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Short answer: start sampling about 18 weeks before opening for a Gulf hotel and about 21 weeks for a European one. The order itself, with the advance paid, should be placed 14 to 18 weeks out. Linen has to arrive three weeks before the first guest, not the day before.
The countdown
| Weeks before opening | What should be happening |
|---|---|
| 3 to 1 | Linen washed, counted into the store, rooms made up, staff trained |
| 4 | Goods delivered to the hotel |
| 5 | Customs clearing and delivery |
| 6 to 9 | At sea: about 2 weeks to the Gulf, about 4 to Europe, including port time |
| 10 to 16 | Production, 30 to 45 days |
| 16 to 18 | Samples made, shipped, tested and approved |
| 18 to 20 | Quotes compared and specification finalised |
For a Gulf hotel, the steps total about 18 weeks. For a UK or EU hotel, about 21.
The steps people leave out
- The first wash. New linen must be washed before use. For a 150-room hotel that is several tonnes through a laundry that may itself be brand new.
- Room setup and snagging. Housekeeping needs made-up rooms for training, photography and inspections.
- Mock-up room. The owner and brand usually approve one finished room. Linen samples for it are needed months ahead.
- Brand approval. If the hotel carries a brand flag, the brand standard may need to sign off the spec.
- Customs surprises. A first import by a new company can be held for paperwork.
What to order for opening
Opening stock is your par level, usually three sets per bed and per bathroom, plus a margin for loss in the chaotic first weeks. Work it out with the par level calculator, and see the towel sum in how many towels a hotel needs.
Order robes, towels, bath mats and bed linen together where you can. They arrive together and the whites match. See robes and towels on one order.
If the opening date moves
Opening dates slip more often than they hold. Two things help:
- Tell your supplier the earliest and latest dates, not only the target.
- Arrange storage at the hotel or with your forwarder for linen that arrives before the building is ready. Storing linen for a month costs far less than opening without it.
If you are already late
- Split the order: air freight one par for opening, and send the rest by sea.
- Choose white and standard sizes. Custom colours and embroidery add time.
- Use running sizes where they fit your spec. See ordering fewer than 500 towels.
Plan yours
The order planner on the production capacity page gives your order-by date from an opening date. Gulf projects should also read the Saudi hotel opening linen checklist. When you have a room count and a date, ask us for a quote.
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Written by
Dr Abin Babu
Founder & Chairman, Anabyn Global Ventures
Anabyn exports hotel and home linen from Kerala, India. These guides come from the questions buyers ask our desk. About the team
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