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Today's hotel bathrooms are more than the sum of their sinks and shower
heads. They serve as ultimate sanctuaries, providing the comforts of home or
transporting guests to another realm.
"We're seeing more attention to details," says Kathleen Dauber, a partner at Hirsch
Bedner Associates, the world's largest hotel-design company.
In addition to technological innovations, such as TV screens that turn into mirrors
when you approach them, Dauber sees a trend of pulling back on furnishings to
make way for open areas. "Space is luxury," she says.
Fresh air and natural light are prized commodities, as are stunning views of
skylines or natural landscapes. Fragmentation of areas within the room according
to function is popular, such as separating the salle de bain from the toilet. And
curating regional aesthetics and incorporating interesting materials is also top of
mind; local supplies and recycled construction resources are layered with classically
opulent stone, glass, wood and other substances.
Here are ten hotel bathrooms that cohesively balance utility and beauty.
Song Saa, Cambodia
Song Saa, on a private island in southern Cambodia, has generous terrazzo
composite-stone bathtubs placed strategically to afford views of each room's
individual infinity pool and the Gulf of Thailand. Playing to its natural setting,
the property created its rustic-chic vanities from driftwood and recycled timbers and
incorporated sustainable materials like bamboo into items such as the towel rails.
The wooden statues from the hill tribes of the Ratanakiri province in northern
Cambodia provide a local touch that counterbalances the Australian Aesop body
products. Rooms start at $1,117 (all-inclusive).
Park Hyatt Vienna
Opened in June, Park Hyatt Vienna has a Presidential Suite that comes with a
grand marble bathroom containing a striking lapis lazuli wall and a walk-in rain
shower. But the real showstopper is the gilded bath, reminiscent of the sensual
paintings of hometown artist Gustav Klimt. Illuminated by a tiered chandelier, the
golden vessel turns the everyday act of bathing into an artistic ritual. Rooms start at
$510.
Departures: Hotels with gorgeous views
21c Cincinnati
As the name suggests, 21c Museum Hotels mixes boutique accommodations with
stupendous collections of contemporary art under one roof. Its 156-room Cincinnati
property married designs by starchitect Deborah Berke with local craftsmanship: It
commissioned Rookwood Pottery, the city's heritage ceramic producer whose roots date
back to 1880, to manufacture Berke's whimsical bathroom tiles that mimic ears, lips,
breasts and other body parts. The result is an elegantly simple bathroom with
bright white interiors that, upon closer inspection, surprises with cheeky twists. Rooms
start at $300.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica
Designed by local talent Ronald Zurcher, this Costa Rican retreat engages with its
natural surroundings and local traditions. The bathroom's spacious walk-in rain
shower opens to the balcony, effortlessly bringing in the pristine Costa Rican
outdoors. The floors feature rocks and pebbles from the area and textiles and artifacts
from local artisans, paying homage to the folk traditions of the Guanacaste
province. Rooms start at $450.
Departures: Signature hotel desserts
Four Seasons Resort Langkawi
Situated inside a UNESCO geopark of rainforests and dramatic cliffs, the 91
pavilions and villas of Four Seasons Resort Langkawi blend Malay, Arabic and
South Asian architectural styles—and nowhere is the beautiful mélange more
evident than in its guest bathrooms. Featuring soaring arches, bright skylights and
outdoor soaking tubs in private gardens, the little personal spas incorporate Arabic
flourishes, Malay artifacts, ornate wooden screens and handcrafted hanging
mirrors finished with antique patinas. Rooms start at $540.
The Viceroy, New York
In Suite 57, the penthouse crown jewel of New York's Viceroy hotel, Paonazzo marble is
used so generously that even the oversized soaking tub is made of the classic
material that was favored among designers in the early 20th century. Drawing from
the luxurious design elements of the hotel lobby and the suite itself, the master
bathroom features an original collection of lighting fixtures and hand-perforated
brass hardware. A highlight? The sweeping views of Central Park from the sprawling
dual shower. $5,500 a night.
Departures: Lush hotel patios and gardens
The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa
At the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa, you may be drawn to the walk-in power
showers by Jacob Delafon of Paris or the overflow infinity-style Jacuzzi from Kohler or
the glass walls overlooking a sun-soaked garden. But it's the subtle touches that
really delight, such as the discreet palm-leaf motif that is embossed in a gypsum
frieze around the room and is visible when illuminated at night. Rooms start at
$280.
Point Yamu by COMO, Phuket, Thailand
Paola Navone designed Point Yamu by COMO, which is slated to open in September.
The bathrooms in the Bay Suites combine deep-blue tiles, clean lines, hanging light
fixtures and varied textures to create a vibrant atmosphere. Made with 95 percent
local resources, including natural wood, the ceramic-intense rooms make a bold,
clean statement with touches of nature. Bay Suites start at $280.
Departures: The hotel suites to book in New York
The Oberoi, Dubai
The executive chairman of the Oberoi Group was directly involved in designing every
detail of its Dubai outpost. Employing uncluttered lines and classic marble, the
guest bathrooms demonstrate sophisticated restraint. The most notable features is
the floor-to-ceiling windows that display breathtaking uninterrupted views of the
Dubai skyline, including the Old City and the iconic Burj Khalifa. Rooms start at
$790.
Hoshino Resorts KAI Aso, Japan
Bathing in hot-spring water is an essential part of staying at a ryokan, a Japanese
inn, and Hoshino Resorts KAI Aso, at the foothills of an active volcano, updates the
cleansing ritual to new heights. Every villa on the six-and-a-half-acre property is
equipped with a private outdoor tub on a terrace that juts into the surrounding
verdant forest, allowing guests to poach mineral-rich volcanic water from the
mountains. Unspoiled air, natural light, infinite space and breathtaking views:
Some traditions deserve to be trendy. Rooms start at $770 (including breakfast and
kaiseki dinner).
Credits :The Cable News Network
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