Hotel Hassles: When Fancy Design Gets in the Way of a Good Night's Sleep (and Shower!)

Picture this: you’ve just landed after a long, tiring flight. All you want is to sink into a comfy bed in your hotel room and unwind. But as you step inside, you’re met with a series of puzzling design choices that leave you scratching your head instead of sighing in relief.

We’ve all been there. Hotels are constantly trying to outdo each other with sleek, modern design. But sometimes, that quest for style comes at the expense of functionality and guest comfort.

I recently stayed at a hotel that seemed to have a real thing for frosted glass. It looked cool in the lobby photos, but the reality was a bathroom door that offered zero privacy. Imagine trying to brush your teeth while your silhouette entertains your travel companion — not exactly relaxing!

This experience got me thinking about all the other hotel design trends that might look good on an Instagram post but leave you feeling frustrated on your trip. So, I decided to delve deeper and see what other common complaints travelers have encountered.

From Mystery Switches to Soggy Bathrooms: The Top Hotel Design Fails

My hunch was right. After talking to fellow travelers and scouring online forums, I discovered a whole list of design elements that seem more focused on impressing design critics than making guests feel comfortable. Here are some of the top offenders:

• Light Switch Shenanigans: Have you ever fumbled around in the dark, desperately trying to find the light switch after a long day of sightseeing? Apparently, I’m not alone. Many travelers complain about overly complex lighting controls with cryptic symbols and buttons that make turning on a light feel like solving a puzzle.

• The Great Glass Bathroom Debate: Frosted glass bathroom doors are a major point of contention. While some might find them vaguely artsy, most travelers prioritize privacy. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to worry about someone seeing their shadow while they’re getting ready.

• The Hookless Hangout: This one seems like a basic oversight. Imagine walking into a steamy bathroom after a shower, only to find there’s nowhere to hang your wet towel. The struggle is real, and it’s easily avoidable with a few well-placed hooks.

• Half-Hearted Showers: Hotels with showers that have flimsy half-glass doors are a recipe for disaster. These doors do a terrible job of containing water spray, leaving you with a wet bathroom floor and a potential slipping hazard.

• The Rise (and Fall) of the In-Room Tablet: These tablets were supposed to be the wave of the future, allowing you to control everything from the lights to the thermostat with a tap. In reality, they’re often glitchy, confusing to use, and a drain on the battery (who wants to be fiddling with a dying tablet on vacation?).

• Open Season on Closets (and Drawers): Some hotels are ditching traditional closets in favor of open hanging spaces. While this might create a feeling of more openness, it also means less privacy and a lack of space to hide away your travel wardrobe. Similarly, the disappearance of drawers makes it difficult to unpack and organize your belongings, especially for longer stays.

Beyond the Frustration: Rethinking Hotel Design Priorities

These are just a few examples, and there are many more out there. The underlying issue is that hotels seem to be prioritizing aesthetics over functionality. Sure, a hotel can be stylish, but it should also be a place where guests feel comfortable, relaxed, and able to get a good night’s sleep.

So, what can be done?

Here are a few thoughts:

• Listen to the Guests: Hotels should be conducting surveys and actively seeking feedback from travelers to understand what’s working and what’s not.

• Focus on the Basics: Sometimes, the simplest things are the most important. Make sure the lights are easy to find and operate, provide plenty of hooks for towels and clothes, and invest in showers that actually keep the water contained.

• Strike a Balance: There’s no need to sacrifice style for functionality. Clever design solutions can be both aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.

Let’s Talk!

What are some of the most frustrating hotel design choices you’ve encountered? What would you like to see more of in hotels? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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