A Complete Hotel Review of Shangri-La London

Location

London Bridge is a well connected riverside district in central London. Known for popular landmarks like the Shard, Borough Market and Tower Bridge, its excellent transport links make it a convenient base for food, history and city views.

Rooms & Comfort

I booked their Deluxe Double room, which was the most competitive rate and came to a total of £1500 for two nights. It had all the essentials, amazing views of London from the fourty second floor, toilet amenities, electronic window blinds and a smartTV. Most importantly, the bed was terribly comfortable. So comfortable, I kept having naps during the day, all thanks to the meticulously soft bedding.

Food & Drink

I ordered something off each of their breakfast menus: Continental, European and Vegan. My drink was a very strong Bellini cocktail. It was enjoyable, nothing memorable but still a satisfying meal.

Staff & Service

The staff was helpful, courteous and friendly every time I had an encounter with them. The doormen were quick and helpful in taking my luggage on arrival. There was security on ground but they were courteous and rarely asked for identification, something I appreciated as profiling is a very real ordeal in our world especially as a person of color. The receptionists were also lovely and helpful.

Overall Rating

My stay at the Shangri-La London began with excitement, given its iconic location inside The Shard and its reputation as one of the city’s premier luxury hotels. While the setting is undeniably striking, the experience didn’t feel quite as luxurious as I had anticipated. On the plus side, I loved the convenience of being in the same building as one of my favorite London restaurants (Oblix), which made dining effortless.

Getting around the hotel, however, took some patience—the journey between my room and the lobby felt surprisingly long as there were two elevators to take. On arrival, I also discovered an issue with the in-room TV; although an engineer quickly came to assist, he could only get Netflix working.

When I weighed the overall experience against the high room rate, I struggled to justify the price. The main highlights were the breathtaking views and, of course, the exclusivity of staying inside The Shard—a billion-pound landmark. Still, I can see myself returning one day purely to enjoy the hotel’s standout wellness facilities: the gym, sauna, and the famous infinity pool, said to be the highest in London.

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