A Room With A View

In March of 1999, the Guinness Book of Recordscaused a devastating affect on tourism for Hotel
bestowed upon Hotel Everest View the title of HighestEverest View. Very few tourists would endure the
Placed Hotel in the World. This hotel is situated 13,000three-day hike up the mountainside to enjoy the
ft (3,964 m) above sea level in Sagarmatha Nationalamenities of the hotel. Business declined rapidly and left
Park in the Southern Khumbu region of Nepal. With itsthe facility bare. Since than, the Shyangboche airstrip
luxurious accommodations, guests stay overlooking thehas reopened to transport gear and supplies to Mount
Himalayan peaks and Mt. Everest.Everest. Tourists that are accustomed to the altitude
A Japanese construction company, Trans Himalayanfly into Shyangboche airstrip to visit the Hotel Everest
Tours Ltd, built the Hotel Everest View in 1968. InView.
October of 1973, the hotel opened its doors for theTourists still climb up the mountainside from Namche
first time. The hotel was built with the intentions ofBazaar, in the Himalayas, to stay at Hotel Everest
attracting wealthy Japanese tourists seeking luxuriousView. Although the menu has changed from ravishing
getaways that offered a breathtaking view of Mt.meals to light food and hot and cold beverages, this
Everest. In order to accommodate tourists, theJapanese run establishment's accommodations are still
Shyangboche airstrip was built to receive private plansbreathtaking. For a reasonable rate ($170-$270 per
and helicopters.night), guests can enjoy a luxurious room overlooking
Unfortunately, the Japanese tourists encounteredthe surrounding peaks.
some difficulties adjusting from a lower altitude toHotel Everest View is staffed with Sherpa people,
10,000 ft above sea level. Tourists flying into thewho are natives to the Mt. Everest region. 'Om mani
Shyangboche airstrip from Japan experienced horriblepadme hum', a Tibetan Buddhist mantra, is inscribed on
motion sickness, including nausea and vomiting. Eventhe hotel interior walls. These ancient stone carvings
though Hotel Everest View offered a beautiful view ofserve as a constant reminder of the Sherpas' deep
the surrounding peaks and high-qualityreligious beliefs. A Sherpa tour guide is on hand for
accommodations, guests were unable to enjoyguests.
themselves.Plane or helicopter charters are available for guests
Hotel management tried desperately to resolve thethat desire a more direct flight to the hotel. Guests
issue by supplying guests with oxygen tanks, but themay also take advantage of a 50 minute flight over
problem still remained. It was after several deathsShyangboche from Kathmandu and walk 45-minutes
were reported that the government finally took actionup the mountain trail to Hotel Everest View.
and forced the Shyangboche airstrip to shut down,Reservations and transportation can be arranged
leaving Japanese tourists to fly into Lukla (9,200 ft) andthrough:
walk three-days up the mountainside.Hotel Everest View
Elimination of chartered flights into Shyangboche airstripP.O.