TikTok-er Discovers Airbnb Window Opens Directly into Times Square Restaurant

If you book an Airbnb in Times Square, you expect that you'll be in the middle of everything New York City has to offer. At the same time, you don't ever anticipate that the windows of your accommodations are going to open directly into a bustling Japanese restaurant.

That's exactly what happened to a traveler named Desiree Rose Baker, who was shocked when she pulled up the shades in the room she'd booked at Cassa Times Square. She expected to see the views of the city skyline that were suggested on the hotel's website; instead, she could see strangers enjoying their meal at Tempura NYC.

In a video she posted to TikTok, Baker rolled up the window shade and, sure enough, she was staring right at a couple having a meal. "I'm scared they'll see us," she says before turning out the light in her room. "Look at this. That's a restaurant. That's two people eating dinner." (In a follow-up TikTok, Baker said that she was contacted by the woman "on the date" who was seen in the first video.)

To her credit, Baker seemed to make the most of the totally bonkers situation. She filmed herself going to Tempura NYC, where she scored a pair of tequila shots. She then passed the drinks through the window to her travel companion and, after they finished, opened the window and put them back on the table. "Great service," she said.

Someone asked Baker if she was refunded for her stay and she shared a message that she allegedly received from the Airbnb host. "[A]pologies for taken [sic] some time to replay [sic] you, actually we were going to cancel your reservation as we had some room issues, however we managed to be able to host you," the email read. "I believe everything went and is going well during your stay and glad to know we were able to host you this time of year." According to the New York Post, she was later contacted by Airbnb and given a credit to use on a future booking through the platform.

So yeah, now you know which Airbnb to either avoid or seek out if you're looking for a place to stay in Manhattan. And if you eat at Tempura NYC, maybe don't (or do!) take the table in the back corner, beside the windows.