How to Choose the Right Bathroom Vanity for Hotel Projects

For hotel developers, contractors and procurement teams, the bathroom vanity is not just a piece of furniture. It is a compact system that integrates plumbing, storage, lighting and brand image in one element. A well-specified vanity installs quickly, performs reliably under heavy use and presents a consistent look across every room type.

This guide is written from an engineering and project perspective. Instead of focusing on one-off retail pieces, we look at how to select bathroom vanities that work across dozens or hundreds of hotel rooms, with clear specifications, predictable quality and controlled lifecycle cost.

1. Start from Hotel Positioning and Room-Type Planning

Before discussing finishes or handles, clarify the role of the vanity in your project. A 5-star resort, a business hotel and a long-stay serviced apartment all have different priorities in storage, visual impact and maintenance.

• Project segment: luxury, upscale, mid-scale or economy will influence countertop materials, hardware levels and lighting details.
• Room types: standard rooms, family rooms and suites rarely use the same vanity. Define a clear width and configuration matrix for each type.
• Operational priorities: some brands prioritise easy cleaning and fast room turnover; others focus on high-end finishes and generous storage.

A simple but effective approach is to define 2–3 standardised sizes (for example 900 mm, 1200 mm and 1500 mm) and map them to your room types. This gives your OEM supplier a stable framework for engineering drawings and mass production.

2. Select the Right Configuration and Size

Configuration affects both guest experience and site work. When choosing size and layout, consider circulation space, plumbing positions and housekeeping workflow.

Wall-Mounted vs. Floor-Standing

• Wall-mounted (floating) vanities create a light, high-end look and make floor cleaning easier. They are ideal for luxury hotels but require solid wall backing and accurate fixing points.
• Floor-standing vanities are more forgiving on site, especially where wall conditions vary, and can sometimes hide plumbing more easily.

Storage Layout

• Drawers: efficient for toiletries and small items, with clear visibility for guests.
• Open shelves: convenient for towels and amenity boxes; popular in resort-style bathrooms.
• Combination: a mix of drawers plus one open shelf is often the best solution for hotel housekeeping.

For standard rooms, a single-basin vanity in the 900–1200 mm range is typically sufficient. Suites and premium rooms can adopt wider double-basin configurations, especially when combined with large LED mirrors and electric towel warmers.

Wall-mounted marble vanity: compact size with open storage and integrated lighting — ideal for standard and deluxe rooms.

3. Choose Materials That Survive Real Hotel Conditions

Hotel bathrooms combine high humidity, frequent cleaning and heavy usage. Attractive renderings are not enough; the core materials and finishes must be engineered for this environment.

Cabinet Structure

• Stainless steel: highly resistant to moisture, ideal for areas with persistent humidity or direct water exposure.
• Moisture-resistant plywood / high-grade MDF: suitable for most hotel bathrooms if edges are properly sealed and protected.
• Solid wood: reserved for special suites; requires careful humidity control and stable supply for large projects.

Surface Finishes

• Powder-coated or PVD metal: premium look with strong scratch and corrosion resistance.
• High-pressure laminate (HPL) / melamine: cost-effective and durable for mid- to upper-mid-scale properties.
• Veneer + clear coat: warm, natural appearance; best used with robust topcoat systems in less exposed areas.

Dark grey stainless steel vanity with marble-effect surface and integrated LED mirror, suitable for 5-star hotel suites.

When comparing quotations, request detailed material descriptions including board thickness, edge banding type, coating system, and rust-proof treatment. This prevents low-quality substitutions during production.

4. Countertop, Basin and Fittings

Countertops and basins are the most visible and heavily used parts of the vanity. They also influence plumbing coordination and cleaning procedures.

• Countertop materials: engineered quartz, sintered stone and solid surface are popular for hotels due to their stain resistance and consistent quality.
• Basin type: under-mount and integrated basins are easier to clean; vessel basins create a strong design statement but need careful height planning.
• Fittings: choose corrosion-resistant mixers and wastes, and ensure colour consistency (chrome, black, brushed nickel, PVD gold) with other bathroom hardware.

Clarify if the countertop will arrive pre-cut from the factory for basins and mixers, or if cutting is expected on site. Factory pre-cutting generally offers better quality and saves installation time, but requires precise coordination of plumbing layouts.

5. Plan Plumbing, Fixing and Site Coordination Early

Many installation problems arise not from the vanity itself but from missing coordination between drawings and on-site construction. For engineering teams, this is an area where early planning avoids costly rework.

• Drain and water connections: confirm S-trap vs. P-trap, wall or floor outlets, and required access space for maintenance.
• Wall reinforcement: wall-hung vanities must fix into solid backing, not just tile adhesive or thin blockwork.
• Electrical points: if pairing the vanity with LED mirrors or shaver sockets, allow for concealed power feeds behind the mirror zone.
• Waterproofing and tiling: avoid drilling through waterproofing layers wherever possible and detail sealing at wall junctions.

Coordinating vanity, mirror cabinet and lighting creates a unified installation zone and simplifies rough-in planning.

6. Think in Terms of Durability and Lifecycle Cost

Hotel bathrooms see far more usage than residential bathrooms. Drawers are opened hundreds of times per month, cleaners wipe surfaces daily and luggage occasionally bumps into cabinet corners.

• Hardware: specify branded soft-close hinges and drawer slides with high cycle ratings and corrosion-resistant finishes.
• Edge protection: pay attention to edges near wet zones and corners exposed to impact; consider aluminium trims or reinforced edging where necessary.
• Cleaning compatibility: confirm that finishes can withstand typical hotel cleaning chemicals without discolouration or peeling.
• Spare parts strategy: define how many extra sets of hardware, basins and handles should be kept for each project.

A slightly higher initial investment in materials and hardware can significantly reduce repair calls, room downtime and guest complaints over the life of the project.

7. Work with an OEM Partner to Standardise Across Projects

For hotel groups and developers, the best results come from treating bathroom vanities as part of a standardised brand package rather than one-off items. Working with an OEM supplier allows you to:

• Develop a set of standard vanity designs that can be rolled out across multiple properties.
• Align finishes and dimensions with LED mirrors, mirror cabinets and heated towel racks.
• Ensure consistent documentation: shop drawings, installation guides, test reports and packing lists.
• Optimise packing and shipping for international projects, reducing damage and handling cost.

Plan Your Next Hotel Vanity Package

Choosing the right bathroom vanity for hotel projects is a balance of design intent, engineering detail and long-term performance. By clarifying room-type standards, selecting robust materials and working closely with an OEM partner, you can deliver bathrooms that impress guests while staying under control on cost and maintenance.

If you are planning a new build, renovation or brand refresh, the Bergoto team can help you develop a coordinated package of bathroom vanities, LED mirrors and electric towel warmers tailored to your brand standards and project schedule.