Selecting a hotel towel may not seem like much, but your decision can actually affect operating costs, replacement cycles, compliance, and brand consistency. The right towel will help maintain your hotel’s hygiene standards, while still maintaining profit margins in the long run. 

So, what should you consider when choosing towels for your hotels? This guide will give you a complete overview so you can make the right choice!

Why Hotels Should Prioritize Towel Selection

Towels don’t just dry hands but instead leave an impression on your guests. No matter the size of the hotel, good towels build trust. Here’s why you should prioritize high-quality towels:

Improves Guest Experience

Towels with a higher cotton content, weight, and loop density feel better and are more absorbent. Fluffy towels also help the guest feel more at home. On the other hand, cheaper towels feel stiffer, shed more often, and are worse at cleaning up liquids.

Positively Impacts Hotel Positioning and Reputation

To be known as a premium hotel, you should choose higher-quality towels made from Egyptian or Turkish cotton. This distinguishes you from budget hotels that use ordinary cotton towels.

These small details might not seem like much, but they leave a positive impression on your guests. They’re also more likely to share their positive experiences, attracting new guests and boosting platform ratings.  

Reduces Long-Term Operational Costs

Premium towels made to suit hotel use last longer and through many washes. They resist wear, damage, and deformation, resulting in an extended life cycle.

Meanwhile, cheaper towels tend to start shedding after only a few washes. This means you’ll need to replace them more often. In the end, these replacements add up, and end up costing more than the higher quality items would have.  

Fulfills Compliance Requirements

Hotels need to meet national hygiene standards. Towels should not have excessive formaldehyde or fluorescent whitening agents. If they do, they may break the rules. To avoid non-compliance, it’s best to buy only from trusted and verified retailers.

Higher quality towels are also easier to clean since they don’t trap dirt deep within them. This reduces the risk of fungal and bacterial growth, protecting your hotel from guest complaints or penalties.

What Types of Towels Do Hotels Usually Purchase?

Hotels have different types of towels, each for a specific purpose. These include:

Face Towels

Face towels are one of the most essential hotel towels and are used to dry hands or faces. They’re also used to clean up small stains or small glass surfaces like eyeglasses or mobile phones. They’re a must-have in hotel bathrooms because they’re easy to use and very versatile.

Bath Towels

Bath towels are larger than face towels and offer excellent coverage and absorbency. They’re also softer and more absorbent, enhancing your guests’ bathing experience.

Square Towels

Square towels blend practicality with style. You often see them in upscale hotels. They’re great for wiping fingers and mouths. Also, they work well for cleaning small items like jewelry and lipstick.

Square towels may be small, but they show the hotel cares about guest comfort.

Bath Mats

Bath mats keep your rooms dry by absorbing most of the water from your bathrooms. This reduces the risk of mold growth in the rooms. Their non-slip backing also prevents slips and injuries, making them essential for bathroom safety.

Bathrobes

Bathrobes aren’t provided by every hotel. Higher-end and mid-range hotels usually offer these towel types. They aim to give guests a warm feeling.

Since they’re made from pure cotton terry, coral fleece, or waffle weave, they’re the most expensive out of this list. But if you follow proper towel care, high quality bathrobes will last a long time.

Specialized Towels

Specialized towels aren’t always available in every hotel. They’re usually found in hotels that go the extra mile for every guest. These specialized towels could be anything from smaller, absorbent towels for gym facilities to larger, bright-colored towels for swimming pools.

Key Considerations for Selecting Each Type of Hotel Towel

Different types of towels tend to last longer when the right fabric is used. Here’s what you should consider when choosing your perfect towel:

1. Face Towels

Face towels need to be soft and able to withstand multiple washes. When you look for a towel, try to balance its usefulness and cost without compromising on its quality.

Most high quality towels use 32-count combed cotton. They weigh around 60-80g, ensuring they remain absorbent without feeling hefty.

Try to opt for towels that resist lint shedding and last through daily washes. Make sure they also meet national textile standards. This way, you won’t have to worry about the safety of your guests.

2. Bath Towels

This purchase is a little more complicated as there are no standard bath towels. Budget hotels should opt for cheaper, absorbent options, such as 32-count pure cotton bathrobes. These ideally weigh about 120-140g and measure around 70x140cm in size.

Mid-range hotels can replace pure cotton with combed cotton. Luxury hotels should go the extra mile. They can use premium materials like long-staple cotton, Egyptian cotton, or Pima cotton. These high-quality additions offer a soft feel, dense loops, and excellent absorbency.

Look for durable fabrics and avoid oversized towels. It’s also best to choose ones that can handle high-temperature washes and disinfections without damage. Lastly, opt for sizes that cover the entire body, so you can provide guests with a luxurious feel after a shower or bath.

3. Bath Mats

Bath mats are mainly used to avoid slips and falls. To ensure proper absorption, they should be made of thick, pure cotton with tightly woven loops. They should also weigh more than 300g so they can properly absorb water. The right design can help enhance your bathroom decor as well.

It’s also best to opt for bath mats that either have anti-slip rubber dots at the bottom or have been treated with silicone. To avoid having to replace your mats frequently, it’s better to choose a fabric that’s mold-resistant and easy to clean.

4. Hand Towels

Hand towels are mostly available in mid-range and higher-end hotels. It’s best to look for options that balance both refinement and functionality. High-quality hand towels are mostly made with combed cotton and weigh around 40-60g.

When choosing your hand towel, make sure the material does not cause irritation upon use and matches the hotel’s color scheme. Since these don’t see too much use, you can also opt for a smaller towel size and a lower-weight cloth. Just make sure you use clean hand towels, as the right color can exude luxury.

5. Bathrobe Selection

Bathrobes are high-class amenities. To give your hotel a luxurious look, it’s extremely important that you choose comfortable bathrobes that help your guests feel pampered after a relaxing shower or bath.

There are three fabric options for bathrobes. Terry cloth excels in absorbency, making it one of the most popular choices. Waffle weave robes provide a minimalist feel due to their breathability and good absorbency. Lastly, coral fleece and flannel robes are ideal for winter resorts due to their warm nature.

Regardless of the fabric, make sure you opt for a durable option, so your towels remain soft after repeated washes.

6. Specialized Functional Towels

To get a personalized touch, hotels should opt for specialized towels. These cover different facets of your hotel. For instance, you can opt for makeup removal towels for female guests that help prevent skin damage.

Pool towels are also a good option. Just make sure they can handle long sun exposure and multiple chlorine washes.

If your hotel includes a gym, then gym towels are a great addition as well. It’s best to choose lightweight cotton towels. They’re highly absorbent, easy to disinfect, and help your guests wipe off sweat easily.

Common Mistakes in Choosing Towels

Even if you know the specific types of fabrics for towels, there are still some crucial mistakes hotels make. Here’s what you need to avoid:

1. Prioritizing Low Price Over Fabric Quality

The most common error hotels make is buying poor-quality towels just because they’re cheap. This results in lower upfront costs but worse quality towels. Remember that lower-quality towels start shedding sooner, are worse at absorbing liquids, and are rougher on delicate skin.

Although they’re cheaper for a one-time purchase, they end up getting deformed after just a couple of washes. This leaves you having to replace your towels more often, and ultimately costs more than a high-quality towel would.

2. Not Using Specialized Fabrics for Towels

Another cost-cutting trick is hotels using the same material for every type of towel. This leads to bathrobes that don’t dry well, rough bath or hand towels, and floor mats that fail to prevent slips.

Lightweight organic cotton is the easiest to require, so most hotels end up using it for all their towel types. While this makes the process simpler, it causes each towel to feel worse and damages the hotel’s reputation.

3. Choosing Softness Over Durability

A major factor that affects the lifespan of towels is the washing they undergo. Hotels usually wash towels in hot or warm water with strong detergents and fabric softeners. This makes durability extremely important. If you opt only for the softest fabric, your towel will be damaged within a couple of washes.

This also extends to weight. Heavier towels don’t have quick drying properties, and can leave you with a shortage of towels.

4. Not Knowing Your Clientele

Many mid-range and budget hotels face this issue. They often try to mimic luxury hotels by using only imported Egyptian cotton towels. While they feel incredibly luxurious, guests often care more about budget prices than imported cotton. As a result, the towels don’t make as much of an impact as you’d want them to.

5. Not Doing Due Diligence

Something that ends up getting overlooked is ensuring your towels meet national safety standards. This can include formaldehyde levels, fluorescent agents, azo dyes, and pH levels.

Failure to do due diligence might lead to a regulatory inspection. If your hotel is in violation of national standards, punishments can range from fines to suspensions. This damages your image, which is an incredibly difficult thing to rehabilitate.

6. Ignoring Towels as a Branding Opportunity 

Towels are a crucial part of guest rooms. But more importantly, they’re an item that guests are likely to associate with your hotel.

Still, most hotels don’t take full advantage of this by not having their hotel’s branding embroidered on the towels. They also avoid using different-colored towels, so guests can’t really associate one with your brand. 

7. Avoiding Long-Term Suppliers

Most hotels avoid going for long-term suppliers. Instead, they opt for the cheapest option they can find. While this works once or twice, having different suppliers will eventually cause inconsistencies in towels from each batch.

Conclusion

Hotel towel selection is a critical part of running a hotel. From luxury towels to more eco-friendly options, the right towel can help control costs, streamline operations, and exceed guest expectations. 

For face and bath towels, just make sure you choose options that are durable, absorbent, and soft on the skin. Opt for comfortable and absorbent bathrobes, and make sure that your bath mats have anti-slip backing.

Get Different Types of Towels from Manywell!

Manywell has been working with the hotel industry for years to provide them with customized towels based on their needs. For budget hotels, we offer packages that focus on durability and cost control. We also have more balanced options for mid-range hotels. These packages balance quality and cost, boosting guest reviews.

We also offer something for luxury hotels. Along with premium fabrics that provide unparalleled softness, our color and logo customization services ensure your towels reflect your hotel’s high-end positioning.

To find the right towel for you and your guests, contact us today for a complete towel solution and a customized quote!