London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-location">LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="661" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-09.52.58-1024x661.png" alt="View of The Shard " class="wp-image-4956" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-09.52.58-1024x661.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-09.52.58-300x194.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-09.52.58-768x496.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-09.52.58.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Next to buzzy Borough Market and a stroll from London Bridge, though you&#8217;ll be up in the clouds gazing at, well, EVERYTHING. Taking up 18 floors of The Shard, Western Europe&#8217;s highest building, as you&#8217;d expect there&#8217;s a stellar city view from the bedrooms, bathrooms, restaurants, lounges and pool, so it feels like you&#8217;re in the best location in London at all times. A pair of binoculars provided in-room makes it&#8217;s hard to pull yourself away from spying on the offices, houses, bridges and parks far, far below. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s sleek and modern, which fits the skyscraper setting. After entering a lift on the ground floor of The Shard, you&#8217;re whisked up to reception on floor 32 and the first thing you notice isn&#8217;t the decor (which is actually quite demure and less glitzy than expected), but <em>those</em> views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. When I visited there was a mixed crowd in the bar and restaurant, from couples to groups of friends and families, but everyone had noticeably made an effort &#8211; this is the kind of hotel you dress up for. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-1-3-1024x576.jpeg" alt="Iconic City View Room at Shangri-la the Shard " class="wp-image-4948" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-1-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-1-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-1-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-1-3.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy sightseeing from your bed? My Iconic City View Room was situated on a corner meaning it had enormous windows on two sides, all the better for gazing at a skyline featuring Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. We woke early to raise the electric blackout blinds and catch sunrise over London from our Frette linen-swathed bed &#8211; an unforgettable experience. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="705" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.42.59-1024x705.png" alt="Bathroom at Shangri-La The Shard " class="wp-image-4950" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.42.59-1024x705.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.42.59-300x206.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.42.59-768x528.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.42.59.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Perhaps even more exciting though was the marble bathroom, with a standalone tub from which, you&#8217;ve guessed it, I could take in yet more incredible views. There&#8217;s something sexy about cities at night, particularly when you&#8217;re lying in a bubble bath sipping a glass of bubbly looking at the twinkling lights below. It all felt surreal and incredibly indulgent &#8211; oh and don&#8217;t bother to shut the blinds when you step out of the bath, nobody else is high up enough to see you starkers other than a low-flying helicopter. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="771" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_175018720.MP_-1024x771.jpg" alt="View from a bedroom at Shangri-La The Shard" class="wp-image-4954" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_175018720.MP_-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_175018720.MP_-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_175018720.MP_-768x578.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_175018720.MP_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The view from my corner room </figcaption></figure>



<p>As you&#8217;d expect from a luxe five-star the amenities are top notch, including Jo Malone toiletries, iPad, underfloor heating and a beautiful desk with binoculars, stationary and posh pen. If I had the money, I&#8217;d move in. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="669" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.51.01-1024x669.png" alt="Gong at Shangri-La the shard" class="wp-image-4952" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.51.01-1024x669.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.51.01-300x196.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.51.01-768x502.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-24-at-06.51.01.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cocktails at GŎNG</figcaption></figure>



<p>Kick things off with a Skyrise cocktail at GŎNG, London&#8217;s highest cocktail bar, then head to Ting, where executive chef Paolo Belloni is producing some of the finest Asian-fusion food in the city, think beef, szechuan pepper, pak choi and peanut butter or seabass Vietnamese-style with pineapple, lemongrass and kumquat sauce. I tried soft as butter wagu steak, but noted there were an impressive array of plant-based dishes to try if you&#8217;re vegetarian. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="771" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_205103234.PORTRAIT-771x1024.jpg" alt="Wagyu beef at Shangri-La the shard" class="wp-image-4955" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_205103234.PORTRAIT-771x1024.jpg 771w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_205103234.PORTRAIT-226x300.jpg 226w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_205103234.PORTRAIT-768x1020.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/thumbnail_PXL_20240220_205103234.PORTRAIT.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">My perfectly cooked wagyu steak </figcaption></figure>



<p>On a previous visit I&#8217;ve enjoyed afternoon tea, which includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and miniature chocolate Shard &#8211; they&#8217;re launching a new pink tea in October to raise money for Cancer Research, which you&#8217;ll no doubt see all over Instagram. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-17-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Pink afternoon tea at The Shard " class="wp-image-4947" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-17-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-17-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-17-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-17.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Breakfast, served in Ting, is worth dragging yourself out of your enormous bed for. Tables groan with pastries and exotic Asian dishes, chef&#8217;s whip up every conceivable omelette choice, there&#8217;s a rainbow of fresh juices to sip and a piping hot Full English &#8211; basically whatever you want to refuel with, it&#8217;s here, and if it&#8217;s not, they&#8217;ll make it. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wellbeing">WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-3-2-1024x683.jpeg" alt="Wsiming pool at Shangril-la the shard " class="wp-image-4949" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-3-2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-3-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-3-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/09/Unknown-3-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Starting my day with a swim in one of Europe&#8217;s highest swimming pools was yet another pinch myself moment. Situated on Floor 52, the Infinity Sky Pool is a guest-only experience and, because you book a time slot at check in, it&#8217;s never crowded. The water temperature was perfect, and I kept breaking off from swimming laps to lean on the side and gawp at the ever-changing sky. There&#8217;s also a sauna and gym, but surprisingly no spa. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT </h2>



<p>I love that this hotel provides way more than a place to eat, drink and stay by offering experiences that take you out into the city. If you&#8217;re a foodie book the Chef&#8217;s Market Tour, which includes a stroll around nearby Borough Market with one of Shangri-La’s own chefs, discovering their favourite eateries and artisanal suppliers. Another fun one is jewellery making experience with designer Alex Monroe, which takes you on a tour of her design workshop where you get to make a silver pendant. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict">MUDDY VERDICT </h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Any kind of celebration: big birthday, anniversary, proposal, honeymoon or simply to impress the pants off someone you&#8217;re really, really into. Yes, Shangri-La The Shard is totally decadent and eye-wateringly expensive, but it&#8217;s a unique experience with the best views in the whole of the city so premium prices are to be expected. Would we stay again? In a heartbeat.  </p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>If you&#8217;re into discreet boutique hotels, this in-your-face icon isn&#8217;t for you. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-there">Go there! </h2>



<p><em>Rooms at <a href="https://www.shangri-la.com/london/shangrila/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shangri-La The Shard</a> from £583pn in October. </em></p>


High society: Shangri-La The Shard review

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