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The Shard's Shangri-La hotel rooms reveal guests' movements at night

Glass panels on The Shard serve as mirrors into guests' rooms at night

Antonia Molloy
Tuesday 13 May 2014 04:59 EDT
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The Shangri-La hotel is housed on the 34th to 52nd floors of The Shard
The Shangri-La hotel is housed on the 34th to 52nd floors of The Shard (PA)

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Guests at the glamorous Shangri-La hotel at The Shard might want to close their blinds at night to protect their privacy.

An oddity in the design of the 310 metre-high building means that hotel guests can be seen inside their rooms when the lights are on after dark.

The Shard, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is covered in glass panels, which act as mirrors with the potential to reveal the antics of other guests, the Financial Times reported.

It is the latest mishap to plague the Shangri-La hotel, which opened last week with only 59 of its 202 bedrooms ready.

The Financial Times reported that guests in a neighbouring room were “clearly visible” as they got ready for bed and that it was also possible to see the bed in another room on a lower floor.

And the problem was all the more evident as the exclusive rooms boast floor-to-ceiling windows.

Darren Gearing, the hotel general manager, told the newspaper: “In some rooms, due to the unique shape of the Shard, guests may be able to glimpse into a neighbour’s room.

“For this, blinds are available for guest privacy.”

The Shangri-La hotel is housed on the 34th to 52nd floors of The Shard; it features an indoor infinity pool and stunning views across London.

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