You know the feeling. You walk into a bathroom at a high-end hotel in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, and it just feels… different. It’s solid, serene, and immaculately put together. Then you go home, and your bathroom, even if it’s newly remodelled, feels flimsy by comparison.

What’s the secret?

It isn’t just about spending a ton of money. It’s about spending it on the right things. After more than a decade building luxury bathrooms across L.A., I can tell you it boils down to a few key choices that separate a bathroom that looks good now from one that feels luxurious for the next ten years.

Here is what truly matters.

1. Go Big on Tile (And Banish Grout)

The number one enemy of a luxury bathroom is grout. It gets dirty, stains, cracks, and instantly makes a space look busy and old. High-end hotels know this, which is why they use large-format porcelain or stone tiles—think 24×48 inches or even full wall slabs. Fewer lines create a serene, seamless surface that feels expansive and is incredibly easy to clean. Insider Tip: Always choose “rectified” porcelain tile. Its edges are perfectly straight, allowing for razor-thin grout lines (1/16 inch) that are almost invisible, giving you that stunning, single-surface look.

2. Invest in “Heavy Metal” (Your Fixtures)

This is what you touch every single day, and your hands can feel the difference between quality and junk. Most off-the-shelf faucets are made of zinc or plastic with a thin chrome plating that will inevitably chip and corrode. We insist on using fixtures made of solid brass. They have a satisfying heft and a durable finish (like PVD) that resists scratches and tarnish for years. This is a splurge you will feel and appreciate every single day.

3. Get a Floating Vanity and a Solid Countertop

A heavy, floor-bound vanity makes a bathroom feel cramped. The signature of a modern luxury hotel is a floating vanity. It opens up the floor space, making the room feel larger and much easier to clean. Pair this with a single, solid slab of quartz or stone. A seamless surface with an undermount sink is non-negotiable—it’s clean, elegant, and has no lips or seams to collect grime..

4.  Master The Lighting

A single, harsh vanity light is a classic renovation mistake that screams “amateur.” Luxury hotels use layers of light to create mood. You need at least three:

General Light: An overhead recessed light for overall illumination.

ask Light:T Bright, vertical sconces on both sides of the mirror to eliminate shadows on your face.

Accent Light: A separate, dimmable light in the shower or over the tub to create a soft, spa-like glow.

5. Don’t Skimp on the Glass

This is the secret that makes a bathroom feel twice as big. Forget the flimsy, framed shower doors with aluminum tracks that rattle and collect gunk. A true luxury bathroom features thick (3/8-inch or 1/2-inch), heavy, frameless glass. The hardware should be minimal and solid. It’s a timeless look that showcases your beautiful tile work and makes the entire space feel like an open, airy spa.

Luxury Isn’t an Accident. It’s a Formula.

As you can see, that five-star hotel feeling isn’t magic. It’s a formula—a series of smart, strategic investments in durability and the daily user experience.

We specialize in implementing this formula, guiding our clients to the choices that deliver both immediate “wow” factor and decades of lasting value.

If you’re ready to stop dreaming about a hotel-quality bathroom and start planning one, let’s talk.

Schedule your free, no-obligation design consultation.

P.S. When we talk, be sure to ask me about the one type of popular floor tile I would almost never recommend for a master bathroom. This one piece of advice could save you from years of cleaning headaches.