Doubletree--Reid Park, Tucson, Arizona

• Clearly there were not enough towel racks. Well, 3 people x (2 shower towels + 1 hot tub towel) = okay, maybe the problem was too many towels.
• The shower wall was too dark. I didn’t trust it.
• I don’t think there was a shelf in this shower at all. The horror!
• Oh, and that window! It gets surprisingly cold in Arizona! Don’t put a window above the shower! Excessive heat loss.
• Water pressure and temperature were okay!

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/TUSBTDT-DoubleTree-by-Hilton-Hotel-Tucson-Reid-Park-Arizona/accommodations.do

Marriott Marina Del Rey, California

• Good water pressure, for California!
• Not great heat.
• Tub walls too high.
• Showerhead too high.
• Insufficient towel racks.
• Fun fact: They use the same type of shower curtain as the Renaissance in China. I know this because they both had a tag that read “Hospital Shower Curtain.”

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-rooms/laxmb-marina-del-rey-marriott/

Tangla, Beijing, China

Remember all of those great things I said about China the other day, loyal reader? Well, not every Chinese hotel is the Tianjin Renaissance…

• This shower also featured the handheld showerhead/rain shower combo. But, the rain shower was the only real option.
• Massive, massive flooding.
• The handheld showerhead would only stay on the wall if it was pointing its weird high pressure vertical strip of water directly at a hole in the glass shower sealing.
• The rain shower also floods the bathroom, but not as badly.
• So, no real choice but the rain shower! Which is just stupid for actual showering. It’s not like you can stand under the entire thing. In order to be in any position that allows the occasional breath, you’re only going to be under a small fraction of the water. Which means it essentially becomes a regular showerhead, only it pours directly down--usually at low pressure, is inconveniently right in the middle of the shower, and you can’t move it.
• Tiny, tiny shelves (note my collection of showering products on the floor).

http://www.tanglahotels.com/en_kf3.asp

Sheraton Grand Sacramento, Sacramento, California

• I remember nothing about this shower. I only remember wanting to leave Sacramento as soon as possible. And that I bought really great sunglasses on this trip!
• So, it was okay I guess.
• Unless anyone remembers me complaining about it.
• Anybody?
• Anybody?

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/features/index.html?propertyID=1247

Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview, Tianjin, China

All the proof you need that China will one day overtake us is in this shower!

At first glance, it is everything I hate about showers: handheld showerhead, rain shower, glass doors that probably leak. Look again!

• The handheld showerhead stayed in place! And, more importantly, it stayed in the place I put it. I finally understand what every other hotel has been trying to do with their adjustable showerheads! The Chinese may lack certain freedoms, but they are free to choose the height and angle of their showerheads. (If they are staying in luxury hotels.)
• Rain shower. Optional! After taking an effective and efficient shower with the abovementioned showerhead, you can turn on the rain shower! The Chinese get it! It is not for getting any actual showering done. The rain shower is just for fun!
• Glass doors. Actually contained all of the water. Credit is also due to the floor ledge—perfect height!
• See that shelf in the shower that is holding all of my stuff? It’s at the perfect height for me!
• See that handle? Great location! Also note my hanging loofah. It can completely dry out from that position. It’s not touching the wall!
• And! It had a separate GIANT bathtub (not pictured).

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tsnlv-renaissance-tianjin-lakeview-hotel/