What happened to bathroom doors in hotels trend

Published: 05 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

For decades, hotel bathrooms were defined by solid wooden doors, frosted locks and the reassuring sense of privacy they provided. Today, however, many travellers are encountering something entirely different: sliding glass panels, semi-transparent partitions, barn-style doors with gaps, or in some cases, no proper door at all. The shift has sparked frustration, humour and debate in equal measure. So what exactly happened to bathroom doors in hotels?

The trend did not emerge overnight. Over the past fifteen years, hotel design philosophy has undergone a noticeable transformation. Modern properties, particularly boutique and lifestyle brands, have prioritised open-plan aesthetics, natural light and space efficiency. In pursuit of sleek minimalism, traditional bathroom enclosures have often been replaced with glass walls or sliding mechanisms that blur the boundary between bedroom and bathroom.

Large global chains have embraced this style in varying degrees. Properties under brands such as Marriott International and Hilton have introduced room concepts featuring partial partitions or translucent panels, especially in city-centre and design-led hotels. The reasoning is often framed around contemporary appeal and the perception of larger room space.

Interior designers argue that removing heavy wooden doors allows more natural light to flow through compact rooms. In densely built urban hotels where floor space is limited, glass partitions can create the illusion of openness. Frosted or tinted panels are frequently used to balance privacy with brightness. Sliding barn-style doors, meanwhile, are marketed as space-saving solutions compared with traditional swing doors.

Yet many guests remain unconvinced. Privacy concerns are the most common complaint. Even frosted glass can cast silhouettes, and sliding doors often leave visible gaps at the sides. Sound insulation is frequently reduced compared with solid doors, adding to discomfort for couples, families or business travellers sharing accommodation.

Hotel operators defend the design evolution by pointing to changing travel patterns. Solo travellers now account for a substantial share of urban hotel bookings, particularly in business districts. For single occupancy, open-plan bathrooms may present fewer issues. Younger travellers, accustomed to contemporary apartment design and studio living, are also viewed as more receptive to unconventional layouts.

Cost considerations play a role as well. Sliding panels and modular glass installations can sometimes reduce construction complexity in new-build projects. Maintenance teams note that certain sliding systems are easier to repair than traditional hinged doors, particularly in high-traffic hospitality environments.

However, critics argue that design trends may have outpaced guest preference. Travel forums and review platforms frequently feature complaints about insufficient privacy, especially among older travellers or families. In response, some hotels have quietly reintroduced more traditional bathroom doors in refurbishments, suggesting that the pendulum may be swinging back.

Industry analysts point out that the shift coincided with the rise of boutique hotel culture in the early 2010s. Influenced by loft-style living and industrial aesthetics, designers favoured exposed materials, visible plumbing and open sightlines. The bathroom became part of the room’s visual statement rather than a concealed utility space. This concept appealed to marketing imagery, where bright, open interiors photograph well for websites and social media.

The pandemic years also reshaped hospitality priorities. Hygiene and airflow became central concerns. Some operators reassessed enclosed layouts to improve ventilation systems. Yet at the same time, heightened awareness of personal space renewed conversations about privacy and comfort.

Regional differences are noticeable. European city hotels, where space constraints are acute, have often adopted glass-heavy designs more aggressively than larger resort properties in North America or the Middle East. Luxury hotels tend to balance modern transparency with clever architectural separation, using opaque sliding walls or electronically switchable glass that can turn from clear to frosted at the touch of a button.

For business travellers, functionality often outweighs aesthetic appeal. A well-insulated door that guarantees discretion during early morning conference calls or shared stays is frequently valued over visual continuity. Families travelling with children also tend to prefer conventional layouts, especially when coordinating routines in confined spaces.

Hotel consultants suggest that guest feedback is increasingly influencing redesign decisions. Some properties now offer hybrid solutions, combining glass panels with full-height sliding doors that close completely. Others incorporate textured finishes or layered screens to preserve light without sacrificing privacy.

Ultimately, the disappearance—or transformation—of bathroom doors in hotels reflects broader tensions in modern hospitality: style versus substance, openness versus comfort, and marketing imagery versus lived experience. While minimalist design has clear visual appeal, guest satisfaction remains the industry’s most important metric.

As renovation cycles continue across global hotel portfolios, operators are closely monitoring traveller sentiment. The question is no longer simply whether open-plan bathrooms look contemporary, but whether they genuinely enhance the guest experience.

For now, travellers booking a stay may wish to review room photos carefully or request clarification in advance. The humble bathroom door, once an unquestioned fixture of hotel design, has become an unexpected symbol of changing priorities in modern travel.

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