Shangri-La The Shard, London

Shangri-La The Shard occupies upper floors of London's tallest building at 31 St Thomas Street, directly above London Bridge station. The hotel lists 202 rooms and a 9.4 guest rating from more than a thousand reviews, with strong scores for cleanliness, amenities and service. Its position is its signature: the Shard is a minute's walk, Borough Market two, the Thames four and the Tower of London about fifteen, so a day of sightseeing can start and end close to your room. London Bridge Underground and rail station is two minutes away, which links you quickly to the Jubilee and Northern lines and to routes toward Kent and Sussex. The hotel lists an indoor pool open during the day, a 24-hour gym, an ELEMIS spa with in-room massages by reservation, and a sauna on the 52nd floor with Thames views. The Infinity Sky Pool is also featured on the page. Dining and drinking are part of the draw, with TĪNG, a British-Asian restaurant, Bar 31, GONG and the Sky Lounge.

What makes the stay distinctive is the height. Rooms and public spaces look out across the river toward St Paul's, the Tower and the City, and the view changes with the light, so ask for a high floor and a river-facing aspect when you book. The hotel is a luxury property with the service levels that implies, and the feel is polished and contemporary rather than historic. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is before 11:00 AM. Free Wi-Fi is provided in rooms and some public areas, and a smoke-free policy applies.

Practicalities include fees that are worth checking. Buffet breakfast, parking, airport shuttle, rollaway beds and cribs, and pets carry charges, and the hotel accepts dogs only, one per room, up to a stated weight limit. A card or cash deposit and government-issued photo ID may be required at check-in. Free cancellation is offered on select rates only, so compare cancellable and non-cancellable prices. Heathrow is roughly a 55-minute drive, so allow time for transfers.

This hotel suits visitors who want a dramatic London setting, a first-time stay with views, or a base for Borough Market, the Tower of London and the South Bank. It is less ideal for those who prefer the theatre district or the West End shopping streets, which need a Tube ride or a longer walk, and the pricing reflects the position and height. The honest advice is to decide whether the view matters enough to pay for it: if it does, this is one of the most memorable places to stay in the city, and combining it with a visit to the viewing platform below, a riverside walk and a market lunch gives an easy, rewarding itinerary.