Replacement of products in a like-for-like room footprint is routine but with guests expecting a more sensual experience from their hotel room, thinking beyond standard bathroom design is now a priority.

Guest demand is driving hoteliers to specify a higher level of product in en suite bathrooms. This has produced some interesting developments in the evolution of the hotel bathroom, which is becoming a key selling point in today’s competitive market.

Bathrooms are increasingly becoming a feature of hotel design with guests appreciating and demanding larger bathrooms which are perceived as more luxurious. Such is the significance of the bathroom within hotel design, that in a move which could initially be perceived as commercial suicide, some hoteliers are now reducing the number of bedrooms in order to increase bathroom size and give the visitor the ultimate bathing experience.

This move ensures needs are met for both weekday business traffic requiring state-of-the-art showering and weekend leisure trade where experiential bathing is important. Both of which cannot be catered for within a standard en suite area.

Guests and hoteliers alike expect bathroom products that are designed to perform day-in, day-out, but issues and constraints with existing space and hot water systems can affect this end goal. Product performance may be determined by the availability of an adequate hot water supply and appropriate water pressure this applies particularly to high powered showers and whirlpool baths. Kohler has the expertise to advise on boiler and pipework requirements to give the water system in an existing property the capability of a new build.

Space a major issue, particularly where luxury is the byword. Clever use of boxing and cavity walls can conceal pipework, giving clean lines that maximise the visual space. They also create the opportunity for built-in shelves and alcoves, adding valuable focal points and storage.

AutoCAD blocks are available for all Kohler products, making accurate planning easy. Additionally, Kohler can offer a consultancy service to designers to help validate bathroom space usage and product specification.

Guests enjoy the experience of a wet room in their hotel as it evokes a sense of luxury and space. To create a true streamlined wet room look some depth is required between the floors to accommodate the waste. This needs to be planned for but there are alternative options if space doesn’t allow such as low profile shower trays which sit almost flush to the floor and create the same effect.

Kohler can offer real breadth of product choice and design flexibility with its varied product range and the design allows the specifier to select products which suit the requirements and complement existing building styles.

Kohler has worked on a breadth of hotel specification projects, from boutique hotels to major chains and its Project Support team provides a consultancy service to aid space planning and product specification for its market leading UK brands: Kohler, Mira, Daryl and Rada. Varying specification needs can often involve juggling a number of contacts at different organisations but Kohler makes things easier with its dedicated contract specification team which offers a single contact point for advice, sales and technical information.