New survey advises hoteliers on ways to boost profit.
KALDEWEI, St.Ives, November 2019. – Whether travelling on a holiday or business
trip, what really matters to hotel guests is a clean, hygienic bathroom. This was the
result of a recent representative Forsa survey, commissioned by Kaldewei 1 . When
asked about the most important feature of a hotel, almost two thirds of
interviewees (62%) cited a clean bathroom. A large, comfortable bed trailed well
behind (26%) followed by other amenities. There are, however, many sources of
annoyance in hotels that reduce the pleasure of a stay. The answers to these
“problem areas” show what really annoys guests; how hotels can reduce the risk of
a poor guest review, what they need to avoid and what investments are really
worth paying attention to.
Calling card: The bathroom is the most important aspect of the hotel room.
If guests are happy with the bathroom, the chances are they will return and
recommend the hotel on-line. This promotes good occupancy rates and has a
positive impact on the hotel’s image. At first glance, it might seem astonishing that
for guests, the most important aspect is a part of the room where they only spend
an estimated average of only six to 30 minutes per day. The results of the Kaldewei
hotel study, however, makes it clear: The bathroom — is the place where guests
freshen up and where they end the day — and is therefor pivotal to a hotel’s
success. Consequently, 95% of interviewees say that if the bathroom is unhygienic,
they will not book the hotel again. Furthermore, 21% have given hotels a poorer on-
line rating because of shortcomings in the bathroom. More than one third (36%)
have already rejected hotels out of hand after reading poor bathroom reviews on-
line.
The key problem area: a lack of hygiene in the bathroom
Be it hair in the plughole, mouldy grouting or a dirty bathroom floor – a poorly
cleaned hotel bathroom was cited, by an overwhelming majority, (99%) as “very
annoying” or “quite annoying”. 98% of interviewees are disgusted by spots of
mildew on surfaces such as the shower, bath or washbasin. This is one annoyance
that cannot ever arise with Kaldewei steel enamel bathroom solutions – as proven
by hygiene examinations by the inspection agency TÜV Rheinland. With glass-hard,
non-porous surfaces, these enamelled washbasins, bath and showers are
demonstrably more hygienic and easier to clean than conventional acrylic products
or tiled showers. Thanks to the easy-clean surface finish, which comes as standard,
with all Kaldewei washbasins, washing residues have no chance of adhering to the
surface and forming mould.
Guests dislike mould on grouting, moisture damage and discolouration
That is why hotels that have tiled shower areas need to be extra careful: the survey
shows that the third and fourth most cited problem areas in hotel bathrooms are
mildew spots on grouting and in the shower floor drain, and moisture damage.
These are followed by inadequate water pressure and poor shower drainage which
quickly leads to little floods. Many hotel users are also annoyed by discoloured and
damaged bathroom products. Hotels can avoid these problems by installing steel
enamel shower surfaces such as those from premium manufacturer Kaldewei. Steel
stands for robustness, toughness and the ability to keep its shape. Glass offers a
superior look and feel, is resilient, easy to care for and hygienic. The perfect
material for the hotel industry’s demanding standards.
Shortcomings in hotel bathrooms: many guests have already had bad experiences
Although the bathroom is pivitol to a hotel’s success, one in two interviewees has
already had unpleasant experiences with defects: 51% have come across mildew
spots on grouting and 49% have been confronted with a poorly cleaned bathroom.
One third of guests (31%) have even see examples of moisture damage in hotel
bathrooms. One more reason for hoteliers to pay particular attention to choosing
superior hotel bathroom solutions for their new projects or refurbishments.
Investment pays off: guests will pay more for a hygienic, well-appointed bathroom
Investing in the right bathroom solutions will pay off in the long term because, apart
from hygiene (for 95% of those surveyed), the bathroom fit-out is what generates a
hotel booking for more than half of interviewees (56%). In fact, 62% – well over half
of interviewees – would even pay more for a hotel which has modern, high-end
bathrooms. More than one in two (53%) will dig deep into their pockets if bathrooms
feature products with ultra-hygienic surfaces. Sustainability is also a very important
issue for hotel guests: half the interviewees would like a bathroom fit-out with no
plastics, preferring the use of natural, recyclable materials. According to the survey,
62% would even be willing to pay more for their rooms.
“As a partner for the international hotel industry, we advise investors, architects and
hoteliers worldwide. With the survey results, we show hoteliers how making
meaningful investments can optimise their occupancy rates and thus the success of
their hotels. Our long-lasting bathroom solutions made of Kaldewei steel enamel
with a 30-year guarantee 2 satisfy guests’ wishes, while also being a worthwhile
investment in the future,” says Roberto Martinez, Kaldewei’s Chief Sales Officer.