Article from BTNews 20 FEBRUARY 2017
COMMENT: Do you want a bath or a shower?
With the London Business Travel Show starting later this week (Wednesday and Thursday, 22-23 February), it seems a very good idea to ask the question “Would you like a bath or a shower?” That is, when checking in at a hotel are you offered a choice?
Sad to say laid up in Marseilles, (see BTN 6 February) Swan Hellenic’s fine cruise ship Minerva did offer just that for balcony cabin clients. Suites with baths were on the portside and with showers on the starboard.
It is true some hotel rooms come with both, but that is fairly rare, and applies mostly to five-star properties. Showers with baths are OK but that is no good for seniors who can struggle with a high rim.
Now it is true that a ‘walk-in’ style shower takes up no more space than a bath, and without going into too much detail one can wash all over just the same.
So hoteliers, why not feature showers in the future? It is a long time since they were a sort of ‘add-on’ in the cheaper type of accommodation, which previously featured only a hand basin, with the bathroom down the corridor.
With modern technology, you can request in advance a room with a shower (with the proviso that it is available).
Hotel proprietors need to think and plan ahead.
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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)
All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum
Janet Walford, Little Chalfont
Shower every time. But it should be a proper walk in shower and preferably NOT plastic. Adjustable head always needed, with controls positioned so that you don't have to walk into the shower to turn it on. Also separate controls for heat and water pressure. Simple!
Richard PECKHAM, UK
Shower every time with hand held head, can't sit in bath dirty water.
Stan Abbott, Durham, UK
There's nothign quite like a bath for soaking away the stresses of a hard day... It's not just about "getting clean"! In an ideal world, both is best!
Norman ,
Shower with grab rail(s) and one-handed mixer/volume tap (faucet). Baths are difficult to get in and out of for seniors.
louise murray, United Kingdom
Showers always. Never understood how people can get out of a bath feeing clean.And yes a moveable shower head please.
Joe , London
Shower with Grab rails & hand held shower head (due to mobility issues)
Peter Somers, France
How right you are Seniors like myself especially if you have a hip replacement. I have found that Travelodge provide the safest shower/bath with good grab handles.
Louis Gonzalez-Lopez, London
Shower above the bath. The option to request a walk in shower (subject to availability) would be useful for some
Deborah Parritt,
Both, but separate in a luxury hotel. Otherwise shower with hand held/moveable shower head
Catherine Chetwynd, London
A bath in winter, shower in summer