When you go on vacation, the 2 of the most important things you have on your mind is relaxing and having a good time. For many people this translates into participating in a fun activity such as swimming.
Now, you may be thinking that most guests come with their own bathing suits, but the truth is that they seem to forget them more often than we would assume. Whether it’s because it just slipped their mind or because it’s been misplaced or broken, imagine the gratitude they’ll feel when they find out that the hotel they stay carries bathing suits. It adds to the services of the hotel.
Another very common reason behind the guests needing a bathing suit, is because if they choose to go on vacation during the winter season, they most likely weren’t thinking about going swimming. It’s a real shame when they can’t enjoy the pool (if your hotel has an indoor pool).
At Caractere, we have produced our line of Disposable bathing suits, and no, you’re not supposed to throw them away (you can recycle them) after just one use, they can last months if they’re properly taken care of, but if they are washed too many times it can start to stretch too much.
We have 4 different styles: 2 for women (bikini and one-piece) and 2 for men (boxer-cut shorts and stretchy brief-style shorts). All in black, as we think it’s the most versatile and fashionable color. Lined with a comfortable, protective layer of soft white mesh fabric in the crotch area and inside the supported cups, the bust size generally corresponds to the size of the suit: A-B for Small, C-D for Medium, etc., but the cut is generous enough to allow a wide range of users to feel comfortable.
The padded bra section offers complete discretion even when wet, and the elastic waist area ensures that these swimsuits will flatter your guests with a lovely silhouette.
And the best thing? We have all sizes available from XS (extra small) to XXL (extra extra large).
It might not seem like the most imporant thing, but it’s surely a detail that your guests will really appreciate and rave about, as nowdays only the most expensive and luxurious hotels offer this option.
Flat Sheet
Non woven and resistant \ Biodegradable \Hypoallergenic \ 100% recyclable. No more stains or hairs. Unbeatable hygiene and cleanliness.
Pillow Case
Waterproof or Non-Waterproof \ Non woven \ 15 cm easy close flap. Clean and hygienic, this pillow case offers you a real second skin feel to your pillow. 50X75 cm or 60X60 cm.
Slipper
The prestige of their velvet feel with a thick and soft sole. Available in 3 size ranges for all clients.
Swim Shorts
Offer your clients the option of buying emergency swim shorts at an affordable price.
Fitted Sheet
Non woven and resistant \ Biodegradable \Hypoallergenic \ 100% recyclable. These fitted sheets give your mattress the perfect protection from any external contact.
Wash Mitt
Extremely soft, absorbent and flexible. This disposable wash mitt will ensure perfect cleanliness. Spun-lace textile. 16X29 cm.
Bathrobe
Made from absorbtex with a spun lace finish. Single sized, for men & women. Very soft and absorbent. Perfect for your clients.
Disposable Thong
Non woven \ Hypoallergenic \ Soft and resistant. Ideal for physiotherapists, masseurs, therapists, costumes, beauty salons…
Waterproof Mattress Protector
Non woven and resistant \ Biodegradable \Hypoallergenic\ 100% recyclable. Protect your mattresses 100% from liquids and oils with these waterproof protectors.
Bath Towels
Super absorbent & very soft towels, to dry-up or wrap around oneself in a comfortable way.
One Piece Swimsuit
95% Polyester, 5% Elastane. Available in one colour for men & women. Sizes: S/M/L/XL/2XL
Baby Sleeping Bags
Non Woven \ For 2-18 month old babies \ Hypoallergenic. Meets all the necessary characteristics for baby safety.
All products are disposable, recyclable, and presented in individual sealed bags with a label specifying product and size.
2 Rue Léon Mauvais · ZI de la Barbière · 93600 Aulnay sous Bois · Tél. 020 3608 1542 · Fax. 00 33 1 49 89 01 84
Are you the owner or manager of a spa, hot tub or pool, or do you provide showers and air conditioning for your clients? Make sure you are fully aware of the dangers of legionnaire’s disease and the risks to your clients, and understand what your legal obligations are.
What exactly is Legionnaire’s Disease?
legionella
Legionnaire’s disease is a serious disease caused by a tiny aquatic organism which thrives in warm, damp environments. It can be inhaled in fine droplets, leading to pneumonia and a high fever. As the disease takes up to 10 days to develop many other people may be infected before it is realised that anything is amiss. Air conditioning systems, humidifiers, nebulisers, ornamental fountains and many other types of equipment containing water may also be sources of legionnaire’s disease.
How can it be prevented?
A spare swimsuit for pool to keep the pool clean.
Because of its long incubation period an outbreak is easier to prevent than to control and there are strict regulations in place to safeguard public health. The essential feature is a controlled system of regular testing and keeping water systems clean. Although legionella bacteria can be found in many sources, including fresh water, it becomes dangerous when slime is allowed to develop and when the temperature reaches 35-45 degrees centigrade.
What are my legal obligations?
According to www.hse.gov.uk, under general Health and Safety law you are obliged to maintain your water systems in good condition and assess the risk of a problem developing. This means drawing up a risk assessment, identifying potential sources of legionnaire’s disease and preparing a course of action to monitor that risk. You must keep accurate records and be able to prove you are taking your responsibilities seriously.
If you employ five people or more, you must have a written risk assessment and keep careful records of your monitoring of the water system. Make sure you have a responsible person do this and that all your staff know the correct way to use equipment.
Keep the system and the water clean, and avoid a situation where an outbreak could develop. Keep the water too hot for the bacteria to survive or add an antibacterial solution to prevent growth.
Consider employing a firm of consultants to check your supply.
-Welcome slippers have become an essential amenity for accommodations that provide all the comforts of home.
-In addition to custom orders (starting with 20 pairs), we offer a wide range of slipper sizes, in white, black, standard, deluxe and logo-personalised models.
The coasts of the Scandinavian countries, and those of Norway in particular, are world renown for their spectacular fjords and incomparable views. More often than not, visitors opt to experience their magnificence from below, either on coastline cruise boats or in small canoes. However, as experienced hiker Bill Russell points out, taking “hikes into the surrounding mountains… really provides the visitor the fullest opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of the area in a special way not available by boats alone… it’s a glorious experience viewing the fjords from above.” In fact, he goes as far as to say, “Fjord hiking is the experience of a lifetime.” With over 15,000 miles of coastline and thousands of fjords, fortunately one could never run out of new sites to explore.
Meloyfjord Sunset from Amnes
Sounds intriguing, no? If unfamiliar, you might be wondering what a fjord is exactly and about the origin of their funny name. The word “fjord” comes from Indo-European origins, with fara meaning travelling or ferrying. The Old Norse adaptation of this verb, fjǫrðr (or fjord) indicates a body of water that resembles a lake, often used for cruise and ferry ship transit. In geological terms, the name defines a lengthy, thin inlet surrounded by cliffs of steep hills or mountains. Fjords were created thanks to thousands of years of glacial melting since the last ice age. In fact, as the glaciers melted, through the abrasive pressure exerted by their weight on the land below the ice, the glaciers carved out deep tunnels. After they melted, these tunnels eventually became submerged by the sea. At the same time, this intense pressure pushed the surrounding land upward, creating the picturesque views that enthuse many a traveller to visit Norway today.
Bergen from the Fløibanen Funicular
Often, hikers begin their voyages in Bergen, considered by many one of the world’s most beautiful cities and the “gateway to the fjord country.” Rich in an elegant mix of classic Norwegian style and the new minimalist Scan school of architecture, with plenty of cultural institutions, Norway’s second largest city has enough to offer on its own to be worth a visit. However, it’s the city’s proximity to the fjords that interests most tourists.
Sognefjord, Norway, just outside of Bergen
Given the mountainous terrain, one can expect to travel an average of five to eight miles (11-18 km) per day. Waterfalls, rolling streams and quaint cabins line the journey. From Bergen, one can reach Sognefjord in a day, the world’s third longest fjord (the longest in Norway) at 203 km (136 mi) and the second deepest (again, the record holder for Norway) at 1,308 m (4,291 ft). The surrounding mountains rise another 1,000 metres (3,281 miles), providing unrivalled views of the coast from every perspective. However, don’t let what sounds like a steep incline intimidate you — there are hiking paths available for every fitness level, from the professional to the amateur.
Geirangerfjord, Norway
Further north along the coast, the Atlantic road continues along some of the country’s most beautiful and lesser known fjords. The Troll’s Road, Trollstigen, was a feat of modern engineering when constructed. It cuts directly into the Andalsnes mountain with hairpin turns, surrounded by waterfalls that have been described as “simply breathtaking.” Trollstigen leads to Geiranger, where many view the remarkable Geirangfjord from boat. Experienced travellers boast that the best vistas are from the trails north of Hellyslt. While in the area, the neighbouring Strynevatnet Lake contains gorgeous waters of a unique turquoise colour that cannot be found elsewhere. Also, the peaceful rural town of Hjelle serves as a perfect point to stop and rest.
Sørfjord and Lofthus in Hardanger
One cannot go wrong by continuing along the Panorama Road, which wraps around the Gamle Strynefellsvegen fjord a third of a mile above sea level with stunningly picturesque views. Not to miss: the Kjenndal, Loen, Olden and Briksdal Glaciers. The nearby Saebo and Hjorundfjord sport some of the most remarkable views in all of Norway. With an extremely steep incline (nearly vertical), one is left with the feeling of floating on top of the world. The Highway 60 that passes by Geirangerfjord and Sunnylvsfjord sports what has the reputation of “one of the best vista spots in Norway.” Vinnufossen, in the neighbouring region of Sunndalsora, is the sixth tallest waterfall in the world. The gorgeous, protected Amotan Park will help visitors reconnect with nature, in addition to offering more scenic valleys with impressive waterfalls and a highly recommended hiking trail, the Trodalen.
Stigen Farm, Aurlandsfjord
If you have yet to book the next flight to Oslo, listen to a short excerpt of one hiker’s experience of the fjords: “We hike past mountain farms, similar to the one situated 600 meters above Simadalsfjorden and only reachable by foot until the beginning of the 1970’s. We glimpse these old farm houses, where you can see how your ancestors used to live, and where it is still possible to meet people who protect the local song heritage by singing the old tunes, and by playing the Hardangerfiddle.
Mountain pasture on the Geiranger Fjord
“As we hike along the heritage trails in Ulvik, in the hills and mountains that surround the village, you get to know more about life in the area in the days gone by. The trails beckon and the high pastures where flocks of sheep graze, clear streams, blue lakes, and striking mountains provide hikers with plenty of off-the-beaten track adventures.”
Sounds delightful! At Caractère, we offer a variety of items to make your fjord hiking experience easier and more comfortable. Our products include supplies designed for rural guest houses and camp sites, which range from disposable sheets and blankets to towels and baby hygiene products. For those who plan to take advantage of Scandinavia’s world renown saunas and spas, we also provide massage wear, slippers, sandals, bathrobes and towels. Comfortable, recyclable and easy to use, you cannot go wrong with disposable supplies from Caractère. Best of all, we ship anywhere in Europe, including the UK and Norway. If you choose to go, have a wonderful trip and please write to us about your travels.
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Yet again, the origin lies in the name. Thermos, the Greek word for “heat,” situates itself among many concepts recovered and recycled from ancient Greece by the Romans, who popularised the communal bath system during the fifth century BC. Initially, the Romans privatised the baths’ use for the elites, such as Senators and merchants. Ahead of their time in terms of hygiene, as with most things, the Romans discovered the basic health benefits of thermal baths by the first century. However, the use of spas on a mass scale took until the Empire of Augustus, who was advised by Agrippa to make his generals frequently take cold baths. With the trust of the Emperor won, the ‘public bath’ concept was born.
The Baths at Caracalla
The first spas spread rapidly throughout the Empire, transforming into a popular site of congregation and socialisation for members of every profession, social class and milieu. While originally known for its health and hygiene functions, the spa soon became an indispensable component for a healthy society — a sort of community centre and meeting place all-in-one, where all types of relationships and business intermingled. The sense of relaxation and intimacy provided by this place, designed with attention to architectural detail unimaginable today, was elaborated by an entranceway with restrooms, exercise areas, a primitive version of a locker room, saunas and steam rooms, and three deep basin pools filled with water of different temperatures: one hot, one warm to tepid and one cold. Through the various rooms, guests could benefit from Roman thermal baths in nearly identical ways to how visitors to the modern version of the spa do today.
Roman Baths of Diocletian
In continuous use until roughly the sixth century, which depended on their location, many of the Roman baths were destroyed or neglected during the disintegration of the empire. Over the Medieval period, given the mounting support for Christian morality, modesty, and the intolerance for promiscuity, the baths were often transformed into monasteries. One such example is the Baths of Diocletian, the largest of any baths built in Rome, which could at one time accommodate up to 3,000 bathers, was transformed into a series of religious buildings during the sixteenth century.
During the twelfth century, the repair of many older spas and the opening of new ones were undertaken, mainly in the Tuscan and Emilia-Romagna regions, which to this day remain the regions of Italy with the highest concentration of spas. The Baths of Casciana and those of di Lucca, originally property of the Countess Matilde, count among the many examples. Their use was once private, with a four week long treatment that consisted of various baths between 30 minutes to two hours, with the time gradually decreased over the period of treatment. The principle behind this very exact regimen remains a mystery, but it is believed to date back to Hippocrates’ Theory of Humours, which attempted to treat symptoms of disease with their exact opposite. For example, sulphur-rich water was used to treat skin infections, and waters rich with minerals were intended to cure infertility. The steam rooms were also a very popular cure for body odour linked to sweat.
Contemprary Spa in Porretta
Renaissance thinkers and artisans rediscovered the classical charm and advanced theories (for their time) of Greco-Roman cultures, which put considerable pressure on local leaders, such as princes and lords, to ameliorate the former spas in terms of structural features and artistic design, but their use remained essentially non-medical, for example at the Porretta spa in Emilia. Later, during the age of imperialism, and especially after the remains of Pompeii coincidentally surfaced in 1779, a romantic vision of Roman culture led many elites of the era to want to reinterpret their lifestyle and customs. Numerous paintings on display at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris exhibit this viewpoint, where the term, “a century of the baths,” denotes the formation of a well-defined civil society.
Roman Baths in Bath, England
Since the late nineteenth century, due to medical progress and experimentation, along with the gradual gentrification of society, leaders regained a sense of social obligation for hygiene, even if this obligation remained limited to the privileged classes. Not only did the nobles of Europe rediscover the therapeutic sense of a day at the spa, but also a dimension of overall well-being, which included body, mind and spirit. In the modern era, scientific progress proved the advantages of combined therapies, exemplified by the importance and variety of today’s wellness centres and spas. For example, those suffering from chronic illness in Northern Italy have deemed the Baths of Casciana in Pisa an indispensable part of rehabilitation. Other well-preserved spas from the Roman era preserved a fun and relaxing attitude, such as the hot springs of Saturnia or Petriolo, openly accessible by all ages and social classes for recreational as well as therapeutic use. (Baths of Caracalla by the German painter L. Alma Tadema)
An interesting phenomenon over the past few years has been the rise of specialty spas
Bath, England at night
flanked by villas and boutique hotels that offer a mix of public baths and private therapeutic services, often catered by a specialized team with experience in medical treatments, physical therapy, massages and other services. While non-clinical in nature, these specialised spas advertise custom treatments and wellness programs in targeted sessions of a few days to weeks, in a naturally pleasant environment to rejuvenate both body and spirit.
Some other locations where original Roman spas can be found in abundance include France, England, Germany, Spain and Turkey. Here is a list of some such locations, many still functioning in their original capacities today and others renovated or redesigned for other uses, as provided by Wikipedia:
United Kingdom: Bath – Roman Baths; Exeter, Devon; Leicester – Jewry Wall; Ribchester, in Lancashire; Tripontium, near today’s Rugby, Warwickshire; Welwyn, in Hertfordshire; Chedworth; Fishbourne Roman Palace; and York.
France: Arles – Thermes de Constantin; Glanum, near today’s Saint-Rémy-de-Provence; and Paris – Thermes de Cluny.
Germany: Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg; Trier; and Weißenburg.
Italy: Baths of Agrippa, Baths of Caracalla, Baths of Diocletian, Baths of Titus, Baths of Trajan, Pompeii (ruins), and Herculaneum.
Spain: Caldes de Malavella, Gerona; Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona; Clunia, Burgos; and Lucus Augusti, Lugo.
How many times have you heard the question, “I’ve forgotten my bathing suit, do you happen to have any spares”? Guests constantly pose this inquiry to hotel staff, who often must answer, to the guests’ dismay, with a simple “no.” Otherwise, they tell the guest to look elsewhere, for example in a department store or the souvenir shop down the road. A survey conducted in 2004 by Travelodge revealed that while up to 75% of tourists in Britain reported the availability of a gym plays a deciding factor in their selection of a resort or hotel, only 32% of guests actually use these spaces. What’s worse, while many consider pools important in their hotel choice, only 22% of guests ever take a dip.
Men's sport shorts
These figures translate into a major loss for consumers, who in turn feel disappointed by the fact that they have to pay for ever higher room prices, which must be raised by owners to support services that the guests cannot even use. According to the same study, cumulatively, travellers in the UK waste up to £186 million every year on goods and services they don’t need, want or use at the resorts and hotels where they stay. About 1/6th of that wasted money, or £29 million, is spent annually on unused wellness amenities, for the maintenance of pools, saunas, gyms and fitness equipment that sit empty and must be constantly updated to conform with the latest trends and technological innovations.
One-Piece Bathing Suit
Girl's Bikini
How can hotel managers ensure their guests enjoy their stay and don’t regret their choice of establishment? Of course, they can do this by allowing guests to take advantage of the location’s amenities. Caractère Paris offers a variety of reusable emergency bathing suits and work out apparel for hotels to offer or sell to their clients. High end properties usually give out the bathing suits for free, considering their cost included in the price of the room. Basic level lodging can choose to charge a nominal fee for these extra bathing suits, which the clients normally won’t mind paying in order to take advantage of the amenities that sold them on the hotel.
Boy's swim shorts
In terms of selection, there are both Two-Piece Bikini swimsuits and One-Piece “scoop” cut solids, available in a range of sizes that will fit every size and shape of woman. Caractere also offers two different styles for men, the stretchy and fashionable Brief-style bathing suits popular throughout Europe, and the less-traditional, American Boxer-style swim trunks. Between the four styles, almost every conceivable age, body type and fashion sense is covered. Available in sets of 6 or in the 50 piece starter value pack, these bathing suits become an indespensible asset to your guests. For children, Caractere Paris offers boys’ swim trunks and girls’ bikini swimsuits in several sizes. All come in black because among consumers, it’s the colour most universally accepted. Your guests will love the comfort and style of these suits, for which they’ll thank you for covering all the bases and thinking of the quality of their stay.
Caractere Hostellerie UK 