General

The Ying and Yang of Showers and Toilets in Hotels

July 2, 2010
Not the actual shower head, but it looks like this

I think we all have stories when we travel about things we like and things that are just perplexing.  We’re staying at a Holiday Inn Express and while it’s a a fine hotel in terms of staff friendliness, location, general comfort and the like, there’s one thing I just don’t understand:  low-flow showers.  Okay, in California, or any other state where water is a resource that’s in a very limited supply, low-flow showers in hotels are understandable.  However, we’re in Portland, Oregon where, as I type this, it’s raining – which means if it’s raining in July, an abundant water supply is something that’s not a problem for Portlanders.

Sure, hotels in water rich states want to save money on their water bills, but here’s what I don’t get: the toilet in our room is like a waterfall when flushed.  I mean it’s a hell of a lot of water! And the shower is like some bizarre-o universe where people prefer a spritz of water than a full on fire hose.  Don’t believe me?  Okay, I shot this video with my iPhone just to prove my point:

You know, it’s a sad, sad, sad, sad state of affairs when I think I can get a more substantial shower out of the toilet in our room than the actual shower.  And I feel doubly bad for Julie and Maya because they have hair, and with the amount of water coming out of that spigot, I have no idea how they are able to wash all that shampoo and conditioner out of their hair.

I guess this is one time when it’s good to be bald!

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  1. [email protected]

    July 2, 2010 at 10:16 am

    At the Portland Airport, they had one of those toilets with a handle that you pull UP for #1, DOWN for #2. I pulled UP, thinking it would be low flow like our toilets at home. It was like the hotel toilet. I wonder what it would be like for #2? I may have to test it when we leave…

    1. Ted

      July 2, 2010 at 7:55 pm

      Please do! I'll loan you my iPhone so you can get some video!!!

  2. Lalapunci

    July 2, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    We have low flow water fountains at work. 😉

    1. Ted

      July 2, 2010 at 7:56 pm

      Must be part of the government cutbacks.

  3. Lalapunci

    July 2, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    We actually had waterless urinals for a few years. They had more problems than a chipmunk trying to cross an eight lane freeway. They finally got rid of them because the pipes were rusting. I think it will take some time before we get used to new things and the new things get used to us.

    1. Ted

      July 2, 2010 at 10:25 pm

      I don't think I'll ever get used to low-flow showers, but I've used my fair share of waterless urinals–which is no biggie.

      1. Lalapunci

        July 6, 2010 at 9:08 am

        Using them is not the problem, it's the valve systems that suppose to prevent sewer gases from backing up into the restroom. In a conventional system water is used a barrier for the sewer gases. In a waterless system a ballistic rubber valve or oil is used as a valve system. The manufacturers will figure it out one day. I also can't get used to low-flow showers

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