Above London’s clouds, Shangri-La offers a slice of paradise

There are plenty of strange, surreal places to visit in London. From the beautiful, botanical paradise hiding among the brutalist architecture of the Barbican to the slick, sophisticated wine bars tucked away in restored Victorian toilets, the list of London’s bizarre hidden gems is longer than the M25.

But perhaps the most surreal destination can be found almost six-hundred feet above the city’s streets; a fully-equipped, fogged-up sauna on the 52nd floor of The Shard. Why? Because, to all steamy intents and misted-up purposes, this sauna is like any other.

While it may be exclusively offered to guests of the lofty Shangri-La hotel, once you’ve tossed a ladle or two of water on the coals, the sprawling view is lost to steamed-up windows. You could be anywhere. And you sweat and you shvitz and you blissfully detoxify, oblivious that — while you sit in your own cloud of steam — you’re above the actual clouds outside.

But then, the steam fades — and the view returns. It’s a panorama like few others; one that rolls on for miles and will keep your eyes wide and your jaw dropped from check-in to check-out. Whether you’re waking in your suite, dining in one of The Shard’s three delectable restaurants or taking a morning dip in the ‘Sky Pool’, this 360-degree window onto our hustling, bustling capital is a constant reminder of just how central — and sky high — your stay is.

Since opening in 2014, just two years after The Shard itself opened, Shangri-La has become one of the most exclusive modern hotels in London. And, while it may not have the history of Mayfair’s haunts or Kensington’s hideaways — or the novel, in-the-know nods of some bijou, boutique boltholes — it’s fast become one of the most coveted hotels in town.

And, thankfully, although the views draw guests from around the world, the hotel’s height isn’t used as a novelty or gimmick. All too easily, the hoteliers could have checked out once they secured this slice of cloud-topping real estate; relying on the heady views as a crutch. But they didn’t — and instead delivered a truly luxurious establishment; one that would be as sumptuous, sophisticated and swoon-worthy if it sat at street level.

And both the amenities and the extras are a big part of this decadence. While the rooms are impressive — offerings range from ‘Superior Shard’ to the ‘Shangri-La Suite’ and all come fitted with beautifully-appointed bathrooms (futuristic Japanese toilet, anyone?) — it’s the wider offerings that give the Shard’s hotel its razor-sharp edge.

In addition to the sauna, there’s a 35-foot heated infinity pool and treatments including deep tissue, aromatherapy and holistic massages. There’s a fully-equipped gym on site, a Neal’s Yard Remedies pop-up spa and a choice of four restaurants and bars to dine at.

And the food is as impressive as the views. TĪNG Restaurant, especially, has a menu brimming with delectable Asian-influenced plates — presently so perfectly that its intricate dishes may even manage to draw your eyes away from the cityscape outside. And nothing pairs as well with the sun setting over the capital as the Sky Lounge’s endlessly creative drinks menu; bursting with colour, flavour and taking cocktail-making cues from the view of the city (drinks include ‘Red Horizon’, ‘Aspect Vista’ and ‘Night Owl Panorama’).

But, despite the Asian-inspired flavours and oriental decor, this sky-high hotel remains a brilliantly British affair. And nowhere is this patriotic edge more evident than with Shangri-La’s landmark celebrations of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Spanning the months of May and June, the events and installations include a ‘Superbloom’ flower display created in collaboration with McQueen’s Flowers, an immersive four-metre-tall sculpture paying homage to the Queen’s iconic stamp motif and an extraordinary contemporary photographic exhibition of the Queen and Royal Household by royal photographer Hugo Rittson-Thomas.

There’s even a ‘Skyline Jubilee Afternoon Tea’ being served at TĪNG Lounge, which features a miniature chocolate and raspberry recreation of The Shard itself. Or, elsewhere in the landmark, why not raise a glass to the monarch with a gin-based ‘Jubilee’ cocktail, designed by GŎNG’s mixologists to put an Asian-inspired spin on the Queen’s favourite serve, the Dubonnet.

And, even if your celebrations and jubilations hit new heights — and you end up overdoing it on the Dubonnets — there’s always that sauna on the 52nd floor to help you recover. All you need do is pull on your robe, and get ready to be detoxified and dazzled in equal panoramic measure.

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