The best thing about ‘The Shard,’ often referred to as the ‘Shard of Glass,’ is its impressive crystalline shape on the London skyline.

The Shard

It’s 87 stories, the tallest building in Western Europe, with 72 habitable floors. It has a hotel, offices, restaurants, residential apartments and viewing platforms. But having just had a drink with my old mate from London at the Aqua Shard on the 31st floor, I wouldn’t return in a hurry. The service was terrible.

Aqua Shard

A view of the Thames River from the 72nd floor of the The Shard

We also went up onto the viewing gallery at a cost of  £29 each but it’s what you’d expect –London from 244 metres. Save your money and spend it somewhere else.