Case Study: Inside The Secret Garden I Spa-Inspired Bathrooms Bathshack

From Tired Coastal House to Boutique Retreat: Inside The Secret Garden, Donaghadee

Anyone who’s ever stayed somewhere really good knows the feeling. You step out of the shower, wrap yourself in a towel, and think, “I could get used to this.”
That was exactly the reaction William Kane wanted guests to have at The Secret Garden in Donaghadee.

When he first took on the property, it was a far cry from the calm, experience-led retreat it is today. It was dated, a little tired, and missing that sense of escape people look for when they book a coastal break. William’s goal wasn’t just to renovate, it was to create something guests would remember long after checkout.

And for him, the bathrooms were never an afterthought.

The Brief: Creating a Stay Worth Talking About

The Secret Garden was a full internal and external renovation, reworked from the ground up into a premium short-term rental. William wanted it to feel more like a boutique hotel than a holiday let, a place where people could properly switch off.

From day one, the brief was clear:

A luxury guest experience without feeling showy
A strong focus on wellness and relaxation
Spaces that feel calm, warm and considered
Materials that could handle frequent guest use without fuss

Every decision came back to one question: How will this feel for the guest?

The Challenge: Designing for Guests

Designing bathrooms for your own home is one thing. Designing them for constant guest turnover is another.

The challenge here was balance. The bathrooms needed to feel indulgent and special, but they also had to stand up to real-life use, suitcases, sandy feet, long showers, quick turnarounds between stays.

There were practical considerations too:

Keeping layouts open and intuitive
Making cleaning and maintenance easy
Avoiding anything too trend-led or delicate
Creating a consistent look across multiple bathrooms

Nothing could be chosen just because it looked good on a moodboard.

The Vision: Bathrooms That Feel Like Part of the Escape

Rather than treating the bathroom as purely a functional space, William wanted it to be part of the experience, somewhere guests could slow down, unwind, and reset.

The inspiration came from boutique hotels and wellness retreats, with an emphasis on:

Calm, spa-like atmospheres
Clean architectural lines
Warm, natural tones
Subtle texture rather than bold pattern
Lighting that works just as well for a morning rush as an evening soak

Turning Ideas into Reality with Bathshack

William already had a strong sense of what he wanted before visiting the Bathshack Shore Road showroom, but seeing materials in person helped refine the details, especially tile size, finish, and colour tone.

Rather than copying showroom displays, selections were tailored to suit the personality of The Secret Garden and how the bathrooms would actually be used. Timeless finishes and easy-care materials were prioritised throughout.

In the main bathroom spaces, Iron White Matt 60 x 120cm Rectified Porcelain Tiles were used to create a soft, calming backdrop. The larger format helps the rooms feel more open and reduces grout lines, a small detail that makes a big difference over time.

To add depth without overwhelming the space, Iron Blue Matt tiles were introduced on the floor and as a feature behind the vanity. The result is a gentle contrast that adds interest while keeping the overall feel relaxed and cohesive

A Cohesive Look Throughout the Home

Bathrooms weren’t the only focus. Every tiled surface throughout The Secret Garden came from Bathshack, helping the whole property feel joined-up rather than pieced together.

In the living areas, Ziran White Matt 90 x 90cm Rectified Porcelain Tiles were chosen to keep things bright, open and easy to maintain, ideal for a coastal setting where practicality matters just as much as style.

Adding Character Without Overdoing It

One of the standout features in the bathrooms is the feature wall behind the freestanding bath, finished in Iron Tropic Brown Matt porcelain tiles.

It’s a subtle nod to the indoor–outdoor theme that runs through the property, echoing the garden setting without feeling literal or themed. The warmer tones soften the space and make it feel inviting, perfect for long soaks at the end of the day.

All tiles used were Spanish-made porcelain, chosen for their finish quality and durability, a must for a high-use rental environment.

Practical Design That Works Behind the Scenes

The bathroom was carefully planned to make sure it worked just as well on day 500 as it did on day one.

Key considerations included:

Maximising natural and artificial light
Keeping layouts clear and intuitive
Integrating storage without clutter
Minimising grout lines
Choosing finishes that clean easily

These aren’t the details guests always notice consciously, but they’re the reason the spaces feel good to use.

Results: Bathrooms Guests Actually Mention

Since opening, feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive. Many comment specifically on the bathrooms, something that doesn’t happen unless they’ve made an impression.

Guests often mention how calm and luxurious the spaces feel. That attention to detail reinforces the premium feel of the entire stay.

William has been just as pleased with how everything has performed.

“The quality, durability, and overall finish have exceeded expectations. Everything feels robust and well made, exactly what you want in a high-use environment.”

It’s a confidence that’s led him to specify Bathshack again across several additional rental properties.

Expert Insight: Bathroom Renovation Advice from William

For anyone planning a bathroom renovation, especially for self-builds, hospitality spaces, or rental properties, William shares three key pieces of advice:

Design with the End User in Mind

Always think about how the space will be experienced, not just how it will look.

Invest in Quality Materials

Durability, ease of maintenance, and timeless finishes will always outperform trend-led shortcuts.

Visit Showrooms Before You Decide

Seeing products in person makes a huge difference and helps visualise how everything will come together.

“If I could change anything,” William adds, “it would simply be allowing even more time at the planning stage. The process ran smoothly, but more time upfront always pays dividends in the final result.”

Thinking About Your Own Project?

Whether you’re renovating a rental, a forever home, or something in between, thoughtful bathroom design makes a bigger impact than most people expect.

Bathshack has everything you need, from freestanding baths and vanity units to wetroom screens, toilets, and even kitchen sinks.

Pop into your local Bathshack showroom, have a chat with the team, and see what works for your space, no pressure, just practical advice from people who know bathrooms inside out.

Because when it’s done right, it’s the room everyone remembers.