All the Chicest Hotels Are Doing This Luxurious Design Trick—But Does It Work in Your Home?

You don’t have to look far to find design inspiration: It’s everywhere. While some people rely on social media and picture-perfect home tours, jetsetters often turn to their favorite accommodations for some fresh ideas. After all, a hotel is your home away from home, so it’s only fitting that these spaces are rife with dream-worthy beds and smart solutions for small spaces. 

“Gone are the days when the chicest high-end hotels all looked the same, no matter what city you were in,” explains Sasha Basso, founder of Capiz Studio in San Francisco. “Designers now are pushing boundaries and making unique spaces that truly speak to where the hotel is, paying attention to culture and architecture to craft a space that really wows you the minute you step into the door.”

Many hotels’ best bedroom ideas can be easily interpreted into our personal spaces, but what about the bathroom? And, more specifically, the shower? Gone are the days when a separate shower and bathtub—let alone a, gasp, combo setup—are the epitome of a five-star setup. Nowadays, every luxury lodging from Alila Napa Valley to Snake River Sporting Club’s Sylvan Lodge in Jackson Hole boasts a supersized shower area with a freestanding tub inside.

The Sylvan Lodge at Snake River Sporting Club

For Anita Lang of IMI Design in Scottsdale, Arizona, this configuration offers a more romantic, sculptural, and intentional take on the typical bathroom. “Today’s luxury hospitality is centered around creating moments that feel indulgent, sensory, and memorable,” she explains. “You’re no longer stepping into a utilitarian zone—you’re stepping into an experience.”

So can it work in a residential setting? Totally. Not only does Lang say the results can be “transformative” in a home, but she’s also used this idea to inspire her own bathroom. “My soaking tub is positioned to capture views of nature, creating a sense of calm and connection,” she says. “Just steps away, there’s an outdoor shower, and indoors, a skylit shower surrounded by greenery that feels like a rain shower in a solarium.”

It’s easy to write this shower suite off as something that can only be achieved at a five-star resort, but Lang argues it’s more versatile than you’d think. This setup pairs well in modern and biophilic homes, but the designer says it also looks good against a more traditional setting. And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to have a large space to get the look.

“Even in a smaller bathroom, you can evoke this feeling by prioritizing a sculptural freestanding tub, using glass to maintain visual openness, and layering in natural elements like stone, wood, or plant life,” Lang says.

Alila Napa Valley

One caveat: The alternative requires careful consideration. Los Angeles-based designer Anne Dereaux says privacy is non-negotiable. “A glass box shower in the middle of the room is a fun architectural moment for a weekend trip, but the reality of living with that lack of privacy day-to-day is a hard pass for me,” she explains. “Real life needs walls.”

A shower and bathtub might be the key ingredients, but don’t discount the room’s other elements. Lang says lighting—be it a skylight, ambient features, or a really big window—crafts  a “spa-like atmosphere.” “It’s about editing the space to focus on what truly enhances the experience, rather than trying to replicate scale,” she says.

Add your favorite bougie toiletries, keep a plush robe nearby, and presto: You’re well on your way to a soothing soak.