Shangri-La at the Shard

The once low-lying London skyline has gone up in the world since the addition of Renzo Piano's 306m glass spike, rising resolutely above the city's Bankside area. And while Londoners have just got used to the idea of slick dining rooms 32 floors up (namely at the Shard's restaurant Oblix), the launch of the Shangri-La hotel offers the first opportunity for sky-high sleepovers. Set over 18 floors, from level 34 of the 72-storey tower, the Shangri-La boasts those oriental-themed interiors synonymous with the brand; they act as a subtle backdrop to the dramatic, panoramic vistas. The hotel will open in phases, with three signature suites opening later this year. We're most pleased with Göng on level 52, London's highest bar, with its own seductive infinity pool. With the considerable talents of Hong Kong-based André Fu behind the bar's design, it's a real winner.

A bar area in the Shangri-La at the Shard hotel. A light gray couch sits against the wall to the right, with round tables in between the couch and light brown tabourets. Against the floor-to-ceiling windows, we have another row of sitting areas in the same fashion. The bar is to the center, up against the far wall.

A restaurant area in the Shangri-La at the Shard hotel. To the left, we see vine fridges full of bottles. In the center, we have a row of round tables with light and dark brown chairs and couches with lamps beside them. To the right, against the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city at night, we have square tables with brown chairs.

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Lauren Ho is the Travel Director of Wallpaper*, roaming the globe, writing extensively about luxury travel, architecture and design for both the magazine and the website. Lauren serves as the European Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Hotels.