Shard of Glass to be tallest hotel in Europe

It is the hotel in the clouds - and many of the rooms will even have a sea view.

Hotel chain Shangri-La plans to take over more than 20 floors of the capital's new "Shard of Glass" tower block building at London Bridge, it was announced today.

The intention is to create what will be Europe's tallest hotel and will be the first purpose-built fivestar hotel in the capital for more than a decade.

As well as a stunning bird's-eye view of landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and even Windsor Castle, on a clear day the sharper-eyed among the residents will be able to see all the way from the 70-storey tower to the English Channel.

"The Gherkin is absolutely dwarfed by it," said Kate Jones of Hong-Kong-based chain Shangri-La. "And it will really have the wow factor.

"Shangri-La hotels are renowned for their opulent interior design and our first hotel in Europe will be no exception."

As well as the fabulous views, guests will be able to enjoy a series of restaurants and bars, a spa and an infinity pool.

Directly above the main hotel floors will be a public viewing gallery - standing 735 feet off the ground - and above that will be 15 floors of heating and ventilation plants.

But although news of the Shangri-La deal is a great boost for the future of the Shard of Glass, it is still by no means certain that it will actually get built.

Planning permission for the 1,000ft tower - properly known as London Bridge Tower - was given by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in November 2003.

The developers, though, have said they need to let about 40 per cent of its floor space before they will start work.

It is thought that none of the lower floors of the tower have yet been let.