Sky Lounge at Shangri-La The Shard

Stayed to celebrate a 10th wedding anniversary. The service at reception was wonderful, friendly and warm, we were able to check in slightly early and a slightly later check out arranged, which meant a great start to our stay. The room was large and the views, well that’s the USP of this property as the are unmatched in London at least. Gym was small, but still really cool to work out on the 52nd floor. The pool area is small and was too busy when we first arrived, however calmed down after 17:00, the staff seemed to police slots fairly effectively. Overall we didn’t find the pool area relaxing, so never went back. Gong bar was exceptionally busy, so didn’t try to go there. Breakfast was tasty, avoid the coffee though, unless you like filter coffee watery, food arrived very slowly but management made up for it. Found the design of the hotel a bit dated despite only being 10+ years old, felt very early 2000s, some features of the room were not well kept, the Japanese toilet malfunctioned and I wasn’t able to switch off the water… our electricity cut off randomly and we had to call someone to restore and our TV kept crashing whilst using Netflix. Overall a pleasant stay due to the service and hospitality, otherwise it’s the view that really stands out here.

The price tag did not match the experience. Our stay at Shangri-La London was memorable for its exceptional service and stunning views, though not without flaws. The team’s responsiveness was faultless, and every issue, from heating to the TV remote, was resolved swiftly and with care. In-room dining was excellent, with a kind waitress and a menu clearly marking halal options. The Gong Bar was a highlight, offering breathtaking views and a lively atmosphere. At the price point, however, the level of luxury needs to match the price tag. We’ve been to other luxury hotels in London and this hotel was underwhelming. We could hear noise from the next room, and the bath layout allowed visibility into a neighbour’s suite, which felt surprising for a a hotel which can charge £1,000 a night. I had requested a personalised note on the window for our anniversary and an individual lettered happy anniversary balloon banner, but received a generic message and a single balloon instead. This was disappointing when I entered our room with my wife. The spa, while pleasant, lacked a steam room and the finish felt less indulgent than anticipated. Overall, it was a stay defined by exceptional service and beautiful views, but it would benefit from greater attention to detail and truly personal touches to meet the standard expected of a very luxury hotel.

The unbeatable views are clear from the start, but the six star service will keep us coming back. Chris the concierge was delightful to chat with and found us last minute tables with gorgeous views for Gong Bar and Ting pan-Asian restaurant. The housekeeping staff are super fast to respond to any request. The remote control blackout curtains really do block out the considerable sunlight. The room was definitely soundproof. My only suggestions would be to add a light switch at the room entrance, install soft close hinges on the closet doors, provide non slip mats in the bathroom (the ones provided were really slippery and a bit dangerous, and would benefit from a rubber backing), and offer liquid hand soap. One tip for those booking with Amex FHR: the property credit is valid only at Ting and Gong, as Oblix and Aqua Shard are apparently run by separate companies, and you get a welcome gimlet (which was spectacular) as well at Gong, so keep that in mind if you have a short stay. Amex wasn't clear about that in the booking confirmation, but the hotel was super helpful in rearranging our reservations for drinks and dinner. The hotel bill service charge was a bit of a surprise. I realize this has become common in London, but I feel that when one is paying as much as this hotel charges, a living wage for staff should be more than covered in the base rate, and a 5% "discretionary" charge on your bill should be unnecessary. This feels like a hidden fee, and London hotels risk alienating travelers with it. Also, it's a bit strange that the front desk didn't carry change for any small bills or pound coins. Also, if you order room service breakfast the night before, make sure to scrutinize your bill, as they mistakenly charged it as a dinner and didn't discount it for the breakfast credit (a 10 pound tray fee is extra).