Shangri-La opens first London property

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts expands its international portfolio with the opening of its latest five-star property in London, the company’s first in the United Kingdom and 83rd overall worldwide.

Held last 6 May 2014, the opening of Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard was attended by the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event also featured a traditional ‘awakening of the lion’ and a dance procession.

The 202-room hotel—which occupies the 34th to 52nd storeys of the 306-metre high tower—is the Chinese group’s third property in Europe, after Shangri-La Hotel Paris and Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul. The new property boasts of London’s highest infinity pool on Level 52, as well as the city’s highest champagne and cocktail bar, which begins operations on 19 May.

“The sweeping views from Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard provide an entirely new perspective on London. It is a spectacular setting in which to introduce our signature Asian-inspired hospitality to the UK,” said Shangri-La president and CEO Greg Dogan in a press statement.

“Master architect Renzo Piano had amazing vision with his design of The Shard. We’ve created a unique hotel that complements the iconic building and makes the most of the 360-degree view of London,” he added.

The luxury hotel’s location at the south bank of River Thames—a 15-minute drive from Canary Wharf CBD—provides panoramic views of several landmarks, including the Parliament building, Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Other features of the new hotel include Shangri-La’s signature restaurants, a 24-hour gym, in-suite butler and in-room spa services, and child-care and baby-sitting facilities.

Image credit: Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard

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Shangri-La opens first London property