you house a five-star hotel in a mixed residential, office and hotel structure designed by one of the world’s most renowned architects, Renzo Piano; things never go according to plan.

The view from London's Shangri La Hotel at the Shard — The iconic London cityscape like you have never seen before from the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard

Nine months delayed, the hotel opened three weeks before I check in. It’s still not finished (several floors are not accessible and neither is the spa or pool) but it’s largely operational.

Arriving

Arriving by cab I’m whisked up a very fast elevator (35 floors in 28 seconds; it takes a while for your stomach to catch up) to a vista of London that I’ve never seen before.

Most Londoners haven’t seen it before. In fact, anybody who’s been to London probably hasn’t seen it before. It’s jaw dropping. Situated on the Thames, it takes in the Gherkin, St Paul’s and Tower Bridge.

The interior

As the lift doors close behind me, I find myself in a quiet and demure lobby, which allows the magnificent view to do all the wonderwork.

The hotel, which occupies floors 34 to 52 of this magnificent building, was scathingly reviewed by London’s Telegraph for its ‘vile carpets’ and interiors where the no-name designers were ‘not trying very hard’.

A bathroom with a view at this London-based Shangri-La Hotel — Have a tub with a view, the bathrooms at the Shangri-La Hotel London are unbeatable

But I must declare au contraire to my posh friends at the Telegraph. It is a highly functional, plush environment where the views are allowed their natural status as the showstopper. Too much design here would have provided distracting competition. Perhaps the Telegraph is averse to “no-name designers".

When you think about Shangri-La hotels, there’s some inconsistency across the portfolio but there are two things that are consistent: you’ll get gold shimmery textiles and a Chinese essence, often through the ubiquitous brown marble seen in every one of the Hong Kong-based chain’s properties. And so it is in my room.

The room

Located on the 49th floor, my room is huge by London standards. I’m blown away again by that view. I’m facing west and spy the London Eye, Big Ben, the river.

It really is London in a whole new light. And then my welcome tea arrives in its own cute tea-cosy reminiscent of a ladies’ hat bag.

The bedroom at the Shangri La Hotel at the Shard — All the signature design elements of the Hong Kong based Shangri La Hotel Group are present – gold and silver fabrics with brown marble – with the added dose of a room with a view.

Hotel restaurants and bars

The service touches add the X-factor that shards of glass, marble and furnishings can’t. After some negotiation with the concierge I manage to make a reservation for dinner at Ting on the lobby level.

Frustratingly, I couldn’t get into Gong, the bar at the top of the building on Level 52, until well after sunset at 10:30pm. In fact, the whole time I’m in residence almost everything is booked out. Lesson learnt: book well ahead.

But dinner is a highlight; again it is due to the magical combination of view and milieu. As the sun sets and bathes the train lines and south-east London in golden light, I feast on seared tuna with radishes and ouzo followed by John Dory with sweet potato and wild mushrooms.

Executive chef and Shangri-La veteran Emil Minev is a relative no-name too, although his El Bulli and Alain Ducasse-pedigree show on the plate, with the food worthy of celebration.

Some shortfalls

There are some weaknesses, and the carpet is not really one of them. (The hibiscus-and-frangipani-flower design may not be everyone’s taste but it is by no means offensive or vile.) Piano’s Shard is meant to reflect the sun, to gleam like a shard of glass rising to the sky.

But the glass is unfortunately not reflective enough. Not exactly ideal for building observers as London and sunlight are not the best of friends anyway, and a slight problem for hotel guests.

The lack of reflection allows views into adjacent rooms. From my bathroom (bath tub to be exact) I spy the bed, TV, fruit platter and lounge of the room next door.

This necessitates drawing the curtains to enjoy the bath. And the electronically controlled blinds are not separated, so the curtain comes down on all the windows, and all the view. No biggie but at this prestigious hotel standard (and rate) it should be faultless.

The service at a new hotel can be hit and miss and while the Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard hits a lot more than it misses, there are small hiccups.

When I appear for my late lunch, there is confusion as to which menu is available and where to seat me as the high tea crowd is about to descend en masse.

I am eventually seated but the wait staff are preoccupied with the high tea customers rather than the strange jetlagged man with a big camera sitting on his own.

This hesitancy and confusion follows me as I am often referred to as Mr Myers when giving my room number. Apparently the computer system has crashed giving staff the wrong name.

The choice of tables in the restaurants and bars is also problematic. They mark very easily with any moisture and are impossible to clean. At lunch I request the table be wiped down twice and then use my napkin as a tablecloth to feel comfortable on what would otherwise be categorised as a ‘dirty’ table.

I am not OCD about these things, but this should not be a problem at this level of hospitality.

The lobby area, lounge and restaurant all flow into one space so really there is no one glorious area in which to enjoy the vista, while the best views are usurped by the reception desk.

Even more baffling, the toilets on this lobby level take out one of the most sought after perspectives, the London Eye and the parliament buildings, while the restaurant and lounge face Tower Bridge and the railways lines.

But that’s why you book a room. Waking up in the morning, hitting the button and raising the blinds, I am bathed in sunlight… and it feels like a view from heaven.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

The IT Verdict

“Magnificent views and sumptuous luxury, the Shangri-La At The Shard is a serene oasis in the sky looking down on the hurly burly of London."

Location: 8/10

Near London Bridge Tube Station and the revitalised Southbank.

Style/character: 8/10

It’s probably lacking a little bit of smarts.

Service: 7.5/10

A bit tentative at the moment as it’s still bedding in.

Rooms: 8.5/10

Fantastic and true to its heritage by being obviously Eastern.

Food and drink: 9/10

Remember to make a booking so you don’t miss out.

Value for money: 9.5/10

It is worth seeing once in your life.

Cost: Quentin paid $AU672 for a Superior Room.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius

A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.