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Bathroom with a view? The Udaivilas at Udaipur provides truly luxurious bath moments

From the merely functional, bathrooms are now being transformed into chic spaces that imitate spas, with technological innovations adding that extra fillip, finds Sapna Kulshrestha.

The current trend in hospitality is to transform the guestroom bath into a chic space that could almost be considered similar to a spa experience. This has presented hotel designers an opportunity to create unique design expressions, sometimes as interesting extensions of the bedroom.

Even mainstream hotel chains, typically seen as design-conservative, are now increasingly installing open bathrooms to contemporise their look. Interior designer Menka Sehgal, Adlakha & Associates, says: “I prefer a big glass window between guest room and bath, or having the bathroom situated on the outside wall, for excellent views.”

An innovative product introduced in hospitality for this purpose is the ‘Switchlight privacy glass’; when switched ‘on’ the glass panel is transparent, and when ’off’, the panel is opaque. Further, by installing the product in a design pattern in the room, the window appears as a piece of art, until it is in use.

Many hotels are now installing oversized shower stalls complete with silicon-free real-glass enclosures to create a sense of space, light, and a mood of relaxation, and eliminating bathtubs altogether in certain category guest rooms.

Rachita Sood, housekeeping manager, Courtyard by Marriott Pune Hinjewadi, says: “We do not have bath tubs in our rooms (only in the suites), since most of our clientele are business people who are always on the go. Instead, in the shower cubicle, we have a rain shower head, hand shower, and spout for a relaxing and rejuvenating feel.”

Guests want options that will give them a fuller showering experience, with water hitting them from multiple angles and heights. This has led to an increased interest in shower systems with body sprays and multiple showerheads. Architect Maanu Shetty says: “Large showers continue to be popular because the larger footprint now allows for more elaborate shower systems, with ceiling-mounted showerheads, body sprays, and hand showers with slide bar systems.”

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Technology too is playing a critical role in this sphere as the idea of customisation has now entered bathrooms. DTV-II, the latest showering product launched in India by Kohler features a fully integrated, multi-sensory experience that wraps four elements - water, sound, light, and steam - together, in a plug-n-play system. Customers can incorporate music from their own play list, with lights that move and change colours during a shower, with six presets including WaterTile Ambient Rain.

According to Sharad Mathur, managing director, Kohler India Corp. Pvt. Ltd: “With the DTV II showering system one can create a complete spa environment in the bathroom.”

Undoubtedly, digital shower systems are emerging as the next big thing in luxury showers. These systems offer many other features including one-touch control, showering presets, and remote and multimedia control. For instance, Moen’s ioDigital offers digital command of temperature and flow, with four custom presets and one-touch activation. An optional remote control allows the user to turn on the shower from across the room.

Likewise SteamSuite, such as in the premier rooms of The Oberoi Bangalore, is proving to be an exceptional amenity and a great upgrade and revenue builder for the hotel. These units offer luxury and health benefits and can incorporate body jet massage, hydro-massage, and chromatherapy. Mathew Job, vice president and managing director, Grohe India Pvt. Ltd says: “With the Grohetherm range of thermostats, guest can preset exact temperature and flow. Grohe Turbostat technology ensures reaction to changes in incoming water temperature within 0.3 sec, while the Grohe CoolTouch technology keeps the outer surface of the thermostat at a temperature lesser than that of the water heat.”

In some cases, the tub becomes the centre point of the room, and the orientation is such that the guest is able to look out through a glass wall or window to enjoy the view, sometimes right across the bedroom.

Says R. V. Rao, executive housekeeper, Sahara Star, Mumbai: “The spacious setting of the tub and a large glass partition, offer the perfect excuse to enjoy a soothing bath.” The choices in bathtubs are also changing.

Luxury guest baths feature oversized jetted soaking tubs for two, which are hugely popular with hotel guests. The premier lake view rooms at the Oberoi Udaivilas offer bathrooms with Victorian style freestanding bathtubs overlooking a private walled courtyard.

Says Namrata Marwah, executive housekeeper, The Leela Palace Kempinski, Udaipur: “Our suites come with jacuzzi fitted bathtubs in keeping with the resort concept of the hotel.”