Statement baths – a must for a top quality bathroom

Did you know that the average domestic bathroom is only slightly larger than a double bed? As a result, there are limits on what can be installed. A toilet and basin are of course essential, but many people who would love to have a separate shower enclosure and bath have to compromise with an over bath shower and some are dispensing with the bath altogether in favour of a more spacious walk-in shower. In addition, few people have time in the day for a bath as our lives have become increasingly busy. A quick five minutes in the shower has replaced soaking in the tub, which is now seen as something of an indulgence. With this in mind some of our boutique hotel customers have created bathrooms that, in terms of the products installed and the layout of the room, lift the bathroom way beyond mere function. Instead, these rooms tap into the idea of the bath as a luxury, somewhere to relax and unwind, a cosy haven in which to enjoy an indulgent pampering session. Hotel guests love these bathrooms as they provide something they no longer have at home. Taking time to enjoy a good long soak has become an important element in the weekend break, as much a part of the whole hotel experience as spending time in the bar or enjoying a fine dinner. The key item in the indulgent bathroom is of course the bath. This should make a bold statement either in terms of its shape, size or colour. If space allows, position the bath in the middle of the room. The message you want to send to your guests is “treat yourself and try me”. Add good quality towels, a dressing gown and branded toiletries and you have the perfect recipe for a satisfying soak. Cast-iron baths are a sound investment as they never go out of fashion and they are extremely durable. They also have the advantage that the exterior can be painted to match the décor so that when next you refurbish the bathroom you can update the look of the bath too. Cast-iron baths on claw feet are a timeless classic that work well in a traditional setting. For a more contemporary look, try mounting the bath on wooden sleepers as Hotel du Vin has done at its Brighton, Harrogate and Henley hotels. Of course, installing a freestanding twin-ended bath is not always easy, as space in the bathroom is often limited, but there is a solution. The Fox & Anchor and Highroad House, two very different London establishments, have both placed cast-iron baths in bedrooms, freeing up space in the bathrooms for walk-in showers. At the Fox & Anchor, the baths were painted with the pub logo, at Highroad House the baths were painted white in keeping with the minimal theme of the bedrooms. As part of the whole boutique experience, a great bathroom can be an important selling point for hotels. Instant update If there isn’t the budget for a full refurbishment there are still things you can do to improve your bathroom. You only need glance through the comments on TripAdvisor to see how important bathrooms are to hotel guests. They love them when the cleanliness and style meets their often high expectations, but guests are also very quick to criticise if the bathroom is poor quality or out-of-date. Completely refurbishing your bathrooms is obviously a costly and disruptive process, but there are a few things you can do to update what you already have. The easiest items to replace are taps. Shiny new taps will give any bathroom an instant facelift. Choose the taps to suit the rest of your décor, so minimal chrome fittings for a contemporary bathroom or traditional crosshead designs for a more classic look. Taps and shower fittings are the most engineered element in the bathroom so we always advise customers to buy the best they can afford. With taps you really do get what you pay for so it is advisable to invest in the best quality as they will not only keep their lustre longer but will function better too. Another quick fix is a new basin. The easiest option here is to replace like-for-like. So, if you have countertop basins or pedestal basins buy the same again, but choose something that makes a visual impact in the bathroom. In a modern bathroom perhaps opt for a striking square shaped bowl that sits on the counter, or in a traditional setting – a handsome Edwardian style pedestal. Console basins are an attractive alternative. Choose a basin that sits on a metal stand, as this also provides somewhere to hang a towel. Twin basins are becoming increasingly popular so if space allows, why not position two basins side-by-side. If space is limited, a domino style basin takes up less space than two individual basins but still has the luxury of two bowls. If there is nothing wrong with the toilets there is no need to replace them, but you can update them with a smart new seat. Further easy fit accessory options include installing a magnifying shaving mirror (a considerate touch that your guests are bound to appreciate) and further matching accessories such as hooks for towels and dressing gowns, bin, toilet roll holder or a liquid soap dispenser. These are all little touches but they add up to give your bathroom flair. Howard Birch is director of Aston Matthews a specialist bathroom retailer based in Islington, London. This feature first appeared in the April 2014 issue of Hotel Owner.