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bathroom question

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dloos50 started this discussion 15 years 11 months ago

I never thought questions like these would be keeping me up at night, but here's my situation: I'm close to purchasing a property here in Missoula, Montana for what will eventually be a small, 14-bed hostel (7 bunks). It's smaller than I would like, but there is room to expand if the business proves successful after a few years.

My main concern right now is that current plans -- after all renovations are complete -- call for two full bathrooms. Just one shower and one toilet in each. I'm expecting to be close to 100 percent full between May and August. Occupancy during the other eight months is likely to fluctuate quite a bit, especially during year one.

With 14 guests, am I looking at major problems and chaos with only two bathrooms? I still have the option of adding one more half bathroom, which I imagine would help ease the situation. Of course, adding an extra 1/2 bath is going to cost upwards of $7,000 ... is it worth the expense? Thanks,

-Dave

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Scotch Argus

15 years

A ratio of 1:7 for showers wouldn't be too bad, but if the bathrooms are combined shower/ toilet you'll have problems, as if you have 2 people using showers in the morning then there are no toilets available. If possible I'd separate the toilets and showers. If that's not possible then and extra couple of WCs would be definitely worthwhile.

There will be excess demand at busy times for the shower, but people can get around that by showering at night, or early in the morning. Unfortunately in my exerience unless you have a very high shower / bed ratio there'll always be a bit of a wait at 8-9am.

The most important thing is to try and make sure there is enough toilets - because people can't always hold off for long!

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camden-mary

15 years

Good day..

I also agree that even an half bathroom is necessary. In our hostel each room has one bathroom. We have two bathrooms that people use for the Shared bathroom (4 rooms sharing) and lots of people from other rooms needs to use also when they need to go......So Yes another bathroom is necessary.

Good luck

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Kapake

15 years

I do also agree...I would deffintely find a way of separating baths from showers mere separations help a lot.

Remember to

Make it as spacious as possible
Provide 2 trash bins
And floors that do not collect water in "ponds". The gradient of the floor must be well calculated or you´ll have a nightmare in there!

also have a simple ventilation system, it helps with odors.

Good luck!

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Fountainrunner

15 years

I'm confused. What do you guys mean by separating showers and toilets? Showers in one room, toilets in another? I've never heard of this. :confused:

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santa klaus

15 years

Showers in one room, toilets in another?

Exactly. We have ensuite bathrooms and often people complain that there´s no way to go to the loo if someone indulges in a long shower session. It makes sense to have the toilets in a separate room.

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Fountainrunner

15 years

Exactly. We have ensuite bathrooms and often people complain that there´s no way to go to the loo if someone indulges in a long shower session. It makes sense to have the toilets in a separate room.

Are you kidding? I find that strange. All the hostels I've ever gone to had ensuites and no one ever complained. Someone taking a shower never stopped me from going to the toilet either. I'd be more weirded out by the shower room and the toilet room but that's just me I guess. If the bathroom is done right there is no reason to have them separate IMO.

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santa klaus

15 years

Well, people complain about the wildest things. If we can make them happy by having the toilet in a separate room, so be it.

This is how we design our dorm rooms now:

IMAGE(http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8708/dorm.jpg)

PS
dear readers in Budapest: yes, this is Hungarian. You may freak out now. :D

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uktrail

15 years

Are you kidding? I find that strange. All the hostels I've ever gone to had ensuites and no one ever complained. Someone taking a shower never stopped me from going to the toilet either. I'd be more weirded out by the shower room and the toilet room but that's just me I guess. If the bathroom is done right there is no reason to have them separate IMO.

Think of the case where there is one bathroom shared between several bedrooms. You get up and need to go to the toilet. You see/hear somebody in the shower. So you wait 5 minutes in your room. You hear them come out, you give them 10 seconds to get back to their room. Someone comes out of another room 2 seconds before you do. They stay for a 10 minute shower......

I've never actually complained to anyone in authority, because there's not much point.

It's a pain, and also a waste of time if you're ready to get breakfast and go out.

I'm with everybody else on this. Separate toilets are essential. I would say: what's the point of having them together (in a hostel) when you can't use both at once.

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Bocciardi

15 years

Do you think that is better option to have common bathrooms, like one for women and another for men (each with 3 showers, 3 toilets and 3 wash faces)? Or it is better to have individual bathrooms?

:confused:

Thank you
Bocci

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Rucksack Brian

15 years

Do you think that is better option to have common bathrooms, like one for women and another for men (each with 3 showers, 3 toilets and 3 wash faces)? Or it is better to have individual bathrooms?

Common bathrooms are probably the best way to take advantage of your space. If you have a lot of guests and not much room it's the way to go. I think they feel very institutional though, and I personally prefer individual bathrooms. If you have enough room for individual facilities, your guests will appreciate the privacy.

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