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Hotel Towels Buying Guide

Whether your guests are only spending the night or enjoying a weeklong vacation, quality hotel towels help them feel right at home in your hotel, Airbnb, or boutique hotel. When it comes to providing a comfortable and luxurious experience for your guests, the type of towels you choose can make a big difference. Factors like material and weight play a role in the durability and softness of the towel. We'll walk you through the important features and provide standard price ranges so you can choose the right towels for your business.



Shop All Hotel Towels

Use the following links to learn more about hotel towels:

  1. Towel Sizes
  2. Towel Types
  3. Towel Weight
  4. Towel Materials
  5. Towel Borders
  6. Towel Care Instructions

Towel Sizes

Bath towels come in many sizes, and each of the different towel sizes serves a specific purpose for your guests. Whether you're buying supplies for your Airbnb or checking your hotel's inventory, staying well-stocked on all types of towels is vital to ensuring your guests' comfort while staying at your establishment. Below is a breakdown of different towels, sizes, and ideal uses.

Restaurant Equipment

Bath Towels

When considering different towel options, bath towels are the most commonly available. Bath towels are versatile and are large enough to wrap around yourself after bathing.

  • Towel size: 20" to 30" x 40" to 60"
  • Ideal for drying hair and body after bathing
Restaurant Equipment

Hand Towels

Different hand towels range from simple and functional to purely decorative, but they all have several things in common. Hand towels are large enough to dry your hands or face but small enough to hang beside the sink and dry quickly.

  • Towel size: 15" to 18" x 27" to 32"
  • Ideal for drying hands after washing them
Restaurant Equipment

Bath Mats

Bath mats are laid on the floor in front of the tub or shower to prevent slips on wet bathroom tiles. These mats are slightly smaller and thinner than bath towels and provide the same extra absorbance as pool towels. Some include additional non-skid features.

  • Towel size: 20" to 22" x 30" to 36"
  • Ideal for keeping the floor dry while guests dry off after bathing
Restaurant Equipment

Bath Sheets

Bath sheets are oversized bath towels with the same uses as their counterparts. However, they take longer to dry and require more storage space than other towels, so consider that when purchasing.

  • Towel size: 35" x 66" to 70"
  • Ideal for drying hair and body after bathing in a larger towel
Restaurant Equipment

Washcloths

Unique compared to other towels, washcloths are small towels soaked in water and used to wash your skin. Their size makes them easy to use and quick to dry, allowing you to hang them on the side of a tub or a shower handrail.

  • Towel size: 12" x 12" or 13" x 13"
  • Ideal for washing the body and face

Towel Sizes Guide

Use our towel sizes guide as a visual aid in understanding the different towel sizes.

Hotel towel sizing chart

Towel Types

If you look at the entirety of your establishment's amenities, there are more places than guestrooms that use different towel types. Most businesses in the hospitality industry have a pool of some kind, while high-end resorts offer spa services. These things all require different towel types that go beyond regular bath towels.

Depending on the quality of your establishment, you should also provide your guests with bathrobes in addition to towels. Bathrobes also wrap around your guests and are designed with sleeves and a collar. Some include a wrap-around belt to keep the robe in place while your guests relax at the spa. They tend to get heavier when saturated with water, so they do not dry as quickly as bath towels.

Restaurant Equipment

Spa Towels

Usually made of premium ringspun cotton yarns, spa towels are designed for maximum whiteness and provide the ultimate comfort for your guests relaxing at the spa. These towels are plush, thick, and soft. They weigh at least 20 lb. per dozen.

  • Towel size: 30" x 60" to 40" to 70", but significantly thicker than regular towels
  • Ideal for spa establishments and services, such as massages and facial services
Restaurant Equipment

Gym Towels

Gym towels are lightweight and economical, perfect for everyday use in a busy gym environment. These standard quality towels range from 6 to 22 lb. per dozen.

  • Towel size: Available in a range of sizes
  • Suitable for fitness centers, school gyms, and athletic facilities
Restaurant Equipment

Pool Towels

Part of summer vacation fun is going to your hotel or resort swimming pool, and many pool towels feature fun stripes or bright colors to accommodate a sunny summer feeling. Compared to regular hotel towels, pool towels are longer and have a soft, light feel. Since pool towels get very wet, they are more absorbent and designed to dry quickly in the sun. They range from 5-20 lb. per dozen.

  • Towel size: 30" x 60" to 70"
  • Ideal for placing beside an indoor or outdoor pool for guest use
Restaurant Equipment

Salon Towels

These towels are specifically designed to meet the demands of the salon industry, providing both functionality and durability. With their unique features and high-quality construction, salon towels are a must-have for any professional salon setting.

  • Towel sizes: Available in a range of sizes
  • Many salon towels are bleach-safe, making them ideal for salons and stylists
Restaurant Equipment

Regular Bath Towels

Regular bath towels are used in many locations like gyms, health clubs, schools, hotels, and more. They are made from a variety of cotton yarns and cotton polyester blends. Offered in a clean white color to match your bathroom decor, they range from 5-17 lb. per dozen.

  • Towel size: 20" to 30" x 40" to 60", thinner than spa towels
  • Ideal for stocking in individual rooms for guest hygiene

Towel Weight

An important consideration when purchasing towels is towel weight. The weight of a towel is measured in pounds per dozen, so it is crucial to compare similar products. Towels that weigh between 15 to 20 lb. per dozen are plusher and heavier compared to thinner towels weighing only 5 to 10 lb. per dozen. The heavier the weight of the towel is, the more absorbent it is and the more luxurious it feels.

Restaurant Equipment

Lightweight Towels

  • Typically weigh between 5 to 10 lb. per dozen
  • Great economical choice for motels, gyms, or athletic clubs
Restaurant Equipment

Medium Weight Towels

  • Typically weigh between 10 to 15 lb. per dozen
  •  Great choice for mid-range to upscale hotels, spas, and resorts
Restaurant Equipment

Heavy Weight Towels

  • Typically weigh between 15 to 20 lb. per dozen
  • Great luxury choice for upscale hotels, spas, and resorts

Towel Materials

There are a variety of towel materials available, the most familiar being 100% cotton. Whether choosing between Egyptian cotton yarns or a cotton and polyester blend, knowing the benefits of each material helps guide you in your decision.

Level
Pricing
Characteristics
Quality
Customer Types
Good
$
100% cotton is the most common construction. It is known for its absorbency and durability.
Economy
Gyms, motels, nursing homes, correctional facilities
Good
$
Open end cotton is produced from short cotton fibers, making it economical and less soft than ringspun cotton.
Economy
Gyms, motels, nursing homes, correctional facilities
Better
$$
Cotton/polyester blend is durable and soft to the touch.
Standard
Gyms, motels, mid-range hotels
Better
$$
Zero-twist cotton is softer to the touch than twisted cotton.
Premium
Resorts, spas, mid-range to luxury hotels
Better
$$
Ringspun cotton is soft, smooth, and silky to the touch.
Premium
Resorts, spas, mid-range to luxury hotels
Better
$$
Long cotton fibers make a softer and smoother fabric.
Premium
Resorts, spas, mid-range to luxury hotels
Best
$$$
Combed cotton is specially treated and results in a softer and more durable yarn.
Luxury
Resorts, spas, luxury hotels
Best
$$$
Cotton/modal has a silky feel. It is absorbent and breathable.
Luxury
Resorts, spas, luxury hotels
Best
$$$
Pima cotton uses extra-long staple cotton for an ultra-soft fabric.
Luxury
Resorts, spas, luxury hotels
Best
$$$
Egyptian cotton has superior absorbency and softness.
Luxury
Resorts, spas, luxury hotels


Towel Border Styles

Towels also have different borders, either a cam border or a dobby border. A cam border has a flat weave texture usually featured on the top and bottom of the towel. A dobby border has a decorative weave that can consist of many unique designs, including checkers, stripes, and other patterns. Similarly, a piano dobby border features elegant stripes lining the edge of the towel that resemble piano keys.

Both cam and dobby borders are typically woven an inch or two from the edge of the towel. Dobby borders are considered more upscale than cam borders, which is something you may want to consider at your upscale venue.

General Care Instructions for Towels

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You can extend the life of your towels and keep them looking their best by following these basic care instructions:

  • Always follow the care instructions that come with your towels.
  • Wash towels before first use to improve absorbency and reduce lint.
  • Wash with like colors.
  • Avoid using fabric softeners that can break down towel fibers.
  • In order to maintain absorbency, don't iron terry towels.
  • Ensure that towels are dry when you remove them from the dryer.
  • Avoid over drying.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. Please refer to our Content Policy for more details.

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