Luxury hotels and afternoon teas are something of a tradition in London. After all, it’s the city where the teatime ritual was invented by Anna Maria Russell—seventh Duchess of Bedford and lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria—around 1840. It’s also the city of opulent five-star hotels where regal afternoon teas are a tradition. Now, of course, numerous hotels across the city offer excellent afternoon pick-me-ups, so you’re spoiled for choice. But how many offer the chance to dine amongst the clouds—and perhaps take a cheeky dip in the hotel pool? We head to Shangri-La The Shard, London for a rather delightful afternoon.

While this visit was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

An afternoon at Shangri-La The Shard, London

Sky high

Located towards the top of the British capital’s Southbank icon—the Shard building—Shangri-La’s London outpost managed to nab one of the city’s most enviable hotel locations. Perched amidst the clouds, it’s certainly the most unique. Stepping out into the 35th-floor hotel lobby, guests are greeted with unparalleled 180-degree views over the city that sweep from Vauxhall in the southwest and up towards Canary Wharf in the east.

This summer, the lobby features an explosion of whimsical decorations that celebrate Find Your Shangri-La, the brand’s recently-launched global campaign. Translation? Expect to see the view framed by colourful installations of giant flowers—courtesy of McQueens Flowers—miniature hot-air balloons and other quirky design features designed to take visitors Over the Rainbow to a fantasy world of indulgence.

Stratospheric wellbeing

Shangri-La The Shard London Sky Pool
Take a dip in the Sky Pool

The afternoon kicks off in high gear with a visit to Shangri-La The Shard, London’s Sky Gym on the 52nd floor. The small but well-designed fitness centre features all the basic equipment you need to get your sweat on. Yes, there are bigger gyms with far more equipment, but you’d be hard-pressed to find one that offers such epic views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Of course, the main attraction on the wellness floor is the Infinity Sky Pool. Open to guests at any time—and visitors who make a booking and pay for the privilege—this charming indoor pool deck certainly gives other urban hotel pools a run for their money.

To be fair, it’s not a massive pool—it tops out at around 10 x 4 metres. But unless you’re Michael Phelps, chances are you’re not here to swim too many laps. Instead, kick back on one of the oversized daybeds, sipping a freshly brewed tea (or coffee) while taking in the views.

Of course, you may well be inspired to take a plunge just to get a closer look at the view—to the West, just in the frame of the last window, I manage to spot my old university accommodation and have to ask myself “How did I get from there to here?”

Tea for two

Shangri-La The Shard Over The Rainbow afternoon tea
Sample the Over the Rainbow afternoon tea at TĪNG

Arguably the biggest draw of spending an afternoon at Shangri-La The Shard, London, is taking tea at TĪNG Lounge, which, right now, is serving the Over the Rainbow set.

Settling into a window-front table—you can practically tick off a bunch of London icons from here, including London Bridge, the Tower of London, the Walkie Talkie building, and, in the distance, the London Eye—this modern spin on a traditional ritual begins.

Kicking things off is an architectural chocolate concoction, made to look like The Shard and presented in a “cloud” activated by running water over dry ice. Points for dramatic flair, but let’s get onto the food.

The three-tier stand features a selection of classic finger sandwiches—coronation chicken, smoked salmon, and cucumber, truffle egg and cress—and, as is standard, a mix of sweet and savoury treats like a brioche burger with ratatouille and green pesto and a pineapple and coconut mousse tart topped with a hummingbird.

I do vaguely wonder if and when there will be scones, which are usually on the tea stand—turns out, they show up after I make my way through most of the other treats.

Paired with a glass of Champagne and a pot of Assam tea—and, of course, that view—it’s probably one of the most well-put-together afternoon tea experiences I’ve ever enjoyed in London. And, being able to work off the calories beforehand at the gym and pool, only upped the ante.

Discover more about Shangri-La The Shard, London

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