How to Choose the Right Hotel Towels
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BUYING GUIDE
Towels are one of the first things a guest touches after checking in — and one of the fastest ways to make an impression. Choosing the right ones for your property isn't just about softness. It's about durability, cost, and how they hold up after hundreds of washes. Here's what to look for.
1. Understand Your GSM
GSM stands for grams per square metre — it tells you how dense and absorbent a towel is. For hotels, you'll generally work within three ranges:
Lightweight. Good for gyms, pools, and budget properties. Dries fast.
Mid-range. The sweet spot for most 3–4 star hotels. Soft and durable.
Luxury. Thick and plush. Best for 5-star and spa environments.
Higher GSM doesn't always mean better — it depends on your property type and how quickly you need towels to dry between guest turnovers.
2. Pick the Right Material
Most hotel towels are made from cotton, but the type of cotton matters more than you might think.
100% Ring-spun cotton is the industry standard. It's soft, absorbent, and holds up well after industrial laundering. If you're buying in bulk for a mid-range hotel, this is your go-to.
Combed cotton goes through an extra process to remove shorter fibres, resulting in a smoother, more uniform towel. Worth the slight premium for guest-facing rooms.
Egyptian and Turkish cotton are longer-staple fibres — softer and more durable but at a higher price point. Ideal for luxury suites, spa areas, and high-end boutique hotels where the tactile experience matters.
Cotton-polyester blends dry faster and cost less, but feel noticeably different. Best reserved for back-of-house or pool areas where quick turnover is the priority.
3. Think About Colour and Branding
White is the hotel standard for a reason: it signals cleanliness, it's easy to bleach, and it looks consistent across your entire property. Around 85% of hotels worldwide use white towels for guest rooms.
That said, coloured or branded towels can work well in specific contexts — spas, pools, or boutique properties with a strong visual identity. Just keep in mind that darker colours may show detergent residue over time and require different washing protocols.
If you're considering embroidered or custom-branded towels, plan ahead. Customisation typically adds 2–4 weeks to delivery and usually comes with a minimum order quantity.
4. Calculate How Many You Actually Need
The general rule of thumb in the industry is three sets per room: one in the room, one in the laundry, and one in reserve. For a 50-room hotel with a standard towel set (bath towel, hand towel, face cloth), that's roughly:
50 rooms × 3 towels per set × 3 sets = 450 towels as a starting inventory
Factor in pool towels, gym towels, and spa towels separately. And always order 10–15% extra to cover unexpected damage or loss.
5. Don't Forget Laundering Durability
A hotel towel needs to survive 200–300 industrial wash cycles before it starts to feel worn. When evaluating suppliers, ask about:
- Double-stitched hems — prevents fraying after repeated washing
- Cam border / header bar — the flat-woven strip at the top and bottom that keeps shape
- Pre-washed or pre-shrunk options — so sizing stays consistent after first laundering
Cheap towels that fall apart after 50 washes cost you more in the long run than quality towels that last three times longer.
Ready to Order?
At HotelWholesale.eu, we supply hotel-grade towels in a range of GSM weights, materials, and sizes — with customisation options for properties that want branded linen. Whether you're outfitting a new property or replacing your current stock, we'll help you find the right fit for your budget and your guests.