London’s Shangri-La The Shard now offers luxury holidays for dogs – here’s our review

There aren’t many downsides to being a canine dad or mum, however not with the ability to take your valuable pooch in all places you go is unquestionably considered one of them.

Our furry pals are a significant component in our vacation plans, so if we need to carry them alongside, that often means having to keep away from fancy motels, which for probably the most half are about as dog-friendly as a chocolate tart.

That’s not the case with the five-star Shangri-La The Shard in London Bridge, which is now providing luxurious staycations for canine for a £75 pupgrade.

Yup, that’s proper, canine can now sleep up within the clouds. What a time to be alive.

We despatched Jo, Greg, and Franco the one-year-old Cocker Spaniel for an evening within the capital’s highest resort.

Right here’s what they fabricated from their keep…

Jo, Greg, and Franco’s overview of the Shangri-La The Shard’s dog-friendly staycation

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: Franco in his dog bed in the room
The deluxe metropolis view king room was good for a few people and little Franco (Image: Metro.co.uk)

We stayed in a deluxe metropolis view king room on the thirty ninth flooring of The Shard (Shangri-La occupies the thirty fourth – 52nd flooring of the long-lasting constructing).

It was pitch black once we entered the room, however as quickly as we inserted the important thing card the floor-to ceiling window blinds rolled open to disclose unimaginable views throughout London. There are even binoculars to make use of – we reside shut by and will spot which native canine had been within the park.

The room was tremendous spacious with an incredible king-size mattress – Franco even had his personal comfortable Venture Blu canine mattress, although he spent lots of time admiring the view from the couch and excitedly working throughout our mattress. It felt like he had lots of house to discover, for a resort room.

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: Franco in his bed
Franco was supplied with a mattress, toys, and a bowl (Image: Metro.co.uk)

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: Franco on the bed
However fairly loved stealing our sleeping spot (Image: Metro.co.uk)

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: Franco standing on the sofa
He loved having an discover (Image: Metro.co.uk)

Sitting within the tub, you’ve obtained views throughout Tower Bridge, and Franco cherished it as a lot as we did – he jumped within the tub as quickly as I ran one, which is bizarre as a result of he often hates baths.

There have been canine toys ready within the room for Franco, and canine bowls to make use of throughout our keep – considered one of them was full of scrumptious treats, which he devoured. One factor to notice, although is that there wasn’t any data about what the treats had been, which might have been helpful for fussier hounds.

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: Franco in the bath
He was a giant fan of the bath (Image: Metro.co.uk)

There’s additionally meant to be a canine room service menu, however there wasn’t one in our room, so we didn’t know what was out there – we introduced Franco’s personal meals anyway, and saved it within the mini bar fridge.

A dog-friendly information to the native space was included, advising on strolling routes, locations to eat along with your canine, grooming parlours, and a neighborhood vet contact. As locals, we will verify they included all the great spots.

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: Franco the dog reading a book
A dog-friendly information to the native space was offered (Image: Metro.co.uk)

After settling in, we head downstairs for a drink at Bar31, which is presently arrange like a ski lodge. Canines aren’t allowed on the different resort eating places or leisure services (no swim for you, Franco – sorry pal) however they’re allowed right here, and even get given further treats. You get your individual ‘lodge’ to take a seat in, which is beneficial in case your canine isn’t nice with different canine, and there’s loads of room for pooches to potter round.

Dropping Franco again within the room, we popped all the way down to degree 35 for dinner at TING, the resort’s Chinese language restaurant. It felt a bit unusual leaving him within the room alone, however we left him one of many more durable treats to maintain him occupied and ensure he didn’t trigger any chaos.

We’re fairly positive he had a shower whereas watching Paw Patrol on the TV within the lavatory mirror.

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: franco sitting on the swing seat
Alas, canine aren’t allowed to hang around within the restaurant, however they'll spend time in Bar31 (Image: Metro.co.uk)

As a vegetarian, I don’t often go for Chinese language meals as a result of restricted selection however there was a complete plant-based menu – I discovered it actually laborious to decide on, which is a good drawback to have as a veggie. We shared some small plates to begin (Vietnamese spring rolls, tofu ‘prawn’ toast and Korean cauliflower popcorn) earlier than our mains of prawn and abalone Shanghai noodles with XO sauce, and ‘Buddha’s Delight’ wok-fried greens.

‘Going to mattress, we didn’t hassle shutting the blinds because the view throughout London at evening was unreal to go to sleep to. We had been extremely fortunate to have clear skies and nice visibility once we woke at dawn.

‘We left Franco within the room once more for breakfast at TING, which was à la carte. I had the plant-based full English (large) with poached eggs, and Greg had the common full English. The wait employees had been tremendous clued up on completely different dietary preferences, and supplied so as to add issues to my plate after they came upon I used to be veggie, not vegan.

Shangri-La The Shard dog review: franco looking out of the window at the view of london at night
Taking within the views (Image: Metro.co.uk)

Shangri-La The Shard dog review - franco in bed
A stunning wakeup (Image: Metro.co.uk)

Shangri-La The Shard dog review
Be warned: we had to make use of two lifts to take Franco to the toilet (Image: Metro.co.uk)

One small problem was that we had to make use of two lifts to take Franco exterior to the toilet from our room, which was simple sufficient, however longer than what he’s used to, so bear this in thoughts in case your canine is used to shortly nipping into your backyard.

Sadly, Franco did find yourself doing a little bit pee on the bottom flooring close to the concierge (sorry!), however the employees had been superb about it.

Franco obtained plenty of consideration contained in the resort, with one other visitor exclaiming that they need they’d identified they may carry their canine. Contemplating the value of the room, £75 is nice worth to have the ability to carry your canine alongside – it was such a novelty to have him there with out worrying about leaving him with a sitter.

Shangri-La The Shard dog review
Canine-friendly upgrades value £75 an evening (Image: Metro.co.uk)

What it's good to know

A canine improve at Shangri-La The Shard prices £75 per evening. Charges for a deluxe metropolis view king room begin at £675/evening from March 2022.

  • Canine mattress, canine towels and meals and water bowls to make use of throughout your keep
  • Complimentary luxurious canine treats
  • Complimentary canine toy
  • Complimentary collar tag
  • ‘Shangri-La Tails dog-friendly information to the native space

R

  • Canines should be small-medium, weighing lower than 22kg.
  • Canines should be saved on the lead when exploring the general public areas of the resort.
  • Canines aren’t allowed within the resort’s leisure services, TING restaurant or GŎNG cocktail bar, nevertheless they’re welcomed with open paws at Bar31 on the bottom flooring, which is partially exterior.

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