Bathtubs are a drain on hotel resources

Splashing out hundreds of litres for a single ablution as the world faces a water shortage simply does not wash in these conscientious times.

So, it comes as no surprise that bathtubs are being thrown out in favour of better usage of bathwater - by way of showers - by on-trend hotel chains, not only in India but globally. Of course, India can claim the moral high ground on the issue, as bath receptacles in this country have been traditionally limited to buckets and mugs - albeit both plastic, nowadays.

Therefore, as bathing statistics go, nothing beats typical Indian frugality: contrast a bucket's maximum of 30 litres to a bathtub's standard 250-litre capacity.

Indeed, even a typical American-style shower's average of 100 litres seems a better progression on the bathtub curve of ablutionary practices than the European ancien régime's submersive customs.

As an overwhelming 85% of guests worldwide sprinkle rather than soak these days - which translates into considerable space, water and installation cost savings for hotels - sinking investments into tubs in these recessive times simply does not hold water.

Besides, hotels must be aware that ancient Rome's wasteful obsession with enormous baths is regarded by some historians as one of the reasons for the whole empire eventually going down the drain.