Image Credit: Marcel Ekkel

Peter often says that every hotel designer should spend at least two nights in every room he or she designs. That rule holds true for the bathroom–two days of showers, bathing, make-up applications and more. As you might expect, not all bathroom design innovations are a practical success. This month, Luxe Lavs contributors Angela Fairhurst and Natalie Compagno step away from the fashionable and the fabulous to share the hotel bathroom design elements that just aren’t working. 

Designers beware – here’s a checklist of what NOT to do when creating a luxury hotel bathroom.

Disaster 1: Flooding Showers

It’s awkward when you jump into a hotel shower and the idea of a sexy design is door-less. If you’re in a hurry and you’ve forgotten the bathmat, one quick move on the exit and that slip will really hurt…believe us, it’s happened. Flooring might be beautiful, but if it becomes life threatening when wet…think again.

Disaster 2: Too Tall Tubs

As you probably know by now, Luxe Lavs loves a great soaker. Even with long legs, some of the tubs we’ve attempted to climb take a bit of an effort to haul in to. We like to save our acrobatics for later. Let’s also make sure there’s enough water pressure and hot water to fill said tub in under 10 minutes.

Disaster 3: Too High Tech

We appreciate technology, but when there are so many attachments, parts or sophisticated electronics that even a teenager scratches their head and is confused by the intricacies, then it’s not a good idea. If it can’t be figured it out within a minute, then simply simplify.

Disaster 4: Hostile Lighting

The most important factor for women is lighting. No matter how many red-eye flights, long meetings or late nights, we want to look in the mirror and feel amazing…No fluorescents please.

Disaster 5: Hidden Toiletries

Make sure that the amenities aren’t placed where they are too hard to reach, or impossible to locate. If they’re hidden in some canister that doesn’t look like a canister or they’re tucked away behind the bottom shelf, then this is just not helpful. Rummaging through drawers and shelves to find one Q-Tip gets frustrating.

Disaster 6: Spill-Over Sinks

Some designers get fancy with dark granite slanted sinks. Guests should watch out. After getting dressed for the day don’t give a last look in the bathroom mirror. The sink will get you! Water collects at the edge and is virtually invisible.

Disaster 7: Shelf Space Skimping

We understand that real estate can be at a premium in places like Tokyo, NYC or Hong Kong but please don’t skimp on some basics. A small amount of shelf space to put a Dopp kit on, is a must. A wastebasket in the bathroom is simply polite. Electrical outlets should be visible and shouldn’t force guests to dry their hair precariously over wet areas.

Mark Twain once said, the difference between the right word and the wrong word is the difference between a lightening bug and lightning. For Luxe Lavs it’s all about the details that make a bathroom leap from average to amazing or from uninspired to awful.

Looking for more cool hotel bathroom amenities, check out the complete Luxe Lavs archives.

By Angela Fairhurst and Natalie Compagno for PeterGreenberg.com