03.28.07
The Shelbourne
The brother tells me a reader was frustrated with my description of the Shelbourne so I have to elaborate.
Well, MAINLY, it is exactly the same in look and feel except newer and fancier. The Shelbourne was just getting so shabby, it had to be done. But it’s still primarily thick carpets, thicker curtains, the wallpapers are fabric..everything is warm and muted. So the Lord Mayor’s Lounge ( the tea room on the right) looks the same and the Horseshoe Bar is practically identical to the previous one. The lobby has benefited from the removal of the lift and there seems to be extra and larger crystal chandeliers there. So think Shelbourne but just done up, and a bit grander.
The bar is the only bit that jars because it’s the bit that is more Morrison. I think it is carpeted, but the tables are granite or marble. There are some bar style high tables and then lower ones around the walls. A large curved marble top bar dominates the room. And the people are like the surfaces, hard and shiny. I can’t see myself relaxing in there.