London, England

The evening sky changes colour over Tower Bridge as the day draws to a close in London. From this vantage point, it’s hard to believe that anyone would want to escape the high-octane hustle and bustle of this magnificent city but, then again…Chilling out with a champagne cocktail at Shangri-La’s 52nd level GONG bar might just be the latest take on financial district nirvana.
Inspired by the mythical aspect of the dragon-red mineral, cinnabar, that was used in the walls of Chinese imperial palaces, GONG’s intimate boudoir personality takes us back to the timeless allure of the Orient. Its sizzling backdrop and reservation-needed popularity have quickly earned GONG a name as the financial district’s latest go-to for a late-night drink.
The Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London, strategically occupies floors 34-52 of Renzo Piano’s new landmark in the vibrant London Bridge area. Here, with 185 distinctly spacious rooms and 17 signature, butler-serviced suites with picture-perfect, uninterrupted panoramas of life along the River Thames, accommodations are just as heavenly. Marble and silk interiors blend seamlessly with contemporary light-wood decors that are a gentle mix of modern Asian and high tech. The perfect spot for an adult sleep-over without the kids or a business rendezvous, Asian style.
Divine dining is true to Shangri-La’s worldwide style with Executive Chef, Emil Minev leading a brigade of 60 to run LÁNG, TING, GONG and 24-hour room service. At TING, British fare with an enticingly delicate Asian twist is on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Service is top notch and the lively kitchen buzz and sneak peaks from the open-plan finishing deck make dining more fun here as well. The hotel’s quick-stop artisan deli and café on the main floor adds a sweet touch with home-made chocolates, signature cakes and pastries, as well as lovely sandwiches and creative beverages.
And, last to be finished, but well worth waiting for, is the spectacular “Skypool”on level 52. Why not take a dip with stunning views of St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Westminster in sight? And, if you’re still treading water at dusk, the team at GONG might just treat you to pool-side delights and a night-cap.
www.shangri-la.com
Photos: Shangri-La