Why hotel linen should include bath sheets

Ask a guest what they thought of the hotel’s bathrooms and it’s highly likely they’ll talk about the towels. Was it big enough, did it feel heavy and fluffy, did it smell nice? The bath sheet covers all of these in one and many hotels do not have them in their linen inventory.

What is a Bath Sheet?

Essentially a larger version of a bath towel. Where the latter measures around 27 by 54 inches, a bath sheet averages to about 35 by 70, or even bigger in some cases. This means that the textile can be doubled over and wrapped around the body comfortably with enough left over to tuck.

Guest Sentiment

Guests are unlikely to comment directly on the hotel’s provision of bath sheets, but they’ll certainly mention the towels. In both cases, the feedback is usually indirectly related to the guest’s comfort.

People who are tall will usually find that they can cover themselves completely with a bath sheet where a smaller guest might find a standard size towel insufficient after exiting the shower. Families appreciate the opportunity for a larger surface area to soak up water, and the ability to wrap a wet child in a towel without risk of exposure. Another reason for using a bigger size towel is that it can be folded and tucked away more efficiently for storage space.

Weight (GSM)

A bath sheet’s GSM (grams per square metre) is a big consideration as it determines how thick and fluffy the towel will be. For hotel bath sheets, the majority of buyers looking for something in the mid-range will be looking at 600-700 GSM. Anything less feels cheap and ineffective at drying the body, and anything more becomes unwieldy to handle.

While GSM is a good indicator, buyers should also consider the length of the cotton fibre, with longer ones offering superior softness and reduced linting, and the type, with ring spun and combed cotton offering a durable, long lasting textile that can resist the strain of hundreds of launderings.

Polyester blends offer value for money and quick drying, but they can feel cheap against the skin, hold on to lint and shed fibres into the bath. For a budget focused mid-range hotel, this could be a good option. However, for anything four star and above, it’s best to stick to 100 percent cotton.

White or Colour?

While the choice of white or colour seems an obvious one, in practice it’s frequently made on budget alone, with little consideration given to the practical implications. White is a safer option and has the advantage of looking clean and feeling hygienic. Colours can be used to add visual interest to a boutique hotel, but it’s worth bearing in mind that they’re harder to bleach if a stain appears.

Other Considerations

Double stitching on the hems: this adds to the durability, especially on the edges which are most likely to unravel if the bath sheet is not cared for correctly

Dobby edge: should be firm but not elasticated, and able to withstand the shearing force of being pulled without splitting

Linting: most bath sheets will shed some lint after the first few washes, but it should be minimal. Always test one before buying in bulk

Size consistency: a problem more often associated with suppliers than manufacturers, but it’s a frequent cause for concern among buyers who find that the towels in a pack vary in size.

The laundry

Bath sheets are a large textile and as such can be expensive to launder depending on the size of the establishment. In-house laundry or outsourced, the hotel has to account for the additional space and energy required to wash and dry a bath sheet compared to a standard size towel. It’s always important to communicate with the laundry about the cotton type as some are more resistant to high heat and aggressive detergents than others. Some towels are beautiful when new but can fray unbearably after a month if they’re not compatible with the laundry process.

Par levels

Most par levels for bath sheets are in the region of three to four sets per room, depending on the size of the establishment and the rate at which sheets are being used and replaced. Bath sheets take up more space and need to be tucked away more carefully than smaller towels, so space should be considered when deciding how many sets to keep in stock at any one time.

Does the hotel offer bath sheets in every room?

It depends on the type of establishment. Luxury and spa focused hotels will usually offer bath sheets across the board, while mid-range options might limit them to suite or premium rooms only. Resorts with access to pools or the beach may want a separate large towel for use outdoors, which is a different product to the ones inside the room.

While the initial outlay for bath sheets is higher than for standard size towels, they represent an investment in the comfort of the guests and an upgrade they are likely to notice without requiring any other changes to the room. Buy a few samples and test them out.