The doorless bathroom trend in hotels: a growing privacy concern

A rising trend in hotel design

Have you noticed it? You check into your hotel, unpack, and then… the bathroom lacks a door, or perhaps has a completely see-through glass one. This design choice, seemingly aimed at making small rooms appear larger or cutting costs, is gaining traction in hotels worldwide. While we often draw inspiration from hotel decor, this particular trend is one we’re unlikely to replicate in our homes.

Bring back doors: a traveler's campaign

Lisbon-based digital marketer Sadie Lowell is spearheading the movement against this trend. She launched the website Bring Back Doors, a resource for travelers to avoid hotels without adequate bathroom privacy and an advocacy platform against the design choice. Lowell's frustration began during a trip to England when she discovered her room, booked specifically for twin beds, lacked a bathroom door – a final straw in years of noticing this increasingly common occurrence.

Overwhelming support for privacy

The response to Lowell’s campaign has been remarkable. Bring Back Doors attracts hundreds of thousands of views, and her TikTok account boasts over 10,000 followers. Travelers from around the globe contribute examples of hotels featuring doorless bathrooms, resulting in a database of over 1,000 listings. Lowell believes this reflects a wider dissatisfaction among travelers who, until now, have lacked a forum to express their concerns.

Frequent offenders: which hotel chains are most likely to lack doors?

The hotels identified on the Bring Back Doors website span a range of price points. Several hotel chains appear more frequently than others, including Ruby Hotels, W, Moxy, and citizenM. Even hotels like SpringHill Suites are noted for bathrooms with sliding doors and significant gaps, compromising privacy. This highlights a broader industry tendency to prioritize aesthetics or cost-saving measures over basic guest comfort.

The root of the problem: design prioritization and cost savings

Lowell suspects the trend stems from a combination of design priorities—creating a sense of spaciousness—and budgetary considerations, with doors being a seemingly easy target for cost-cutting. However, she points out that many industry professionals agree with her concerns, receiving numerous direct messages (DMs) expressing solidarity, although their ability to influence design decisions is often limited by developers.

Can travelers influence change?

Lowell believes change is possible, but it hinges on consumer action. “The only way to stop this madness is to make it a financially bad choice for hotels to do this,” she states. She encourages travelers to proactively check the Bring Back Doors website, or any other sources, before booking to ensure adequate bathroom privacy. Ultimately, showcasing a demand for privacy could shift hotel design priorities.

Beyond the trend: considering privacy in home design

While this trend is primarily impacting the hospitality industry, it raises a broader question about the importance of privacy in our living spaces. Even as open-concept designs gain popularity, maintaining a sense of personal sanctuary remains crucial. This might involve considering more traditional bathroom door designs, frosted glass panels, or even strategic placement of furniture to create visual barriers.