Charlie and Julia Hutchings decided to move from fast-paced life in London to East Devon in 2000 to set up a luxury bed and breakfast at Larkbeare Grange, a beautiful Georgian house with stunning grounds. With Charlie enjoying a successful career in the five-star hotel business and Julia having a wonderful eye for décor, the pair were in the perfect position to start their own B&B business.
The couple wanted their B&B to be a space enjoyed by everyone, including people with limited mobility. As their Georgian property wasn’t the right size and shape to make accessible, Charlie and Julia built a separate self-catering property called The Granary in the grounds of the B&B.
The ground-floor lodge features high quality finishes, a modern, clean aesthetic and space for a wheelchair to navigate through the property with ease. The aim of the self-catering lodge is to create an inclusive, luxury holiday experience, something which is hugely important to Charlie and Julia.
The bathroom experience
Providing a comfortable and hygienic bathroom experience for guests is a vital part of the planning process for any B&B or hotel owner, and this was no different for Charlie and Julia. They were looking for a solution that would upgrade their bathroom facilities and improve guest satisfaction while remaining accessible.
Geberit’s AquaClean shower toilet offers a unique and innovative way of cleaning with a gentle water spray, leaving the user feeling refreshed and clean. With a heated seat and adjustable water temperature, Julia and Charlie knew the AquaClean would add to the luxury feel that runs throughout The Granary, and it would be a unique selling point for potential guests.
Charlie said: “The Granary is completely accessible. We have level one status from the National Accessibility Scheme, which means there are accessible features throughout the property suitable for people with limited mobility. We already have Geberit products throughout the self-catering property, so the decision to go with the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet was a no brainer. It has upped our game big time and gives a complete luxurious feel for our guests.
“As I’ve worked in the hotel industry all my life, I know how important the bathroom experience is for guests. That’s why all our bathrooms have baths as well as a walk-in shower, and the main bathroom in The Granary has a wet room with a TV at the end of the bath too. Adding the AquaClean into the mix has moved the whole bathroom up a level. As well as being accessible, it looks amazing and is really hygienic.”
Using the Geberit AquaClean also helps Larkbeare Grange to be more environmentally friendly, as shower toilets reduce consumption of natural materials. Switching to a shower toilet reduces the amount of wood pulp used in the manufacture of toilet paper by 61kg a year. Cleaning with water also uses less water than the production of toilet paper which requires 2,350 litres per household per year compared to the AquaClean Whirlspray, which uses just 1,500.
Why Geberit AquaClean
In addition to improving the guest experience at The Granary, the AquaClean toilet also delivers practical benefits that a traditional toilet cannot compete with. It provides a complete clean with a gentle shower of water and the shower function is adjustable, allowing guests to customise the water pressure and temperature to their preference. The shower toilet also features a warm air dryer which can be set at five different temperature levels.
The AquaClean toilet range is designed to complement any bathroom style. They are easy to install and maintain, ensuring the guest experience is heightened.
Conclusion
The installation of Geberit's AquaClean toilet at Larkbeare Grange was a success, providing both practical and aesthetic benefits. Charlie and Julia are pleased with the upgrade and would recommend the AquaClean toilet to other hospitality businesses looking for high-quality bathroom facilities.
Julia said: “We’re really impressed with the AquaClean, we’ve tried it out for ourselves and I love it. It’s a brilliant, unique selling point for Larkbeare Grange, and we’re happy to shout about its benefits. The installation process was simple too, and the Geberit team have been extremely helpful throughout the buying, installation, and aftercare process.”
Discover more about the Geberit AquaClean: https://www.geberit-aquaclean.co.uk/hotel-owners/
Find out more about Larkbeare Grange: https://larkbearegranary.net/.
