What's the obsession with the size of bathrooms?
Nov 27th, 2007, 09:34 AM
#41
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I think it really depends. If I am by myself, what do I care. If I am on a romantic vacation with my wife, I might like to have a larger bathroom. With the kids sharing one bathroom, I certainly want a larger bathroom.
Nov 27th, 2007, 10:09 AM
#42
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We prefer a certain size bathroom, with at least one shelf to set things on. I take toiletry kits with hangers or loops that can go over the door knob just in case there isn't enough shelf space.
That said, I'd prefer a more well-designed bathroom than more space. LOVE a window in the bathroom. I'm still dreaming about a B&B near Avignon with a huge tub and a window overlooking a pine forest. I lit a candle and turned into a prune relaxing in that tub.
OTOH, we had a miniscule bath (and bedroom, actually) in Venice at the Locanda Novecento, and it was great because the decorating was exquisite. The shower door was made up of two semi-circular halves, and you couldn't use the toilet without opening the shower doors...but it was fine. To live in for a long time, forget it, but for a few days it was no problem.
That said, I'd prefer a more well-designed bathroom than more space. LOVE a window in the bathroom. I'm still dreaming about a B&B near Avignon with a huge tub and a window overlooking a pine forest. I lit a candle and turned into a prune relaxing in that tub.
OTOH, we had a miniscule bath (and bedroom, actually) in Venice at the Locanda Novecento, and it was great because the decorating was exquisite. The shower door was made up of two semi-circular halves, and you couldn't use the toilet without opening the shower doors...but it was fine. To live in for a long time, forget it, but for a few days it was no problem.
Nov 27th, 2007, 10:15 AM
#43
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Will Travel:
Sorry if I offended you or anyone else here by posting the Toto link above.. But just so I will know in future, what does a "work-friendly" website mean?
(The link is to a mainstream company, Toto.)
Sorry if I offended you or anyone else here by posting the Toto link above.. But just so I will know in future, what does a "work-friendly" website mean?
(The link is to a mainstream company, Toto.)
Nov 27th, 2007, 10:22 AM
#44
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Don't worry, I wasn't offended.
But what I mean by a work-friendly web site is one that won't cause offense or weird looks if your coworkers happen to walk past just as you are looking at the page. Think of people in an open-plan office
.
But what I mean by a work-friendly web site is one that won't cause offense or weird looks if your coworkers happen to walk past just as you are looking at the page. Think of people in an open-plan office
.
Nov 27th, 2007, 10:52 AM
#45
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I'm not a big person, 5'6" and at the time weighed about 120 (now that I am 53 weigh 135). Anyway, I stayed at a Best Western hotel in London at Queen's Gate or something like that and the bathroom was SO tiny that between the sink and shower stall there was about 6 inches of space and I had to turn sideways and suck in what little gut I had at the time to get into it. I thought to myself, "What if a larger person got this room?!?" I have some friends who would have had to go to the public baths I swear.
Nov 27th, 2007, 11:31 AM
#46
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I'm not "obsessed" about bathroom size, but do prefer enough counter space or a shelf above the sink to be able to leave my toothbrush and hairbrush out instead of having to put them away after each use. We found the differences in bathroom size between North American norms and what we discovered on our recent trip to Germany and Austria to be interesting. The biggest difference I noticed though, is cleanliness, at least in regards to mid-range accommodations; most hotel bathrooms that I've seen in Canada and the U.S. leave much to be desired in this regard, and what we experienced on this trip was that they were invariably spotless.
Our smallest bathroom experience was when we stayed at an older, very economically-priced guesthouse in the Bavarian Alps that had a bathroom that been installed in the corner of the room, and included a tiny shower stall and a toilet. The sink was in the room itself, which was reasonably large, although lacking space to spread out suitcases etc. The bathroom literally only measured about 2 feet by maybe 4 feet. Neither of us are big people, so it was fine, but there wasn't enough floor space in front of the toilet to be able to comfortably put your feet on the floor while seated - and only half the shower door slid open at once, so you couldn't put your feet in the shower stall either. I don't know how on earth the cleaner could get in there to scrub it all clean - but she did, it was spotless.
The shared bath for the other rooms was a "normal" sized bathroom (by Canadian standards) right across the hall from our room... we could have saved $$ on a room with a shared bath, but that is one travel experience I have not yet been able to convince hubby to try.
We were happy with our stay there - the location suited us, the room was clean and comfortable, and the hosts friendly. As this was our first trip to Europe, how are you gonna know what you get in different price ranges unless you check it out? On the rest of the trip though, we did spend a little more per night to get ourselves a little more space. A couple of places had bathrooms that were unexpectedly large and luxurious, which was a nice bonus, although we also did have the opposite experience, booking a supposed 4 star place in Salzburg, that had a very small bathroom in which the miniature tub/shower did not have a flat floor to stand on and no safety mat, so keeping one's balance in the shower was an issue, and it had only an partial & inadequate glass panel about eighteen inches wide to shield the bathroom from the shower spray, so that if you survived your shower without slipping, you were likely to do so once you stepped out onto the wet tile floor. That bothered me more than the small bathroom because I expected better for the price we paid.
Our smallest bathroom experience was when we stayed at an older, very economically-priced guesthouse in the Bavarian Alps that had a bathroom that been installed in the corner of the room, and included a tiny shower stall and a toilet. The sink was in the room itself, which was reasonably large, although lacking space to spread out suitcases etc. The bathroom literally only measured about 2 feet by maybe 4 feet. Neither of us are big people, so it was fine, but there wasn't enough floor space in front of the toilet to be able to comfortably put your feet on the floor while seated - and only half the shower door slid open at once, so you couldn't put your feet in the shower stall either. I don't know how on earth the cleaner could get in there to scrub it all clean - but she did, it was spotless.
The shared bath for the other rooms was a "normal" sized bathroom (by Canadian standards) right across the hall from our room... we could have saved $$ on a room with a shared bath, but that is one travel experience I have not yet been able to convince hubby to try.
We were happy with our stay there - the location suited us, the room was clean and comfortable, and the hosts friendly. As this was our first trip to Europe, how are you gonna know what you get in different price ranges unless you check it out? On the rest of the trip though, we did spend a little more per night to get ourselves a little more space. A couple of places had bathrooms that were unexpectedly large and luxurious, which was a nice bonus, although we also did have the opposite experience, booking a supposed 4 star place in Salzburg, that had a very small bathroom in which the miniature tub/shower did not have a flat floor to stand on and no safety mat, so keeping one's balance in the shower was an issue, and it had only an partial & inadequate glass panel about eighteen inches wide to shield the bathroom from the shower spray, so that if you survived your shower without slipping, you were likely to do so once you stepped out onto the wet tile floor. That bothered me more than the small bathroom because I expected better for the price we paid.
Nov 27th, 2007, 11:44 AM
#47
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Everybody,
Don't get me wrong, I love a larger bathroom as well, even when alone, but it's always amused me how to some people it seems to be a deal breaker.
Hey, I'd love to be able to stay at The Ritz and perhaps be able to have a party in my bathroom but for the small amount of time I spend in my bathroom or for that matter, my room...I don't care...I care about cleanliness and safety.
But this is very interesting to read the reasons why people care so much about the bathroom size, I've always wondered.
Keep posting, this is rather interesting.
Don't get me wrong, I love a larger bathroom as well, even when alone, but it's always amused me how to some people it seems to be a deal breaker.
Hey, I'd love to be able to stay at The Ritz and perhaps be able to have a party in my bathroom
but for the small amount of time I spend in my bathroom or for that matter, my room...I don't care...I care about cleanliness and safety.But this is very interesting to read the reasons why people care so much about the bathroom size, I've always wondered.
Keep posting, this is rather interesting.
Nov 27th, 2007, 12:04 PM
#48
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Question...do people adjust their requirements based on the location?
I went to Ghana West Africa in 2005. Based on some of the posts, I will guess it will not be on your lists of places to go Basic, very basic washrooms. Turkey would be another country that could be challenging.
I went to Ghana West Africa in 2005. Based on some of the posts, I will guess it will not be on your lists of places to go
Basic, very basic washrooms. Turkey would be another country that could be challenging.
Nov 27th, 2007, 12:10 PM
#49
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It's nice to have a shower big enough so that if you drop the bar of soap, you don't have to get out and then reach for it. A Parisien friend of mine had a shower so small until it was very difficult to shower in. And she owned a "big" 2 and a half story apartment. But the bathrooms were beyond clostophobic. Happy Travels!
Nov 27th, 2007, 12:12 PM
#50
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In Florence, we had a room with the toilet behind a flimsy room divider type of thing in the room so you could see over the top. I made SO leave the room before use - some things I'm doing, I like to be on my own.
Have also had a tiny bathroom in Italy where the whole room got wet if you had a shower so the towels and everything else had to be outside the room.
At a B&B in London without our own toilet, the shower was in a fold-down enclosure in the wall in the room. I expected it to flood but it never did.
Have also had a tiny bathroom in Italy where the whole room got wet if you had a shower so the towels and everything else had to be outside the room.
At a B&B in London without our own toilet, the shower was in a fold-down enclosure in the wall in the room. I expected it to flood but it never did.
Nov 27th, 2007, 12:14 PM
#51
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Michel, I suspect some people might not go to Ghana, unless they stayed in a place like this:
http://www.crestaroyale.com/the_hotel/default.asp
Then the bathrooms would not be a concern!
If a location is enticing enough, which at the moment Ghana is not for me, I will certainly suffer through non-western bathrooms.
http://www.crestaroyale.com/the_hotel/default.asp
Then the bathrooms would not be a concern!
If a location is enticing enough, which at the moment Ghana is not for me, I will certainly suffer through non-western bathrooms.
Nov 27th, 2007, 12:14 PM
#52
Hi, lyb,
as usual, Ira's got it right. when we visited the US for the first time, we were amazed at the size of the hotel bathrooms.
the 2nd time we visited, the shower cubicle in the family bathroom in our rented apartment was big enough for a reasonably sized party!
when that's what you're used to, some european bathrooms much seem tiny. add that to the appalling design, apparently by people who have never had to use a bathroom for its normal purposes, and it's no wonder US travellers get fed up.
for once, I'm with them.
regards, ann
as usual, Ira's got it right. when we visited the US for the first time, we were amazed at the size of the hotel bathrooms.
the 2nd time we visited, the shower cubicle in the family bathroom in our rented apartment was big enough for a reasonably sized party!
when that's what you're used to, some european bathrooms much seem tiny. add that to the appalling design, apparently by people who have never had to use a bathroom for its normal purposes, and it's no wonder US travellers get fed up.
for once, I'm with them.
regards, ann
Nov 27th, 2007, 12:16 PM
#53
and while i think of it, who invented the shower curtain? what a useless thing it is, the shower curtain that can't prevent the water spraying outside the cublicle, and sticks to you while you're showering.
If only hotel booking sites would tell you if the shower's got a curtain or a screen. I know where I'd be staying.
regards, ann
If only hotel booking sites would tell you if the shower's got a curtain or a screen. I know where I'd be staying.
regards, ann
Nov 27th, 2007, 12:45 PM
#55
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>..whether or not size matters will remain forever in the limbo of unanswered questions...
As I've mentioned before; some people (mostly men) say "no", and some people (mostly women) say "yes".
>.. it is practically impossible to even wash you hair (since there is no fixed shower head - but just a snake/hose with tiny shower attachment).
Ummmmmmmmm. One might consider holding the shower over one's head to wet the hair, soaping the hair, and then rinsing as in step 1.
My Lady Wife and I lived on a boat for 15 years.
She was happy staying at any hotel that had a flush toilet.
After about 5 years of our sojourn, I had occasion to visit my children at the family homestead. I recall how amazed I was that I could extend my arms in the downstairs powder room and not touch the walls.
No one needs a 9 x 9 sq ft WC.
As I've mentioned before; some people (mostly men) say "no", and some people (mostly women) say "yes".
>.. it is practically impossible to even wash you hair (since there is no fixed shower head - but just a snake/hose with tiny shower attachment).
Ummmmmmmmm. One might consider holding the shower over one's head to wet the hair, soaping the hair, and then rinsing as in step 1.
My Lady Wife and I lived on a boat for 15 years.
She was happy staying at any hotel that had a flush toilet.
After about 5 years of our sojourn, I had occasion to visit my children at the family homestead. I recall how amazed I was that I could extend my arms in the downstairs powder room and not touch the walls.
No one needs a 9 x 9 sq ft WC.
Nov 27th, 2007, 01:32 PM
#58
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So...I would be right in assuming that a few/many/most Fodorites would not go to a country if the bathrooms were rustically basic?
Would you forego the experience of another country if you had to rough it?
I've decided I would not (after my first trip to Africa). But I do expect to have a bed to sleep on.
Would you forego the experience of another country if you had to rough it?
I've decided I would not (after my first trip to Africa). But I do expect to have a bed to sleep on.
Nov 27th, 2007, 02:46 PM
#60
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"<i>So...I would be right in assuming that a few/many/most Fodorites would not go to a country if the bathrooms were rustically basic?"</i>
Not necessarily. At my age, I want comfort. My roughing it days are hopefully behind me but that sure wouldn't apply to lots of other Fodorites.
Bathroom size isn't that big a deal to me but I usually travel alone. I read on a cruise board once that the showers onboard were so small that to bathe you had to lather the walls, get in & spin around.
Not necessarily. At my age, I want comfort. My roughing it days are hopefully behind me but that sure wouldn't apply to lots of other Fodorites.
Bathroom size isn't that big a deal to me but I usually travel alone. I read on a cruise board once that the showers onboard were so small that to bathe you had to lather the walls, get in & spin around.
