Shangri-La at The Shard, London opens
Celebrating Shangri-La’s Asian heritage, the hotel’s opening ceremony began with the traditional “awakening of the lion” and a colourful dance procession, which was followed by the official ribbon-cutting by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, joined by Lord and Lady Coe and international dignitaries.
Shagri-La Hotel at The Shard is the Hong Kong-based hotel group’s 83rd hotel and third in Europe, following the opening of hotels in Paris and Istanbul in 2010 and 2013 respectively.
Located in the tallest building in Western Europe on floors 34 to 52, this will be the city’s first high-rise hotel. It offers unrivalled views of London in every direction, overlooking such landmarks as the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral. The hotel is also the first luxury property to open south of the River Thames and is conveniently positioned minutes from The City of London.
“The sweeping views provide an entirely new perspective on London. It is a spectacular setting in which to introduce our signature Asian-inspired hospitality to the UK,” commented Shangri-La President and CEO Greg Dogan. “The mast 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.”
The spire-shaped, glass-clad Shard is a 306m high vertical city, located on the historic South Bank of the River Thames. The modern building provides the perfect foil for the hotel’s elegant, contemporary design, which drew inspiration from the rich cultural offerings of London’s vibrant art, fashion and entertainment scene and Shangri-La’s Asian heritage.
Each of the 202 guestrooms and suites offer a view, and the rooms are amongst the largest in London, averaging more than 42m2. They feature Chinese art reinterpreted in a modern, abstract way alongside a soothing colour scheme and mood lighting. All offer the exclusive Shangri-La Bed, featuring patented body-contouring technology, marble-clad bathrooms with heated floors and Acqua di Parma amenities. Complimentary internet access is available throughout the hotel, and butler service is offered in all suites.
The hotel’s Asian touches extend to its three wining and dining destinations. Ting (derived from the Chinese word for a living room) serves locally sourced cuisine with a hint of Asian flavours in the restaurant and authentic Asian specialities and two unique afternoon teas in the lounge. Láng (the Chinese word for pathway) is a patisserie and artisan deli on the ground-floor, showcasing a selection of Shangri-La signature cakes and savouries for eat-in of take-away, along with seasonal hampers.
The third, Gong, is London’s highest champagne and cocktail bar, launching 19 May 2014. The name is derived from ‘dougong’, an ancient Chinese structural element of interlocking wooden brackets that will be a component of the bar’s interior. Located on level 52, the floor will also house the 24-hour gym and London’s highest infinity pool.
For intimate celebrations, private cocktail gatherings and luxury product launches, the hotel’s three river-facing event spaces offer a London even experience like no other. Located on Level 34, they are connected to the sky lobby by a grand staircase with a vista of St. Paul’s Cathedral and beyond.
“Today marks an important milestone in London’s hotel landscape and the ongoing development of the South Bank Community and the borough of Southwark. We are thrilled to open our doors and be an integral part of this local community. We look forward to welcoming guests from all over the world and to delivering Shangri-La’s legendary hospitality from the heart to each and every guest,” concluded Darren Gearing, Executive Vice President and hotel General Manager of Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London.
