Stunning London views from The Shard

London has some of the world's tophotels. But unlike New York, Hong Kongor Paris, it's never been able to offerluxury rooms with a really stunning viewof the city. Until now.

The newly opened Shangri-La, on floors34 to 52 of The Shard skyscraper, isthe highest hotel in Europe. I stayedthere recently and the views are jawdropping on a good day, you can seeall the way to Heathrow in the westand the Thames Barrier in the east.

AsBen Macintyre put it in The Times, it isthe "most astonishing urban panoramaI have ever seen". Better yet, "you canspecify a particular view when you book,depending on whether you prefer to seeTower Bridge, the London Eye or theGherkin" or book a corner suite andenjoy the view of all three.

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Questionable design

But if you're worried, some roomshave bathrooms at the back thatwon't leave you at the mercy of yourneighbours' wandering eyes. Just be sureto ask for one.

The fantastic views go some way tooffseting an otherwise rather nondescriptinterior. Macintyre describesit as "artfully restrained", but I have tosay I just found it dull. The rooms areincredibly businesslikewith littleflair, and once theblinds are drawn itis not a space youwill want to spendmuch time in.

That's not a hugeproblem in thecentre of London,admittedly, butit's still a littledisappointing.As Fiona Duncanputs it in The DailyTelegraph, this is"the standardisedhotel group'approach", witha "formulaic,impersonalstyle."

Thehotel "is certainly smart, with plentyof Asian touches but its unimaginativecombination of bland and bling is nomatch for the building itself and thecarpets and chandeliers are a particulareyesore."

Incredible, imaginative chef

Youcan watch the sun set across the capitalwhile tucking into a dinner of spice-roastedpork with pineapple, or teriyakimonkfish. But for me the highlight wasafternoon tea easily one of the best I'vehad in London.

Opt for the Asian versionand you can enjoy prawn dumplings, ricepaper rolls and Asian-style pork opensandwiches, alongside scones and jam.Alternatively, the traditional afternoontea is also good (I admit I had both),with a constantly replenished tray ofsandwiches and delicious cakes.

There's also an infinity pool on the 52ndfloor, alongside a gym where you canrun while enjoying the incredible views.Unfortunately there isn't a spa, whichseems a bit of an omission for a luxuryhotel charging £450-plus a night. Citinga lack of space doesn't really wash whenyou consider the hotel has 202 roomsover 19 floors.

All in all, the location is very much the Shangri-La's main selling point, and you should prepare to be sorely disappointed if it is foggy. But the food is great and if the skies are clear, the view will certainly give you something to talk about for a long time to come.

Prices start from £450for a double room, butif you can afford to pay£600 for an Iconic CityView room, do so sothat you can enjoy thedual-aspect views.Visit www.shangri-la.com/london or call020-7234 8000.