From playing a utilitarian role to an indulgent spa-like environment, bathrooms in
hotels have undergone a makeover. BY MINI REBEIRO
Heated limestone floors, rain shower with a powerful, muscle-relaxing stream, an assortment of water pressures, sensor-controlled washbasin taps, automatic toilet seats. These are what lavish hotel bathrooms comprise of today.
A bathroom may spell comfort, convenience and hygiene. Modern travellers with evolved tastes and lifestyle expectations, seek bathrooms that are an oasis of luxury. That is why hotels are paying keen attention to bathrooms and are revamping them as per international standards of aesthetics and technology. Hotel bathrooms have, thus, for over the years, metamorphosed into a multi-functional space, which is often a haven of relaxation. Tranquillity and elegance are what guests seek and hotels strive to provide that and more.
Bathrooms have, in fact, become one of the key focus areas that differentiate regular hotels, from the best-in-class ones. After all a bathroom is an extension of the hotel’s identity and conveys how upscale it is. Sandeep Karmalkar, executive housekeeper, Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa, elaborates, “When it comes to bathrooms, almost all our guest bathrooms are kept as spacious as the rooms. We pay attention to the comfort level of our guests and make sure that each product used contributes to their wellbeing. The colour palette for everything like marbles or tiles used for the flooring and walls should be soothing. The bathtub, toilet, shower, vanity counter should be in sync and compliment the overall look and feel. Bathrooms need to be clutter-free yet able to offer a range of things.”
Traditional designs and a mixture of classic forms and modern details, represent the latest bathroom trends. Harinder Kishore, executive housekeeper, The Leela Ambience, Gurgaon, explains, “Most visible design changes are size and openness, making it an integral part of the room. The reason for this was also not to take bathroom as a separate part of the hotel guest room. With enhancement of an open design, a larger visual effect is given to the room, making it look bigger.”
Bhuvan Chandra, housekeeping manager, Hyatt Ahmedabad, agrees. “Bathrooms are an important part in the rooms. They offer a personal retreat for many people after a long day. Modern bathrooms feature vibrant colours, varied pieces of furniture and remarkable designs.” A bathroom becoming a living area, with practical, attractive designs to ensure maximum comfort and storage to ensure a tidy and organised space, is clearly a trend on the rise. Perhaps that is why bathroom furniture is gaining importance.
Asutosh Shah, managing director, Duravit India, states, “Bathroom furniture that blends perfectly with its surroundings is increasingly popular. Regarding functionality and ambience, modern bathrooms should think beyond the obvious mirror cabinet. Stylish solutions including vanity units below the basin, consoles with incorporated drawers, wall cupboards, shelving, mobile storage units on casters and even storage under the bathtub are required. Sound systems and LED technology integrated into the furniture ensure that the bathroom is as luxurious and comfortable as any other living space.”
Hotels, too, are making the most of the new product offerings in terms of bathroom furniture to value-add to their guests. “Furniture in the bathroom not only makes the usage easy, but also gives storage space with cabinets, which is now the most important part of bathroom. Each bathroom needs a self-contained storage solution to make up for small space in the hotel room for the guests. Hyatt Ahmedabad offers rich and best of bathroom amenities and fittings, storage spaces that are convenient and comfortable for the guests to use,” reveals Chandra.
And clearly there is a lot to choose from. Serhan Ateş Yağız, India country manager, Eczacıbaşı Building Products Division, says, “With the evolution of diversity in bathroom furniture, one can choose from a variety of designs. When talking about arranging bathrooms, most people only think about the tiles, mirrors, sinks and other painting and ceramic elements, which make up only a small part of the design. What really gives every bathroom its final form and appearance, and makes it functional and aesthetic, is good quality and well- selected bathroom furniture.”
If the right bathroom furniture helps to give the impression of space and openess, the right accessories spell indulgence for the guest and make him feel pampered. Pratik Gandhi, proprietor, Under The Roof, Mumbai, says candidly, “Bath tubs, basins, shower accessories, faucets, pebbles, tiles, WCs are the advanced range of bathroom solutions. Bathrooms are the spaces that cannot get a makeover very often and hence it is important to choose the items and designs wisely that won’t get outdated easily.”
The right product or accessory can work magic in the bathroom. The new GROHE SPA F-digital Deluxe shower products turn the bathroom into an exclusive private spa – an experience that stimulates all the senses. F-digital Deluxe fills the shower with coloured light for chromo therapy treatment, with pleasant steam for cleansing the skin and with music, all at the same time. From energising the body in the morning to relaxing the mind after a busy day – the flexible choice of head and side showers, light and sound, as well as steam allow for a wide range of personalised combinations.
And the product offerings are getting only better. The new V-Care range of shower toilets from VitrA, is made with a specially designed nozzle spray that allows the user to regulate the water as desired. V-Care can be used via a remote control which is very easy to use and helps in controlling features like nozzle position, water pressure and temperature of the water and seat. Offering elegant designs with advance technology, this range virtually suits any kind of bathroom.
Kajaria Ceramics has launched the Kerovit range of faucets. The collection includes lavatory faucets, shower components and bath fittings that use innovative valve and trim options. The faucets are crafted with advanced international technology and employ high-quality chrome finish. Rishi Kajaria, joint managing director – Kajaria Ceramics Ltd, adds, “Today design and product usage are the key drivers for consumer preference towards any faucet range. Keeping this in mind, we created Kerovit, for the comfort and convenience of consumers. The range is unique in style, design and features.”
Shah of Duravit adds, “We have introduced an audio system which is integrated invisibly in the mirror cabinet. It provides a first-class sound quality to the bath and belongs to the latest technical highlights of Duravit. Even the toilet today is more than just a standard toilet: the SensoWash shower-toilet seat designed by Philippe Starck features pioneering technology. A stainless steel spray arm with three shower types performs the function of a bidet.”
Karmalkar opines, “Bathrooms have a huge impact on the overall guest feel and experience of stay and it also helps them decide on their next visit to the same hotel. We have gone a step further in providing luxury to our guest by featuring an outdoor shower and open air spa which gives us an opportunity to bring the spa in to their room.”
While the latest technology-based accessories are being incorporated by hotels, they are still concerned about proper after sales service and maintenace. Kishore quips, “Whenever we select a brand, we need to see the quality and after sales services of the company. Kohler, Hans, Grohe, Roca, are preferred for bathroom accessories. TOTO is another great brand that we use.”
At Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar Resort & Spa, services of a leading bathroom accessories company of Japan and America have been availed of. The accessories brands are TOTO and KOHLER. The bath tub is from Villeroy and Boch and easily the most luxurious spot in the guest bathroom.
Tiles are generally used for functional and decorative reasons. Hyatt Ahmedabad prefers Marbonite tiles and Italian Serpeggiante marble for walls and Perlato Sicilia Italian Marble for the bathroom floors.
Chandra of Hyatt Ahmedabad explains, “Beside sanitary ware, ceramic tiles are the main part of the bathroom, to which we pay attention when decorating. We work on the harmony of colours, patterns and designs. From an aesthetic point of view, the colour of the bathroom tiles can help create a unique look. Tiles are used to create the desired ambience.
Maximum space in the bathroom is covered by tiles or marble or granite, and to keep the bathroom beautiful for years, it is very important to be selective while choosing the right tiles for flooring and other surfaces with anti-skid protection, as one of the key safety features in any bathroom.”
Hotels are obviously trying to seamlessly blend sustainability and luxury in their choice of materials, without compromising on the products used for their guests. To pamper their guests, hotels have ensured that the bathroom today, is a combination of comfort, aesthetics and practical elements, yet, spells luxury all the way.
