When Guests Complained About Salty Drinking Water

“Our guests started leaving complaints in the feedback forms — the water in their rooms tasted salty and flat.”

That’s how a resort owner from Mahabalipuram described the issue that was troubling them.

“Even though we provided bottled water, guests expected fresh, clean water directly from the taps and dispensers. Some said they avoided making tea or coffee in their rooms because of the taste. A few even mentioned it in online reviews, and that really worried us,” he said.

The problem wasn’t the service. It was the water.
 The resort relied entirely on borewell water, which was supplied to every room, kitchen, and restaurant inside the property.

Why Did the Water Taste Salty?

We asked:
“Have you tested the TDS level of your borewell water?”
The resort hadn’t.

When tested, the results revealed the cause: over 1,000 ppm TDS, indicating extremely high levels of dissolved salts.

Here’s what that means:

  • Water with TDS above 300 ppm often tastes salty, bitter, or metallic.

  • Continuous use in cooking affects the taste of food and beverages.

  • High TDS water can also damage coffee machines, kettles, and kitchen appliances.

  • For guests expecting luxury and comfort, salt water instantly detracts from the overall experience.

And It’s Not Just About Taste

When hotel and resort guests encounter salty or unpleasant water, the risks go beyond complaints:

  • Negative online reviews → damage reputation and reduce bookings.

  • Guests avoid in-room facilities like kettles or showers, → lowers satisfaction.

  • Kitchen and restaurant water quality → directly affects food and drinks served.

  • Long-term appliance damage → increases maintenance costs.

In short, untreated borewell water was hurting both guest satisfaction and the resort’s brand image.

Our Recommendation: Whole House RO Plant for Resorts & Hotels

We suggested installing a fully automatic Whole House RO Plant sized to meet the resort’s water demand.

Unlike small filters or bottled water supply, this system:

  • Removes excess TDS and dissolved salts.

  • Supplies fresh, clean, and great-tasting water to every tap, shower, and dispenser.

  • Improves the taste of tea, coffee, and food prepared in the kitchen.

  • Protects appliances from scale buildup and salt deposits.

  • Works on automatic cycles, requiring minimal staff intervention.

Every guest — whether in their room, at the restaurant, or by the poolside café — receives the same safe, pure water.

The Result: Happier Guests, Better Reviews

Within weeks of installation, the difference was noticeable.
 “Guests now comment on how refreshing the water tastes. No more salty complaints, and our online reviews have improved,” the resort owner shared.

The staff also reported fewer maintenance issues with kettles, geysers, and kitchen appliances, thanks to the reduction in scaling.


The Takeaway: Don’t Blame the Guests, Fix the Water

If your resort or hotel faces:

  • Guest complaints about salty or bitter water

  • Negative reviews affect your reputation

  • Higher costs from bottled water or appliance repairs

  • Food and drinks are not tasting their best

…it’s time to act.

At Water Sparks, we install Whole House RO Plants for hotels and resorts, engineered to deliver safe, fresh, and great-tasting water throughout the property.

One system. One installation.
Pure water from every tap — and guests who leave with smiles, not complaints.
Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

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