insideKENT Magazine Issue 40 - July 2015 | Page 108

GETAWAYS

Shangri-La Hotel AT THE SHARD
WHERE ICONIC CITY VIEWS MEET UNRIVALLED FAR EASTERN HOSPITALITY…
B Y

S A M A N T H A

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I always think that there's something quite awe
inspiring about our great capital city, where
historic charm, architecture and echoes from the
past rub shoulders with a busy, heaving, shiny
metropolis including one of the newest and most
impressive additions to our iconic London skyline:
Renzo Piano’s The Shard.
And of course the newest iconic building would
not be complete without a stand-out-from-thecrowd hotel experience – enter stage left ShangriLa Hotels and Resorts with its first ever UK
offering: the 5* Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard,
which opened in May 2014.
The traditional Chinese influence is as tranquil as
it is grand in the hotel entrance; the artworks and
lighting provide an oasis of calm that swiftly
transports you away from the hustle and bustle
of the capital, almost as quick as the super
speedy elevators that whisk you to the reception
lobby on level 35.
Exiting here is where the true marriage of our
great capital and this oriental brand comes alive;
floor-to-ceiling windows on every axis,

breathtaking views and Chinese poise and
decadence awaken every sense. A smooth check
in and another super fast elevator later and my
guest and I had arrived at our abode for the
evening.
Occupying levels 34-52 of The Shard, Western
Europe’s highest hotel is able to offer 202 guest
rooms and suites, private event spaces and three
distinct dining and drinking havens – oh and not
forgetting the 52nd floor infinity Skypool!
As you may know, the points of The Shard align
with the compass points and our level 44 cityfacing room (all cleverly designed to make the
most of every viewpoint) was more than we could
have ever imagined. The views of Tower Bridge
to the right moving through to St Paul's Cathedral
and onwards to the London Eye were
breathtaking and as accessible as you desire
with the in-room binoculars and self-controlled
inner and outer blinds for the floor-to-ceiling
windows.
Once we were able to step back from the view,
we were able to appreciate the opulence inside

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too. From the patented bed, Frette linen,
Nespresso coffee machine, iPod dock and 40”
TV, to the marble bathroom, walk-in shower,
Acqua di Palma toiletries, and not forgetting its
famous Washlet toilets (never before has one
toilet had so many buttons, gizmos and
gimmicks!), everything is complete luxury without
screaming ‘look at me’ and that just adds to the
unique ambience.
Suitably refreshed, my guest and I ascended for
our evening drinks at the amazing Gong bar. A
jewel in the hotel’s crown, this 52nd-floor cocktail
and Champagne bar is a destination in its own
right. As if its bespoke fixtures and fittings set off
against rich red lacquer panels and antique bronze
cabinets combined with sensational London
vistas weren’t enough, along came Gong’s
signature seasonal cocktail list proffering
everything from Shangri-La nectars and
Mediterranean mixes to good ol’ Laandan Towninspired tipples. With a Turkish Chinata and a
Romeo and Juliet in hand, we sat back to watch
the sunset and in turn, the city come alive.