Hotel Quality in Towels: What Does It Mean?

Towels in Hotels: the hallmark

Hotel towels are subject to very different demands compared to the terry products we use at home: they are washed more frequently – sometimes even daily – and must nevertheless remain soft, hygienically clean and free from lint. Pulled threads are just as unacceptable as stains or discolouration. For hotel guests, the towels provided are a kind of hallmark. They reflect not only the hotel’s star rating, but also how important it is to the host to impress across the board. 

What is hotel quality?

Terry products in hotels are expected to be highly absorbent – after all, this is essential for guests. After showering, washing their hands or taking a dip in the hotel pool, guests want to dry off properly, not merely spread moisture around.

At the same time, the towel should be or remain soft. This is influenced not only by tumble drying, but also by the choice of material: warp-knitted terry is soft, absorbent and durable. walk terry is also highly durable, easy to care for and still pleasantly soft.

A higher weight is often associated with better quality in towels. Heavier towels may feel more luxurious, but do not necessarily offer greater absorbency. Bath and shower towels with a higher weight also take longer to dry. Luxury quality generally means more than 600 g/m² of fabric – however, this is not a requirement for hotels, and lighter options are perfectly suitable. Anything from around 400 g/m² is well suited for hotel use.

Hotels must also ensure that their towels are easy to care for and durable. Materials that cannot be washed at high temperatures are impractical: for hygiene reasons, hotel towels should be washable at at least 60°C and must also withstand tumble drying. In addition, strong seams – so-called hotel seams – are essential to prevent the towel from falling apart prematurely.

Colour & design of hotel towels

Hotel towels are often white, rarely coloured and even more rarely patterned. This is because the colour white is associated with hygiene and cleanliness. However, there is also a very practical reason: white towels can easily be machine-washed at 95°C and then tumble-dried without issue. Coloured hotel towels are usually dyed with special dyes that are resistant to chlorine and boiling. 

Recognising good hotel towels

As a hotel guest, you can recognise good towel quality in much the same way as at home. The towel should be soft, clean and have a full, pleasant feel. High-quality towels withstand many washing and drying cycles without losing their colour or shape. If a hotel towel already shows pulled threads, it has likely seen better days. Its absorbency is also usually no longer as effective. In such cases, do not hesitate to request a replacement.

How many towels should a hotel provide?

In Germany, the number of towels a hotel must provide is in fact specified according to its star rating:

· 1-star accommodation: at least one bath towel per guest

· 2-star accommodation: at least one bath towel and one hand towel per guest

· 3 stars or more: no further specific requirements regarding additional towels

There is no upper limit, and additional towels can usually be requested from reception if needed. Particularly in hotels with spa facilities, it is common for bathrobes to be provided either in the room or at reception. Large sauna towels are also often available.