How to Choose the Right Towels for Your Hotel or Shortlet
When guests step into a hotel room or shortlet apartment, the first thing they touch after the door handle is often a towel. It’s draped over a rack, folded on the bed, or waiting in the bathroom, ready to deliver a small but unforgettable moment. Towels are not just fabric — they’re silent ambassadors of comfort. They tell guests, without a single word, what kind of stay they can expect.
For hospitality businesses, the humble towel is a storytelling tool, a cost item, and a quality benchmark all rolled into one. Choose right, and you elevate the guest experience. Choose wrong, and even the most beautifully designed room will feel incomplete. So how do you choose the perfect towels for your hotel or shortlet? The answer lies somewhere between practical wisdom and emotional intelligence.
First, Know Who You’re Hosting
A boutique hotel welcoming honeymooners will have a very different towel story from a busy shortlet hosting weekend travelers. Who are your guests, and what does comfort mean to them? For luxury-seekers, comfort might mean thick, spa-worthy towels they can cocoon in after a shower. For business travelers, it could be clean, soft towels that dry quickly after a rushed morning routine.
Shortlets, especially in vibrant cities like Lagos or Abuja, attract a mix of guests — from vacationers to corporate clients. Here, versatility becomes key.
Fabric: Where Luxury Begins
If a towel could speak, its first words would come from its fabric. Cotton reigns supreme, but not all cotton is born equal. Egyptian cotton, with its long fibers, offers unmatched softness and absorbency. Turkish cotton strikes a beautiful balance between plushness and quick drying. Then there’s bamboo — smooth, eco-friendly, and with natural antibacterial properties, making it perfect for properties with a sustainability story to tell.
For most hospitality spaces, the smart bet is high-quality combed cotton — soft, strong, and able to handle the relentless laundry cycles that hospitality demands. Microfiber towels, though popular in budget settings, often lack the tactile luxury today’s guests expect. After all, if your towel doesn’t feel good in their hands, it doesn’t matter how much you saved on procurement.
GSM: The Science of Softness
In the world of towels, weight matters — and GSM (Grams per Square Meter) is how we measure it. Think of GSM as a towel’s resume.
A towel with 300-400 GSM is lightweight and practical, but lacks luxury. Between 400-600 GSM, you find that sweet spot where indulgence meets durability — perfect for most hotels and shortlets. Above 600 GSM, you enter the world of spa-grade opulence, the kind that practically hugs your guests.
Color: What Your Towels Say Without Speaking
Traditionally, hotels have sworn allegiance to white towels — and for good reason. White equals cleanliness, simplicity, and the comforting blank slate every traveler needs. But the hospitality world is evolving. Shortlets, especially those with themed interiors, often experiment with earth tones, deep blues, or even branded embroidery.
There’s no right or wrong here, but there is a rule: whatever color you choose, consistency is king. Your towels should feel like a seamless extension of your brand story. A bold, urban shortlet might get away with sleek charcoal towels, but a resort promising tranquility should probably stick to soft neutrals.
The Durability Dilemma
Hospitality towels live hard lives. They’re washed almost daily, treated with industrial detergents, and handled by dozens of hands — from housekeeping staff to guests themselves. A towel that looks good at purchase but falls apart after five washes is not a bargain; it’s a budget trap.
Look for towels with double-stitched hems, tightly woven fibers, and clear care instructions. The best suppliers won’t just sell you towels — they’ll teach you how to care for them to extend their lifespan.
Sustainability Is No Longer Optional
Today’s guests care. They want to know where your towels come from, how they’re made, and what happens to them when they’re no longer usable. Eco-friendly towels — made from organic cotton or bamboo, and certified by bodies like OEKO-TEX — aren’t just ethical; they’re a competitive advantage.
Properties that tell eco-stories aren’t just attracting conscious travelers — they’re earning loyalty. A towel that feels good and does good is a win every way you look at it.
Size: More Than One Way to Dry
Think all towels are the same size? Think again. There’s a world of difference between a standard bath towel and a lavish bath sheet. Offering a full set — bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, and maybe even a spa wrap — instantly elevates your hospitality game. It’s the difference between just enough and thoughtfully complete.
Branding That Stays With Guests
Luxury is in the smallest details. Subtle embroidered logos, signature linen sprays that scent your towels, or even **custom color trims** can turn everyday towels into brand touchpoints. Every time your guest reaches for a towel, they should feel your brand’s promise in their fingertips.
Partnering With the Right Supplier
Choosing towels isn’t just about choosing towels. It’s about choosing a supplier who understands hospitality. Look for partners who don’t just show you products but ask about your property, your guests, your story. The right supplier relationship feels like a creative collaboration, not a transaction.
Towels Are Tiny Billboards
At the end of the day, towels are silent storytellers. They speak to your standards, your care for comfort, and your understanding of what modern guests expect. Whether you run a sleek urban shortlet, a serene coastal resort, or a high-energy city hotel, your towels are part of the first impression and the lasting memory.
So choose them like you would choose your brand voice — thoughtfully, intentionally, and always with the guest experience in mind. After all, hospitality isn’t just about providing a place to sleep. It’s about the little luxuries that turn a stay into a story worth telling.
At Serene Hospitality Solutions, we curate towels that do more than dry — they define your guest experience. Whether you want plush spa vibes or practical luxury, we help you find towels that fit your brand and your budget.
Let’s create unforgettable stays, one bath at a time.