Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2019 32 T he format at the international Interior Business Event imm cologne is a walk-in design catalogue for sanitary ware in front of and behind the wall. FURNISHINGS AND INTERIOR DESIGN: ARCHITECTS DISCOVER THE CONTRACT BATHROOM AS A PURCHASE CRITERIA Whether hotel guests are travelling for business or pleasure, a clean, hygienic bathroom is what really matters. This was a clear finding of a recent survey conducted by market research institute forsa on behalf of Kaldewei. When asked about the most important feature of a hotel's furnishings, almost two-thirds of respondents (62%) named a clean bathroom. A large, comfortable bed (26%) and other furnishing options trailed behind. It seems first impressions count in the hotel bathroom. Alongside the functional layout of sanitary ware products, the room's comfort factor is becoming more important. The living area and bathroom can even merge – after all, the visual consistency of a hotel room clearly reveals the professionalism of its interior design. The bathroom as a place for freshening up and bringing the day to a close is proving to be a linchpin in a hotel's success – according to 95% of respondents who said that they wouldn't book another room in a hotel if the bathroom was unhygienic at their first visit. It's therefore important when choosing products that are low maintenance and easily integrated into the hotel's cleaning processes. In addition, showers, bathtubs, washbasins and fittings need to look as good as new for a long time. Flat surfaces and hygienic materials such as steel enamel not only promote hygienic conditions in the hotel bathroom for the guests – they also create an atmosphere of well-being. In Asia, it's not just high-end hotels where shower toilets are part of the standard furnishings. The trend for shower toilets is now set to take off in northern Europe as well. Sanitary ware manufacturers are on hand to assist here with cleaning recommendations. Architects, interior designers and purchase decision makers in the contract business will be able to hold informed discussions on complex considerations in January 2020 at imm cologne, where numerous representatives from the T R A D E S H O W N E W S THE BATHROOM AS A PURCHASE CRITERION IN THE CONTRACT BUSINESS T H E B A T H R O O M I S B E C O M I N G A N I N C R E A S I N G LY I M P O R T A N T D E C I S I O N F A C T O R F O R H O T E L G U E S T S A N D P R O P E R T Y B U Y E R S . P U R E A R C H I T E C T S I N J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 I S T H E F I R S T P O R T O F C A L L F O R D E C I S I O N M A K E R S I N T H E C O N T R A C T B U S I N E S S W H O W A N T T O S E E T H E L A T E S T B A T H R O O M T R E N D S A N D H O L D I N F O R M E D D I S C U S S I O N S A B O U T S A N I T A R Y I N S T A L L A T I O N S .

• Cover