Privacy in hotel bathrooms has become a hot-button issue for travelers, and it's about time we addressed it! Imagine this: you're on a romantic getaway with your partner, and as you enter your hotel room, you realize that the toilet, tucked away in a tiny cubicle, is separated from the bed by nothing more than a thin pane of glass with some strategically placed frosting. Oh, and let's not forget the audible delights that come with such an arrangement!
Now, I know some folks might be into that kind of thing, but for the rest of us, it's a major privacy invasion. And it's not just a one-off issue; bizarre bathroom designs seem to be popping up in hotels across all price ranges, from family rooms with bathtubs in full view to sliding doors that leave gaping cracks for curious toddlers to peek through.
But fear not, privacy seekers! A movement is afoot, and help has arrived in the form of Bringbackdoors.com, a website that's here to save the day (or at least your bathroom privacy). This handy database lets you search for hotels that guarantee bathroom doors in their rooms, ensuring your personal moments remain, well, personal.
The brainchild of American marketer Sadie Lowell, who's based in Europe, Bringbackdoors.com was born out of her own travel experiences and a desire to help others avoid awkward situations. Lowell recalls a trip to London with her father where they were shocked to find no bathroom door in their room, despite having booked twin beds.
"I don't know if it's the developers, designers, or architects who made that choice, but they've strayed far from what people actually want and are looking for," Lowell says. "Having twin beds in your room means you absolutely want bathroom privacy."
Since its launch in late 2025, Bringbackdoors.com has gained traction, with Lowell adding around 800 submissions from around the world and receiving promotion in multiple global media outlets.
"It's been a crazy rollercoaster," Lowell says. "I went after such an unusual topic, and I'm glad to see that people care about this."
The website categorizes rooms based on the level of privacy they offer, from "the worst offenders" (where you might need to take turns using the lobby bathroom) to "50% privacy: Glass doors with walls" (where you can create privacy by hanging towels or finding a specific corner).
And let's not forget the sensory concerns! Some hotels offer visual privacy but sacrifice all other types, meaning you can hear and smell everything that's happening in the bathroom.
Now, there are times when an open-plan bathroom might be desirable, like in a spacious tropical resort suite. But when it's a single room with twin beds and no place to hide while you attend to your personal business, it's a whole different story.
To gain some insight into the world of hotel bathroom design, we spoke to award-winning designer Paula O'Callaghan, a partner at HBA, a global firm behind some of the most famous luxury hotels and resorts. O'Callaghan recalls seeing frosted glass in a hotel bathroom nearly 30 years ago at the original Park Hyatt in Tokyo, which was a big deal at the time.
"When that hit the scene, everybody was gushing on about how avant-garde the bathroom was with these frosted glass cubicles," she says.
However, O'Callaghan notes that not all frosted glass is created equal, and some bathroom rules just shouldn't be broken. The toilet, for example, should always be enclosed, even in lifestyle-driven brands.
"Never clear glass, and never a situation where someone can just see right in from the guestroom area," she emphasizes.
In recent years, hotel operators in many major destinations have been pushing for open bathrooms, with some lifestyle brands keen to have the bathtub separated from the shower/toilet and part of the guest room.
"It's a trend that has been growing bolder and bolder, at least for the last three decades," O'Callaghan says, adding that many designers will likely be surprised by the backlash.
One thing to note is that you're less likely to find outrageous bathroom designs in heritage hotels, even those that have undergone extensive renovations. As O'Callaghan explains, when working on a hotel set inside a historic building, "your priorities change completely."
"You have more parties to consider; beyond the operator and the owner, you may have the historic preservation panel to consider, and they will have their opinions too about how an interior is restored or preserved or renovated," she says.
So, if you're in search of guaranteed privacy and don't have the budget for heritage properties or high-end luxury hotels, head over to Bringbackdoors.com. Your bathroom privacy revolution starts now!
