Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard

Hotel Accommodation in the United Kingdom: Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard

High Life: The new Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard offers unrivalled London panoramas

From mundane to marvellous in less than thirty seconds. The express elevator at the newly opened Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard whisks guests from the understated ground floor reception area to the main, marble-clad lobby in double quick time, opening to reveal stunning views of central London and beyond that literally take the breath away.

Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard, UK — Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard, London

Western Europe's tallest building, The Shard is a sky-piercing splinter of steel, concrete and glass, soaring over the River Thames near London Bridge to a height of nearly 310 meters (1,016 feet).

Occupying floors 34 to 52 of the Renzo Piano-designed tower, the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard is the luxury hotel chain's first foray into the United Kingdom market, although their expanding portfolio does include other European properties.

Pretty much everything at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard screams superlatives. "Our infinity pool on level 52 is the highest pool in London, while our restaurant and bar offers the highest afternoon tea and champagne experience in the city," explains general manager Darren Gearing. "We are also London's first luxury hotel south of the Thames."

While it's possible to enjoy fantastic London views from the Shard's public viewing galleries, an actual stay at the Shangri-La provides an incomparably more enjoyable experience. The views are far less distant and more comprehensible from the hotel, while self-indulgent guests have the time and solitude - all day and night if they want - to take them in.

Indeed, there can be no greater spectacle in London than to watch - wine glass or coffee mug in hand - the weather cast its constantly changing spell on the mottled cityscape. After the rain, the faraway towers of Canary Wharf glitter in warming sunshine, while waking up to the sun rising over the Square Mile - the Gherkin and the Cheese Grater rising out of the morning mist - has never made lying in bed such a visually rewarding experience. Hundreds of metres below the capital's commuters resemble an army of ants as they scurry to and from work, while trains and boats traverse the capital's transport arteries like diminutive toys.

Each of the Shangri-La's 202 rooms and suites, which range in size from 30 to 188 square metres, are 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 toiletries and mirrors with in-built television screens. Over a third of these bathrooms have city views.

All rooms have a capsule-like quality, as if guests are floating in an airborne pod, sheltered from the noise and sharp edges of the outside world. The views are so striking it is almost as if the floor-to-ceiling windows are projections of computer-generated images. The hotel has even provided binoculars so that guests can make the most of these cinematic vistas, which stretch from Big Ben and the London Eye through a dozen bridges all the way down to Greenwich and Canary Wharf.

"This is my first visit to London," explains Russian guest Anna Kharkova with a smile. "It almost feels as if I don't need to leave my hotel room to experience the city."

Some of the hotel's best panoramas will be offered by the hotel's three signature suites, set to be unveiled in September. The jewel in the crown - the Shangri-La suite - will be situated on floor 39 and boast 180 degree views.

Wining dining at the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard is an experience almost as rewarding as the views. Ting, the main destination restaurant, opens for all day-dining and serves up a modern European menu. Slightly more informal, Ting's adjoining lounge serves dishes including curry laksa and "Hainan" chicken rice, as well as offering two afternoon teas - a traditional British one, and an Asian-inspired Shangri-La tea featuring one of the largest selections of Chinese teas in London.

With a dramatic backdrop, Gong is the destination bar at the Shangri-La. The highest hotel bar in London is perfect for sunset cocktails and late night drinks, offering three lofted areas for guests to relax and soak in the cityscape. It even offers poolside seating at the highest pool in London.

Uncomplicated and seamless, although undeniably expensive, the bar's first-class service ensures the ultimate escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Sample one of the delicate, signature cocktails or indulge in a rare, vintage champagne with light dishes, such as locally sourced British charcuterie and caviar as a savoury accompaniment.

Every major city from Shanghai to Chicago has its share of castles in the sky, but Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard's views must be up there with some of the world's finest. It may be on the pricey side, but this is one high living experience that's worth lightening the wallet for.

Room rates at the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard start at £450.

See shangrila.com/london/shangrila for more details.