One woman described her surprise at finding the window leading directly to a restaurant in her New York City hotel.
Desiree Baker booked the room at Cassa, a hotel near Times Square, via Airbnb, believing she had found a bargain in the middle of Manhattan.
Photos on the booking website showed a room with a view out over the city.
It was only when she woke the following morning and opened the blinds that she realized the room looked directly into Tempura, the hotel restaurant, with the closest table less than a foot away.
The restaurant wall is lined with mirrors, which are actually room windows.
Expectation: Desiree Baker booked a room in Cassa near Times Square via Airbnb believing that she was getting a great deal. Below, images from the listing
Reality: It was only when Desiree woke the following morning and opened the blinds that she realized the room looked directly into Tempura, the hotel restaurant, with the closest table less than a foot away. Above is a couple dining at the window of the hotel room.
Wow! It looks straight into the restaurant from this window. The mirrors are hidden on one side and are not visible to diners so they don’t know there is a room looking in from the other.
Desiree’s viral video about her amazing discovery went viral in less than 24 hours.
This appears to be the Park Double in the Cassa Hotel Apartments. It is possible to book this room directly via the hotel website. Desiree booked through Airbnb. However, the listing for this room is not available.
Explaining the situation, she said: ‘It’s a good location I thought, perfect, this is a perfect place to stay. It was pitch dark when we arrived so we went straight to bed.
“When I woke up, there were no blackout shades. But it was amazing to look at the views. It was my belief that I would see buildings, skylines or some other structure.
It appears that the room is the Park Double at Cassa Hotel & Apartments. You can book direct through the hotel’s website. Desiree booked through Airbnb even though the listing for her room is not available. Photos from Airbnb are slightly different
Desiree demonstrated how hotel rooms windows can be disguised in mirrors at the restaurant. Desiree films the mirror that hides her hotel room, in separate TikTok videos
View inside the restaurant.
“I pull up my shades, and now we’re in a restaurant. It is complete. This window allows me to fully enjoy their meal, or their lunch.
Desiree is seen opening her window to enter the restaurant. She also raises the blind in another post to locate a couple dining at the next table.
Desiree shared this screenshot from an alleged swap with Airbnb’s booking host. He also has another listing.
Desiree asked for a refund on her stay. The host responded: “Apologies for taking so long to respond to you. We were going to cancel the reservation due to room problems, but we were still able to accommodate you.
“I think everything went well during your stay, and I’m glad that you were able to visit us during this season.”
Desiree reached out to the Booking Manager (top), but she did not respond to her concerns about the view from the restaurant. Airbnb reached out to her (below) with a coupon and partial refund.
Desiree received another message from Airbnb. He wrote that he had learned of her experience via TikTok. We are shocked and disappointed by the experience.
“We are going to be in touch with our host. But we want you to know that we care.
It looks like you checked out today, Dec 20th. I don’t think we could do anything about your reservation. However, I’d be glad to give you a coupon for a future Airbnb booking or a discount on your initial stay. Please let me know if you have any other requests/ideas.
Desiree expressed her satisfaction with Airbnb’s responses.