Regarding privacy issues in hotel bathrooms
In recent years, in the hotel industry, lack of privacy regarding bathroom design has become a major issue among domestic and international travelers.
For example, even if lovers who started dating a few months ago go on a weekend trip and stay at a hotel with good conditions such as location, food, and interior decoration, they are often confused by the design that forces intimacy the moment they enter the room.
Especially if the toilet is installed in a small space separated by a partition and only separated by a thin glass plate, it is inevitable that the user's figure and feet will be easily visible even if the toilet is frosted.
Furthermore, the issue of sound cannot be ignored.
I myself have come across extremely strange bathroom designs in hotels of all price ranges.
For example, even though the bathroom is for a family, the bathtub is completely visible from the room, blinds are installed outside the bathroom window, and sliding doors are used with lots of gaps.There are too many examples to mention.
Glass bathrooms are becoming more common in hotels around the world, but a search on review sites and travel forums reveals that many travelers have similar complaints.
In response to this situation, a hotel search site called ``Bringback Doors'' was launched.
This site provides a database that specifies whether a room has a bathroom with a door, making it a valuable resource for travelers who value their privacy.
It was launched in late 2023 by Sadie Rowell, an American marketer living in Europe, and was inspired by her experience with strange bathroom layouts over many years of travel.
In particular, when he visited London with his father in 2024, he was shocked to find that the twin room had a bathroom with no door, and he became keenly aware of the need for a system that allows people to check in advance.
Bringback Doors divides rooms into several categories and clearly indicates the degree of privacy.
The worst example is a guest room where, ``If you are staying with someone who is reluctant to use the restroom nearby, one person needs to go out to the lobby while the other uses the restroom.''
Also, in the "50% privacy" category, although there are walls, the door is made of glass, and it is said that some degree of privacy can be ensured by hanging towels, etc.
Furthermore, it has been pointed out that in the "no door" category, even if visual privacy is maintained, other privacy cannot be expected because sounds and smells leak outside.
Of course, there are situations where an open bathroom is appropriate.
For example, in a spacious suite in a tropical resort, a bathtub or shower located in one corner of the room may be attractive.
However, when using a twin room with colleagues on a business trip, a layout that does not ensure privacy can be a big problem.
When it comes to hotel bathroom design, award-winning designer Paula O'Callaghan recalls seeing the first frosted glass bathroom at the Park Hyatt Tokyo about 30 years ago, and how its novelty caused a stir in the industry at the time.
According to her, frosted glass varies in transparency and thickness, and there are multiple ways to deal with sound and ventilation issues.
Regarding the unusual bathroom designs that have become a hot topic online in recent years, it is pointed out that the original intention may have been lost in the interpretation and repetition of the design.
Also, while an open design is not appropriate if the bathroom is small, it is understandable that it is chosen because they do not want to make it feel cramped.
However, O'Callaghan stresses that there are rules to follow when it comes to bathrooms, and points out that toilets should not be installed in full view.
Currently, there is a positive trend among hotel management companies in major tourist destinations around the world towards open bathrooms, but there is a particularly noticeable movement among lifestyle brands to place bathtubs as part of guest rooms.
These trends have become even bolder over the past 30 years, and many designers are surprised by the strength of the backlash.
In my experience, it is rare to encounter extreme bathroom designs in historic hotels, even after extensive renovations.
O'Callaghan also says that when designing hotels in historic buildings, he takes into account the opinions of preservation committees and management, and rarely makes drastic changes to the layout.
While hotels may not have had air conditioning in the past, bathrooms always had doors, so designers seeking to recreate the atmosphere of the Golden Age of Travel tend to focus on traditional elements.
However, we don't always have the opportunity or budget to stay in historic luxury hotels or spacious rooms.
Thus, services like Bringback Doors are sure to become increasingly important for travelers seeking absolute privacy.
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