Choosing towels for a hotel or other hospitality business involves more than selecting the softest towel available. Hotel towels need to provide a good guest experience while also coping with frequent use, repeated commercial laundering and the practical demands of housekeeping.
This guide explains the main factors to consider when sourcing hotel-quality towels, from GSM and size to durability, laundering and buying in larger quantities.
What makes a good hotel towel?
A good hotel towel needs to balance comfort, absorbency, durability and cost.
The right specification will depend on the type of property and how the towels will be used. A luxury hotel may prioritise a heavier, softer towel, while a busy accommodation business may place greater emphasis on durability, drying time and overall cost per use.
There is no single towel specification that is right for every hospitality business.
What does GSM mean for hotel towels?
GSM means grams per square metre and is commonly used to indicate the weight or density of a towel.
In general, a higher GSM towel will feel heavier and can provide a more substantial, luxurious feel. Lower GSM towels can be lighter, easier to handle and quicker to dry.
For hospitality businesses, GSM should not be considered on its own. Absorbency, construction, fibre quality, durability and laundering requirements can all affect how a towel performs.
The most suitable GSM depends on the property, guest expectations and operational requirements.
What hotel towel sizes do you need?
Hotels commonly use several different towel sizes, including:
- Hand towels
- Bath towels
- Bath sheets
- Face cloths
- Bath mats
- Pool or beach towels
The combination required depends on the property and the level of service provided to guests.
For hotels with multiple room types, it is useful to establish a consistent towel specification and keep accurate records of the sizes required. This can make repeat ordering and housekeeping stock control much easier.
Hotel bath towels: what should you consider?
Bath towels are one of the most visible textiles in a hotel bathroom, so appearance and guest comfort are important.
When choosing hotel bath towels, consider:
- Absorbency
- Softness
- GSM
- Size
- Durability
- Colour and presentation
- Commercial laundering requirements
- Drying time
- Replacement costs
- Availability for repeat orders
A towel that feels exceptionally soft when new may not necessarily be the most suitable option if it does not withstand frequent washing.
Buying hotel towels in bulk
Hotels, serviced apartments and other accommodation businesses may need hotel towels in substantial quantities, particularly when opening a property, refurbishing rooms or replacing an existing towel range.
When buying bulk hotel towels, look beyond the initial unit price.
The total cost of a towel programme can be affected by:
- Product lifespan
- Washing frequency
- Laundry costs
- Replacement rates
- Stock requirements
- Consistency of future supply
- Delivery arrangements
Buying a durable towel that continues to perform well after repeated laundering can be more important than choosing the cheapest product available.
Hotel towels and commercial laundering
Hospitality towels are washed frequently, so laundering should be considered when choosing a specification.
Factors to consider include the washing process, drying method, frequency of laundering and the detergents or chemicals used.
Towels that are used every day in a busy hotel environment need to withstand repeated washing while maintaining acceptable absorbency, appearance and performance.
It is therefore sensible to consider the entire lifecycle of the towel rather than assessing it only when new.
White or coloured hotel towels?
White remains a widely used choice for hotel towels because it provides a clean, consistent appearance and can fit easily into a range of bathroom styles.
Coloured towels can also be appropriate for particular hospitality environments, including spas, gyms, leisure facilities and properties with a specific interior design scheme.
When choosing colours, consider the property’s branding, laundering arrangements and the availability of replacement stock.
How many towels does a hotel need?
The required quantity depends on room numbers, occupancy, towel changes and laundry arrangements.
Hotels generally need more towels than are currently in guest rooms because clean stock must be available while used towels are being collected, laundered and returned.
This is often considered as part of a property’s linen par level.
The correct stock level will vary between properties. A hotel with frequent room turnover or slower laundry turnaround may require more reserve stock than a property with lower occupancy or faster laundry processing.
Hotel towel procurement and sourcing
Sourcing towels for a hospitality business is an ongoing commercial decision.
Before choosing a hotel towel supplier, consider:
- The required towel sizes
- GSM and construction
- Expected usage
- Commercial laundering
- Required quality level
- Budget
- Quantity required
- Replacement rates
- Availability for repeat orders
- Delivery requirements
- Whether embroidery or personalisation is required
- Whether towels need to coordinate with other hospitality textiles
Clear specifications make it easier to compare products and obtain accurate quotations.
Hotel-quality towels for different hospitality businesses
Different types of accommodation and hospitality businesses can have different towel requirements.
Hotels
Hotels may need coordinated towel ranges across multiple rooms, with consistent sizing, quality and presentation.
Serviced apartments and holiday accommodation
Serviced accommodation often needs practical, durable towels that can cope with regular guest turnover and frequent laundering.
Spas and leisure facilities
Spas, gyms and leisure businesses may require larger quantities of towels and may use different sizes for treatment rooms, changing areas, pools or gyms.
Villas and premium holiday accommodation
Higher-end villas and holiday accommodation may place particular emphasis on softness, weight, appearance and the overall guest experience.
Should you choose the heaviest towel?
Not necessarily.
A heavier towel can provide a more substantial feel, but it can also require more drying time and may increase handling and laundry requirements.
For a busy hospitality operation, the best towel is not necessarily the heaviest towel. The appropriate balance between guest comfort, absorbency, durability, drying time and cost is more important.
Personalised and bespoke hotel towels
Some hospitality businesses choose embroidered or personalised towels to reinforce their branding.
Bespoke manufacturing can also be considered where a standard towel does not meet the property’s requirements.
The appropriate option depends on the quantity required, specification, design and budget.
Questions to ask a hotel towel supplier
Before ordering, consider asking:
- What GSM options are available?
- What towel sizes are available?
- Are the towels suitable for commercial laundering?
- How durable are they under frequent washing?
- What colours are available?
- Can larger quantities be supplied?
- Can the same specification be reordered?
- Are samples available?
- Can towels be embroidered or personalised?
- Are bespoke specifications possible?
- What are the minimum quantities?
- What delivery arrangements apply?
Cool Linen hotel towel supply
Cool Linen supplies hotel towels and towelling for hotels and other hospitality businesses across the UK, Spain and European markets.
The range includes bath towels, bath sheets, hand towels, face cloths, bath mats and pool or beach towels, with options available across different quality, weight and price levels.
Cool Linen supplies hotels, serviced accommodation and holiday accommodation, spas, villas, yachts, tour operators, educational establishments, chalets, paradores, fincas, restaurants and care homes.
For hospitality businesses requiring specific quantities, quality levels or product specifications, Cool Linen can provide products from established hospitality ranges and also has access to European bespoke manufacturing for made-to-specification textile products.
For hotel towels, spa towels and other hospitality towelling requirements, speak to Cool Linen about your requirements.
