European hotel bathrooms often skip tubs, shower curtains, and washcloths — and there are practical reasons why.
If you’ve ever traveled in Europe, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
If you’re in a hotel in the U.S., chances are the shower, which will be sticking out of the wall, will be part of a tub unit. The shower curtain might go straight across, or it might be one of those rounded ones that give you a couple more inches of room. And the hotel will almost undoubtedly have liquid soap in those big containers, but you’ll have a washcloth, so it’ll be easy enough to lather up.
If you’re in a hotel in Europe though, things are a little different.
The shower space will most likely be a walk-in shower, without a tub. You’ll definitely have a handheld shower sprayer, but an overhead shower is iffier. Forget about a shower curtain; there will be a glass/plexiglass wall with an opening to enter/exit. You’ll still have big liquid soap containers, but there’s no sign of a washcloth anywhere.
Why are there so many differences?
Some are a matter of practicality, some are just local preferences.
Why European hotels rarely have tubs
The lack of a bathtub in many European hotels is simply because of a lack of space. European hotel rooms are generally smaller than their U.S. counterparts, and the same goes for the square footage (well, square meters) of the bathroom. Shower stalls take up roughly half the footprint of a tub, so to save space, that’s what more European hotels offer.
Why handheld shower wands are everywhere
When you’re in a small space, having a shower head that can’t move may be more of a hindrance than you think. Most European showers include a handheld shower wand, so you can aim the flow of water wherever you want.
There may still be an overhead or wall-mounted fixed shower head – but the handheld is pretty much a given, as opposed to the U.S., where it’s generally an afterthought.
Why Europeans prefer glass shower panels
This seems to be more of a design choice. European aesthetics tend to favor a sleek, minimalist look that a plexiglass panel can provide.
Since plexiglass is typically clear, it makes the small bathroom space feel larger than it would with a solid shower curtain blocking part of the view.
Glass doors are also more durable than shower curtains, are easier to keep clean, and they help avoid mold – all important in a hotel setting.
The mystery of the missing washcloth
In the U.S., some people use washcloths and some don’t. But U.S.-based hotels generally offer a washcloth. In European hotels? Generally not.
This is a mixture of general preference/social norms, as well as Europeans being more in-tune with the environment – not offering washcloths means not having to use the hot water, chemicals or electricity to clean washcloths.
I learned about the “no washcloth” thing during my first trip to London and Paris, back in the mid-90s. Have brought my own washcloth in my carry-on ever since. Just in case.
Of course, once you travel enough internationally, these little bathroom differences stop feeling strange and just become part of the experience.
In fact, after enough trips to Europe, you may even start wondering why American hotels don’t do some of these things more often. Handheld shower wands are genuinely useful, and walk-in showers can feel surprisingly roomy despite the smaller space.
That said, I’m still bringing my own washcloth. 😏
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
