Shangri-La The Shard — the story behind the hotel

London’s hotel in the sky

Most London hotels show you a street. Shangri-La The Shard shows you the whole city — from the 34th floor upwards of Western Europe’s tallest building when it opened.

A hotel above the city

Shangri-La The Shard opened on 6 May 2014 on floors 34 to 52 of The Shard, the 309.6-metre tower at London Bridge designed by Renzo Piano. It was London’s first high-rise hotel and the first Shangri-La in the United Kingdom — the Hong Kong group’s 83rd hotel and its third in Europe, after Paris and Istanbul.

Its opening came more than a year later than planned, after a change of contractors. When it finally opened, it did so in style: a traditional Chinese “awakening of the lion” ceremony and a colourful dance procession, followed by a ribbon cutting led by the Mayor of London. Opening rates started at £450 a night and reached £3,250.

Asian heritage, London views

Its 202 rooms and suites look out over St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Thames. A grand staircase links the sky lobby on levels 34 and 35, where the restaurant TĪNG serves all day. The Shangri-La Suite, on level 39, has 180-degree views of London.

On level 52, the very top of the hotel, sit London’s highest infinity pool and GŎNG, the city’s highest champagne and cocktail bar. Its name comes from the dougong — an ancient Chinese structural element of interlocking wooden brackets, which became part of the bar’s interior.

Little-known facts about Shangri-La The Shard

• Opened: 6 May 2014 — after more than a year of delays
• Floors: 34 to 52 of The Shard, 309.6 metres tall
• A first: London’s first high-rise hotel and the first Shangri-La in the UK
• Rooms: 202 rooms and suites
• Highest pool: London’s highest infinity pool, on level 52
• Highest bar: GŎNG on level 52, named after the Chinese “dougong” bracket
• Sky lobby: A grand staircase links the lobby on levels 34 and 35
• Opening day: A traditional Chinese “awakening of the lion” ceremony

Shangri-La The Shard today

At the foot of the tower are London Bridge Station, Borough Market and the South Bank, with the Tower of London and the City of London a short walk across the river.

Getting to Shangri-La The Shard from the airport

Heathrow is about 60–80 minutes by car, Gatwick about 60–75 minutes, London City only about 25 minutes. The train is fine if you travel light — but with luggage, children, a late flight or an arrival at Gatwick or London City, most guests prefer a private transfer straight to the door.

• Heathrow to Shangri-La The Shard and Gatwick to Shangri-La The Shard — one fixed price per car, agreed before you fly, airport parking and waiting included.
• Meet and greet — your driver tracks your flight and waits inside arrivals with your name, with no extra charge if you are late.
• Executive cars for business travel, people carriers for families and groups, free child seats.
• Transfers from the hotel to every London airport and the cruise ports, 24/7. TfL-licensed private hire operator since 2013.

See your fixed price at the top of this page, or open the Heathrow to Shangri-La The Shard and Gatwick to Shangri-La The Shard pages.

A new way to see London

Few hotels change how you see a city. From 52 floors up, Shangri-La The Shard does exactly that.

Sources: Hotel Executive — opening · The Caterer · Hospitality Design

Key facts

Facts checked against the sources listed above, November 2026.

Related pages

Heathrow to Shangri-La The Shard · Gatwick to Shangri-La The Shard · All London hotel transfers