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December 7, 2009—Miami, FL—The renovation of 137 guest room baths and the installation of a high-
efficiency hot water system cost the Coconut Grove Hampton Inn three quarters of a million dollars.
Seventy-six of the hotel rooms now have stall showers with frameless glass doors, a feature that guests
prefer, according to regional manager Howard Wolfson. “Exceeding guests’ expectations has always been
our mandate and visitors have been wowed by the new upscale bathroom décor.”
The renovation entailed complete demolition and removal of existing fiberglass tubs and surrounds,
wall and floor tile, wall-to-wall mirrors, suspended ceilings, and faux marble counters. The sleek
new bathrooms feature modern tiled floors and walls, water-saving shower heads, frameless shower
enclosures, new tubs, residential-style mirrors and lighting, and granite countertops set on
furniture-style lavatory bases.
All toilets are now dual-flush, a feature which, together with the shower heads, will conserve a
significant amount of water. The dual flush toilet has a split handle; half a flush (.8 gallons)
clears liquid wastes, and a full flush (1.6 gallons) disposes of solid wastes. A split hot water
system replaces the original system, installed fifteen years ago. The increased energy efficiency
is anticipated to generate substantial cost savings for the hotel, in addition to being easier on
the environment.
Christian Riofrio, the Coconut Grove Hampton Inn’s new general manager, is enthusiastic about
guests’ responses to the renovated bathrooms. “This was a perfect time to undertake this effort,
because suppliers and construction personnel were eager to do the work. Getting the work completed
this fall means we are fully ready to greet our winter season guests,” he said.
“I was very pleasantly surprised,” said Mort Singerman, a recent guest at the hotel.
“I customarily stay at the Hampton Inn in Coconut Grove when visiting Miami. Although
I’ve been a guest there many times and am always pleased with the friendly staff,
I was delighted with the upgrades to the bathrooms. The new tile, granite counter,
home-like mirror, and especially the frameless shower door, really raise the hotel
to a new level.”
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