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Hotels Sacrifice Privacy for Cost: New Bathroom Trends

1/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Hotels are replacing solid bathroom doors with cheaper options such as sliding barn doors and glass enclosures to cut costs.
The trend raises privacy concerns as sinks and showers are moved into bedrooms in some hotels, according to Bjorn Hanson of New York University.
Sadie Lowell, who created the Bring Back Doors website, rates hotels on bathroom door privacy, reflecting growing guest frustration and a hotel without a bathroom door.

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Story summary

Hotels are replacing solid bathroom doors with cheaper options such as sliding barn doors and glass enclosures to cut costs.
The trend raises privacy concerns as sinks and showers are moved into bedrooms in some hotels, according to Bjorn Hanson of New York University.
Sadie Lowell, who created the Bring Back Doors website, rates hotels on bathroom door privacy, reflecting growing guest frustration and a hotel without a bathroom door.