Stay at Shangri-La The Shard, London: Elevated Luxury Above the London Skyline
- Lucia Lado
- Apr 23
- 6 min read
Experience how one lift ride transforms urban London into calm, panoramic skyline serenity.
The Shard was designed as a modern vertical landmark — a glass spire that redefines the London skyline and offers a completely different way of experiencing the city: from above it. Shangri-La The Shard is a single building that functions like a small vertical city — combining offices, residences, restaurants, and a hotel — all in one tower.
🏨 LOCATION & CONNECTIVITY
Shangri-La The Shard, London is exceptionally well connected, placing you at the centre of London’s transport and cultural network.
Just a short walk away is the London Bridge Underground and rail hub, offering direct access across the city and beyond.
From the hotel, you can easily reach some of London’s most iconic areas on foot, including:
The Strand
Covent Garden
Soho
The South Bank riverfront
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Wen you stay at Shangri-La The Shard a scenic walk along the Thames connects you directly to cultural landmarks, bridges, and riverside dining spots, offering one of the most atmospheric routes through central London.
🚆 National & airport connections
London Bridge Station also provides fast rail access to key destinations outside the city, including:
Gatwick Airport
Brighton
Windsor
Winchester
Canterbury
This makes the location not only ideal for exploring central London, but also highly convenient for arrivals, departures, and day trips across southern England.
Want help planning your airport transfers or day trips? I can include everything in your personalised itinerary.
🏨 YOUR STAY: Shangri-La The Shard, London
High above the Thames and the historic streets of London Bridge, Shangri-La The Shard, London delivers a very different kind of luxury experience — modern, confident, and defined by its skyline perspective.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive interiors open directly onto uninterrupted views of London, creating an atmosphere that feels cinematic and elevated. This is a stay designed around presence and perspective, ideal for marking meaningful moments in the city.
From sunrise over the rooftops to the Thames curving through London below, the entire experience is shaped by height, light, and silence above the city.
🎯 Recommended for
US couples seeking a landmark London stay
First-time luxury visitors to the city
Celebratory and milestone trips
Special occasion travel
Guests aged approximately 30–55 who value modern skyline luxury
👉 Check availability from £690
Recommended Experiences for Your Stay
Curated to match your hotel, pace, and London itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in London
Afternoon – Thames River Cruise with Afternoon Tea
Time: 3:30 PM
Duration: 1.5 hours
Meeting Point: Tower Millennium Pier, London EC3N 4DT
Distance from The Shard: Short walk (under 1 mile ~10–15 minutes)
Enjoy a relaxed Thames cruise with classic afternoon tea while passing London’s most iconic riverside landmarks, including Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and the London Eye.
Flexible Afternoon Activity
London Eye Fast Track Ticket
Valid entry window:
June–August: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Other months: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Ticket type: Flexible fast-track entry (visit at your preferred time)
A great optional activity depending on your arrival time or energy level after check-in. Ideal for sunset or early evening city views.
Evening – Fine Dining near / in The Shard
You have several excellent high-end dining options either inside The Shard or within a short walk:
Dining inside The Shard
Aqua Shard – Modern British cuisine with panoramic city views
Hutong – Northern Chinese cuisine with dramatic skyline views
Oblix – Contemporary grill & rotisserie with New York-style atmosphere
TĪNG Restaurant & Lounge – Elegant Asian-European fusion dining with sunset views
Short walk option (5–10 minutes from The Shard)
Trivet – Michelin-starred modern European dining with a strong focus on wine pairing and seasonal tasting menus
Day 2 – Iconic London Highlights
A full day focused on London’s royal history and most famous landmarks, with the option to add a second guided sightseeing tour in the afternoon.
Tower of London Small-Group Tour
Tour: The Tower of London – Small Group Tour with a Local Expert
Start time: 10:00 AM
Meeting point: Tower of London Welcome Centre, Tower Place West, 5 Great Tower St, EC3R 5BT
Distance from The Shard: Under 1 mile – easy stroll across the river or short transfer.
Your pre-paid tour includes
Small-group guided experience
Entry to the Tower of London
Access to the Crown Jewels & Coronation Exhibition
Entry to the White Tower & Royal Armouries
During the visit you will explore nearly 1,000 years of British history, from William the Conqueror’s 1066 fortress to its roles as royal palace, mint, armoury and prison.
Morning Sightseeing Option
Royal Westminster Highlights Tour, Small group
Tour: London: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben & Westminster Abbey (with entry)
Duration: 5 hours
Start time: 10:00 AM
Meeting point: The Ritz London (approx. 4 Tube stops from The Shard)
This small-group tour covers 20 of London’s top landmarks in half a day, including entry to Westminster Abbey — the historic coronation site of British monarchs.
Highlights include: Buckingham Palace • Big Ben • Houses of Parliament • Downing Street
End point: Westminster Abbey, Dean’s Yard, SW1P 3PA
After the tour:
3 Tube stops on the Jubilee Line , to the next tour starting at 3:30 PM.
Scenic 2-mile walk along the Thames back to The Shard
Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket
Discover the dramatic history of the Tower of London at your own pace. After arrival, you can join a guided tour led by a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) and explore the fortress that has served as a royal palace, armoury, mint and prison since its founding by William the Conqueror in 1066. The visit includes access to the world-famous Crown Jewels exhibition.
Unlike entry-only tickets, this package includes a guided Beefeater tour.
Timing note: The last Yeoman Warder tour begins at 3:30 PM. If combining with the Royal Westminster Highlights Tour, you can catch the 3.30 pm start riding 3 easy stops on Jublee line.
Dinner recommendation: OMA – A stylish Greek-inspired restaurant at Borough Market, open late and perfect for a relaxed evening after sightseeing. Expect vibrant sharing plates, excellent wine and a lively atmosphere just a short walk from The Shard.
Day 3 – Free Exploration
I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay at Shangri-La The Shard.
If your departure is in the afternoon, I recommend joining a
Borough Market & Leadenhall Food Tour with Wine, combined with a guided walking tour through Southwark and the City of London.
This small-group tour includes tastings of six different samples of traditional British cuisine, all included in the price. The meeting point is conveniently located just across the main road from Shangri-La The Shard.
The tour finishes at Leadenhall Market, a beautiful covered market set within a historic building. From there, it’s an easy walk back to the hotel—less than a mile and around 20 minutes—by crossing London Bridge.
If you have the option to extend your stay in London, I highly recommend adding a day trip. Trains depart from London Bridge station, just a few steps from the hotel.
Day Trip to BrightonOnly 1.5 hours by train, Brighton is a classic seaside escape. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade, take in the fresh sea air, and visit the iconic Brighton Palace Pier, built in elegant Regency style.
While in Brighton, explore the city on a walking tour combined with
Handcrafted Donuts & Tea: Brighton's Artisan Sweet Treat Tour
for a fun and delicious way to discover this vibrant coastal town.
Make your way around Brighton as you sample some of the city’s best donuts, wander along the seafront, and explore its eclectic streets, including the stunning Royal Pavilion and the vibrant North Laine.
Tours start at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and last approximately two hours.
Flexible Add-Ons to Your Itinerary
If you are arriving at or departing from Heathrow Airport, we recommend booking a
Private taxi transfer: Heathrow Airport ⇄ London
If you are flying via Gatwick Airport or Stansted Airport, we suggest taking the train instead.
This service provides one-way private transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and includes 75 minutes of complimentary waiting time after your flight lands. The provider monitors your flight in real time, so whether you arrive early or experience delays, your driver will adjust accordingly and be ready to collect you on time.
🟨 Haven’t found what interests you yet?
Rolling Hill Stays offers hotel bookings through trusted hotel partnerships, along with fully personalised itineraries to create a seamless and stress-free travel experience.
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