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.

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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.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.