Is the bathroom the new diva at hotels? Re-styled, pampered, on glossy paper, it is gradually acquiring status as an icon, a proportionate position in 21st century hotels. Or, rather disproportionate. Because the bathrooms are coming out of their closet. Little by little they are taking over increasing space within largely open rooms. Repositioned on the luxury market, the new Sofitel hotels will see their bathrooms occupy 35% of the volume of its rooms. And, since guests spend most of their waking time there, bathrooms are becoming a living space. In the upscale television screens in bathrooms are no longer a rarity. These “well-being rooms” are no longer just about hygiene: well-being is their raison d’être. “They must offer an experience that borders on relaxation and the spa experience,” explains Sylvia Jensch, Marketing Director of ADA, where the range of seaweed-enriched Hydrobasics welcome products is in strong demand.At the dawn of a new impetus for bathrooms, an ounce of prevention is worth of pound of cure.The world of the bathroom is undergoing serious major changes. And bathroom equipment – accessories, welcome products – must keep up with this rapid evolution. “Two years ago things speeded up and now things are settling in. We had to adapt in order to keep up with these changes,” admits Jean-Guy de Russé, designer for JVD, specialist in accessories (hairdryers, mirrors, and so on). The first major trend in this evolution: the progressive disappearance of the bathtub. “We still sell bath salts and effervescent tablets, but today we are adding products to our range that are especially for the shower such as body scrubs,” explains François Marchand, president of Aficom. In the luxury hotel industry there is still a choice of shower or bath. But the solution of a large shower is becoming more widespread...