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Ryugyong Hotel Spotted on Google Earth

April 7, 2006 at 3:32 PM | 0 Comments

[Publisher's note: dzot, a hotel maven with tenure around these parts, fondly recalls his first encounter with us, which involved our 2004 Best Hotel Villain. Enjoy.]

The first time I ever visited HotelChatter was when another site linked to this post about the surreally eerie Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea.

DamnIntersting.com has posted even more info about this travesty.

The hotel, which was once found on city maps before the construction even began, has now been completely stricken from the official maps. Tour guides usually claim not to know where it is. Either a majority of the country is in a state of denial about the whole thing, or they avoid the subject for fear of reprisal. Since the government's embarrassing monument is visible from practically every point in the city, it's most likely the latter.

In the comments someone provided a link to this striking sat photo from Google Earth.

Bad as it is, at least they can claim as many guests as Las Ramblas.

Related Stories:
·   2004 Awards: Best Villain [HotelChatter]
·   Ryugyong Hotel: North Korea's Not So Secret Hideout [HotelChatter]