Shangri-La Hotels and
Resorts announced Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London will open 6
May 2014. Located on the historic South Bank of the River Thames
in the 306-metre-high, glass-clad Shard, the hotel will be the Hong
Kong-based luxury hotel group’s third in Europe, following debuts in
Paris in 2010 and Istanbul in 2013.
As the tallest
hotel in Western Europe and the first high-rise hotel in London, the
Shangri-La occupies levels 34 to 52 of the 72-storey Shard. Its
contemporary interior design complements Renzo Piano’s masterful
architecture and the breathtaking views – unmatched by any other hotel
in London – unfold in all directions revealing iconic landmarks such as
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Houses of
Parliament.
“Our continued expansion in
Europe reflects the growth opportunities for the brand and portfolio,”
said Shangri-La President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Dogan.
“The Shard is a landmark synonymous with London and we hope to
encourage visitors to our hotel, and the surrounding area. We are
truly excited to be an integral part of the ongoing development of the
South Bank community and the borough of Southwark.”
Every detail of the hotel
environment has been taken into consideration – from the extensive
collection of original artworks on display to the spectacular grand
staircase sweeping across double length floor to ceiling windows,
linking levels 34 and 35 within the hotel’s sky lobby.
Guests will be escorted in a
high-speed elevator from the hotel’s dedicated entrance on St. Thomas
Street to the sky lobby on level 35. Subtle Asian touches in the
lobby and lobby lounge will reflect Shangri-La’s heritage, while modern
and classic art with pieces from a mix of acclaimed Asian and British artists
are showcased throughout public areas.
The hotel’s 202 guestrooms and
suites will open from levels 36 to 50 and are amongst the largest in
London. Because of The Shard’s spiral shape, each of the spacious
guestrooms and suites, which range from 30 to 188 square metres, is
individual in layout and design. All feature floor to ceiling
windows and unrivalled views across the city, marble-clad bathrooms
with heated floors, separate bathtubs, Acqua di Parma amenities and
mirrors with integrated television screens. Over a third of these
bathrooms have city views.
Deluxe, Premier and Grand
Premier guestrooms and suites offer northerly views towards the City
and London’s most famous landmarks. Superior guestrooms and
suites feature far-reaching vistas over the vibrant areas of the south
and towards the historic counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Some of the most stunning views
are from the hotel’s three signature suites that will be unveiled in
September. All signature suites overlook St. Paul’s Cathedral,
Tower Bridge and down river towards the O2 Arena. The jewel in
the crown is the Shangri-La Suite, situated on level 39, providing
180-degree views of London. From the Palace of Westminster and
Big Ben to the Tower of London, the view encompasses the River Thames
with the Canary Wharf, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and
Maritime Greenwich dotted along the meandering waterway.
The hotel will feature
three wining and dining venues. GŎNG, London’s highest bar on
level 52, takes its name from 'dougong' – an ancient Chinese structural
element of interlocking wooden brackets that will be a component of the
bar’s interior. TĪNG, derived from the Chinese word for a living
room, is the signature restaurant and lounge on level 35 and LÁNG – the
Chinese word for 'pathway' – is an artisan deli on the ground
floor. Level 52 will also be home to a 24-hour gym and London’s
highest infinity pool, and along with GŎNG, level 52 will duly open
from 1 July.
Three river-facing event spaces
on level 34 offer stunning views and state-of-the-art conferencing
technology along with catering services. The largest of the
venues, Ren, accommodates up to 140 guests; the other two, Yi and Li,
can hold up to 10 and 35 guests, respectively. The grand staircase
connecting levels 34 and 35, with its vista of St. Paul’s Cathedral and
beyond, will be a picture-perfect location for wedding photography.
“We are thrilled to be opening
our doors in May after a number of years of planning and preparation,”
said Darren Gearing, executive vice president and hotel general manager
of Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London. “The hotel’s inspiring
views will connect emotionally with guests, while our service hallmarks
will position the hotel at the forefront of the world’s finest hotels.”
The hotel will be open for
advance rooms, events, restaurant and lounge bookings from 17 March,
with opening room rates starting at £450 per room per night, including
VAT.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La
Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies,
currently owns and/or manages more than 80 hotels under the Shangri-La
brand with a room inventory of over 34,000. Over four decades the
group has established its brand hallmark of ‘hospitality from the
heart.’ The group has a substantial development pipeline
with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. For more
information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or
access the website at www.shangri-la.com.
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