Choose the right bed, bath and bathrobe linen
Three questions for a starting spec. Then compare weaves, weights and robe styles side by side.
Find your starting spec
This gives you a sensible first brief, not a final order. Use it to start the conversation with a spec that already fits your property.
Answer all three questions to see your starting spec for bed, bath and robe.
Bed linen: percale or sateen
Thread count gets the attention, but the weave decides how the sheet feels and how long it lasts in a hot wash. Pick the weave first, then the thread count for your tier.
Percale
Crisp, matte, durable
- Crisp feel
- Silky feel
- Resists wrinkles
- Lasts in hot washes
Sateen
Smooth, soft, slight sheen
- Crisp feel
- Silky feel
- Resists wrinkles
- Lasts in hot washes
Indicative characteristics of each weave, scored 1 to 5. Not test results.
Bath linen: weight against wash cost
Heavier towels feel plusher and cost more to wash and dry. The right weight is the one your guests notice and your laundry can handle.
- Economy · 1–2 star300–400 GSM
Thin, fast-drying, low absorbency
- Standard · 3 star400–500 GSM
Balance of absorbency and laundry cost
- Premium · 4 star500–600 GSM
Noticeably plush, manageable dry time
- Luxury · 5 star600–700 GSM
Maximum plush, longer dry time
Which size for which job
| Towel | Size | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Washcloth | 30 × 30 cm | Face and spa treatment rooms |
| Hand towel | 40 × 60 cm | Basin, paired with the bath towel |
| Bath towel | 70 × 140 cm | Body. The most ordered size |
| Bath sheet | 90 × 180 cm | 4–5 star, oversized wrap |
| Pool towel | 90 × 180 cm | Poolside, usually 350–500 GSM |
400 vs 600 GSM Full towel size chart Cost per wash calculator
Bathrobes: pick the style, then the weight
Style decides how the robe is used. Weight decides how it feels and how fast it dries. Most buyers get the style wrong first, so start there.
Waffle
Spa, resort, hot climate
- Lightness
- Absorbency
- Dries fast
- Premium feel
Terry
Hotel room, all-round
- Lightness
- Absorbency
- Dries fast
- Premium feel
Velour
4–5 star, gift, retail
- Lightness
- Absorbency
- Dries fast
- Premium feel
Kimono cut
Warm-climate resort, women's retail
- Lightness
- Absorbency
- Dries fast
- Premium feel
Indicative characteristics, scored 1 to 5. Waffle is a weave; kimono is a cut and can be made in terry or waffle.
Weight tiers
- Lightweight · Summer, spa300–350 GSM
Dries fast, packs small
- Standard hotel · 3–4 star400–450 GSM
Balance of feel and drying time
- Luxury · 5 star, gift500–600 GSM
Heavy, substantial, plush
Check a sample before you order
Five minutes with a sample tells you more than a spec sheet. The numbers on each diagram match the checklist beside it.
Towel
Border
Check it lies flat and the stitching is even. Waves here show up after the first wash.
Pile
Dense and upright is good. Gaps where you can see the base cloth mean thin pile.
Hem
Double-stitched, no loose ends. Pull gently along the seam.
Absorbency
Drip a little water on it. It should soak in, not bead up.
Bathrobe
Collar
It should sit flat and keep its shape when the robe hangs.
Sleeves
Seams should be even, with a roll-up cuff if the style has one.
Pockets
Deep enough to use and stitched at both corners.
Belt loops and belt
Loops bar-tacked, belt hemmed along its full length.
Hem
Even and double-stitched all the way round.
Then wash the sample a few times at your usual temperature and compare it with an unwashed piece. Diagrams are simplified illustrations, not product photos.
Common questions
What linen should a 4 star hotel buy?
A typical 4 star programme uses 300–400 TC sateen or percale sheets, 500–600 GSM bath towels and 400–450 GSM shawl collar bathrobes. That is a clear step up from 3 star without the wash cost of a luxury programme.
Percale or sateen for hotel sheets?
Percale is crisp, matte and lasts well in hot, frequent washing, so it suits in-house laundry and busy properties. Sateen is smoother and silkier, so it suits premium and luxury rooms where feel matters most.
Is higher GSM always better for towels and robes?
No. Heavier fabric is plusher but dries more slowly and costs more to wash. Pick the weight that fits your guests, your climate and your laundry, not the highest number.
Waffle or terry bathrobe?
Waffle is lighter and dries faster, so it suits spas, resorts and hot climates. Terry is more absorbent and feels more substantial, so it suits hotel rooms and cooler climates.
How do I test a sample before ordering?
Check the border, pile, hem and absorbency on a towel, and the collar, pockets, belt loops and hem on a robe. Then wash the sample a few times at your usual temperature and compare it with the unwashed piece.
Tell us your property and we will confirm the spec
Send your property type and room count. We will confirm the spec and send a quote.
Request a quote