With the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April, Diplomat identifies London’s best hotel suites with the facilities to assist Heads of State and VIPs

Shangri-La Suite on level 39 of The Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard

Completed in 2012, The Shard stands at 309.6 metres making it Western Europe’s tallest building. Located on floors 34 to 52, the Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard is the city’s first high-rise hotel, offering unrivalled views of London from its floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel has 202 guest rooms that occupy levels 36 through 50. But the jewel in the hotel’s crown is the Shangri-La Suite.

Towering above St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shangri-La Suite is on level 39, offering gobsmacking 180-degree views, including the iconic Walkie Talkie and Gherkin buildings. The suite has to be one of the largest and most extraordinary in the capital.  At 188 square metres, guests are greeted by a sumptuous living area with huge wraparound sofas, plus a dining/ board table to seat ten. Designed and produced by a team of over 250 highly skilled craftsmen from around the world, the suite features exquisite custom-made furniture, carpets and silk wallpaper. Rooms are filled with beautiful art works, glassware and books.

In the bedroom, the specially designed enormous Shangri-La bed features patented body-contouring technology and is fitted with 1,000 thread count Frette linen with gold embroidery. A grand marble-clad bathroom has his and hers integrated television and mirror screens, heated floors, a steam shower and Jacuzzi bath. The expansive walk-in dressing chamber has space to store many months’ worth of clothes, and there are silk robes for dressing gowns.

There’s a separate office, plus a further desk in the sitting room that would work well for a PA. For those travelling with staff, the suite can be connected to an adjacent room, creating a massive 232 square metres of living space.

Additional Shangri-La touches include an extensive pillow menu, Toto washlet loos, and a Bose sound system that plays music throughout the suite.

A well-equipped private pantry allows for Shangri-La’s Dine by Design dining experience.

With a 24-hour personal butler and private chauffeur service, the guest experience when staying in the Shangri-La Suite is a cut above the rest. Completely staggering, the Shangri-La Suite will impress even the most seasoned of travellers and VIPs.

Shangri-La Hotel At The Shard, 

31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9QU

T: +44 (0)20 7234 8088

E: reservations.slln@shangri-la.com

www.shangri-la.com/london