In the News: London Shangri-La

Although my long-established preference is for hideaway hotels, I am not entirely immune to the allure of glitz and glamour. That is why the prospect of staying at the new 202-room Shangri-La Hotel, at The Shard, in London has such appeal. Located between Floors 34 and 52 in Renzo Piano’s remarkable new 1,016-foot glass spire, rooms will look down on the Tower of London and The City financial district. The property is scheduled to debut in September. I am very much looking forward to taking a dip in the infinity pool and gazing across to Buckingham Palace. But, alas, I suspect that tables in GONG, the panoramic bar on Floor 52, may be rather hard to come by.