Hotel Bathroom Door Dilemma: Privacy Concerns Over Trendy Designs
After a long flight, you check into your hotel with your travel companion and head straight to your room, eager for a refreshing shower. However, upon unlocking the door, you discover the establishment has embraced a particular interior design trend that directly impacts the bathroom. Rather than the classic, solid wooden door that has served buildings reliably for centuries, many hotels are now installing alternatives that are sparking considerable controversy among guests.
The Rise of Alternative Bathroom Partitions
According to reports, numerous establishments are opting for sliding barn doors, entire glass panels—sometimes frosted, sometimes completely transparent—or even curtains to partition the bathroom from the main sleeping area. While these choices might appeal aesthetically to some, a growing number of travellers are taking issue with the significant lack of privacy they afford. Furthermore, these designs often prove unsuitable for containing unpleasant odours or muffling sounds, creating an uncomfortable environment.
Traveller Outcry on Social Media
The frustration has boiled over onto platforms like Reddit and TikTok. One disgruntled holidaymaker fumed on Reddit, 'I don't know who keeps approving this. NO ONE wants a transparent or frosted bathroom window so my partner sees me using the bathroom.' They highlighted the practical problem of light intrusion when a partner uses the facilities during the evening.
Another traveller echoed these sentiments, complaining about barn doors with large gaps. 'Or a barn door with a massive gap so they hear and smell everything. Even as a couple travelling together, it's uncomfortable,' they continued. On TikTok, user @wyettsworld issued a direct plea to the industry: 'Not a curtain, not a sliding door, not a barn door... no we want doors on the bathroom!'
A particularly stark example was shared by Kathi on TikTok (@lifeofkaethe), who found herself in a hotel room with a completely see-through glass bathroom door. She captioned her video, 'Someone didn’t think this through,' encapsulating the bewilderment many feel.
A Campaign for Change: Bring Back Doors
The issue has become so prevalent that it has spurred a formal campaign. The website 'bringbackdoors.com' has been established, advocating for traveller privacy. 'You deserve privacy when you travel. You deserve real bathroom doors,' the site declares. It even features curated lists of 'doorless hotels' and 'hotels with doors' to help privacy-conscious travellers make informed booking decisions.
The campaign's creator, Sadie Lowell, stated in a TikTok video, 'I don't know about you, but I refuse to accept these open concept glass door bathrooms that the hotel industry is falling in love with.' She noted the trend's global reach, adding, 'They're on every continent in every country, at all price points.'
Why Hotels Are Making the Switch
Despite the guest backlash, there are several reasons why hotels worldwide are leaning into these alternative designs. Interior designer Jon de la Cruz, who has worked on hotels and restaurants, explained the practical rationale to House Beautiful. 'From a design perspective, there can be practical reasons why hotels choose glass doors or barn-style doors... primarily related to space efficiency,' he said.
These doors can also enhance a room's overall ambiance. Designer Sarah Stacey pointed out their utility in older buildings: 'It also comes up in historic buildings, where you may not be able to add the kind of lighting, ventilation, or electrical you would ideally want... so the design borrows light from the bedroom area to keep the bathroom from feeling like a dark box.'
Finally, there is a significant economic factor. Simpler door types like barn or glass doors are often easier and more cost-effective to produce in large quantities, allowing hotels to achieve savings on construction and refurbishment projects.
The debate highlights a clear clash between modern interior design trends and fundamental guest expectations for privacy and comfort. As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, this issue over bathroom doors represents a significant point of contention that many travellers hope will lead to a more thoughtful approach to room design.
