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JankoCHECKED IN

Shower

What I look at: The whole process of showering, not only the shower itself. It starts with the water: a good jet, strong enough pressure, a temperature that is quickly right and stays right. Then it is about everything around it:

  • Is there enough space to move, and a place to put my things? Is the bathroom tidy and easy to use?
  • Are the towels fluffy?
  • Is there shower gel? Are the amenities and toiletries around the washbasin and the shower in order?
  • How is the handling overall: glass, taps, drain, floor?
  • Is there daylight in the bathroom, and a view while I shower? In the two Delhi hotels, the Novotel New Delhi City Centre and the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, and in the Novotel Auckland Airport, an electric control raises the blinds or slides the privacy screen to the side, so the bathroom gets more daylight and a view. That is a real plus. At the Novotel Auckland Airport it is a highlight: I could watch the planes from the shower.
  • How warm is it afterwards? Open bathroom concepts often give me problems. When the bathroom is open to the room, I am cold right after the shower.

About open bathrooms

I can see that an open bathroom looks fancy. But it is also a way to save space, and hotels save money and room with it. For me it mostly means a cold bathroom after the shower, and less privacy. So an open concept doesn’t earn extra points just for being open.

How I score it

  • 5: a strong, steady jet, stable temperature, fluffy towels, good toiletries, plenty of space, and no freezing afterwards. The whole routine is a pleasure.
  • 3: works without trouble, but nothing more.
  • 2.5 or below: weak pressure, hard-to-control temperature, a tight shower, an awkward washbasin, no proper toiletries, thin towels, or a bathroom where I am cold the moment I step out.

A good shower can save a travel day, so it has its own criterion.

Best showers

Ranked by Shower score

  1. The Costanero at dusk, when the glass facade finally shows its warm side. By day, the hotel looks rather cool and sober. MGallery Hotel Costanero Montevideo Montevideo 5.0
  2. The old town of Tallinn with its church towers and a cruise ship in the port, seen from the sea as I arrived by ferry from Helsinki. The hotel is about a 20 minute walk from the terminal. Swissôtel Swissôtel Tallinn Tallinn 5.0
  3. The view from the top floor over the rooftops of Vienna, with St. Stephen's Cathedral on the right. The bar up here, Das Loft, is dreamy. SO/ SO/ Vienna Vienna 5.0
  4. The tall glass facade with its clever V-shaped structure. A very good airport hotel, and for one night one of the best airport stays I have had. Novotel Novotel Auckland Airport Auckland 5.0
  5. Tower Bridge and the Tower of London seen from the Thames in London under a blue sky Novotel Novotel London Canary Wharf London 5.0