The Premier City View should have looked like this
The best thing about Shangri-La at the Shard London was, indisputably, the view. As part of the tallest building in the UK nay, Europe those glass walls overlooked everything you could possibly want to see in London.
Which brings us to the worst thing about the hotel: the unimpeded views thanks to all that glass, the shape of the building and some seriously unfortunate reflection of other rooms and their occupants.
Well, according to the Daily Mail, the hotel has hit on a genius way to avoid the reflection issue privacy stripes down the windows. This means guests in other rooms will be unable to see you.
Unfortunately, it also means that if you cant see in, you cant see out. Those beautiful views that you paid so much to see? Ruined.
A guest contacted the Mail to say that hed specifically upgraded to a £575 ($ 895) Premier City View room on the 45th floor, but was left without much of a view thanks to the massive frosted white stripes covering his windows.
In a statement, the hotel acknowledged the problem but claimed it affected only a very limited number of rooms, and that the frosting affects approximately 20-30 degrees of the 180-degree view, and it is still possible to see the London skyline through the film.
The Mail has found several people on TripAdvisor who are up in arms about the screens, but from what we saw, most people are still gushing over the views so were guessing it really does depend on the room youre in.
On the plus side, the hotel added that they will be installing controllable blinds on these room junctions within the coming months. So youve been open over a year, youre charging $ 895 for your rooms and you still havent sorted out an issue that was complained about from day one? Priorities!
In the meantime, if youre checking in, we suggest you request a room that doesnt have the screen. Rates tonight start from £400 ($ 622).
[Photo: Daily Mail/Shangri La]