The Best Towels for Airbnb & Holiday Lets: A Complete Buying Guide for Hosts

Running a successful Airbnb or holiday let is all about guest experience.

From comfortable bedding to thoughtful finishing touches, every detail influences reviews, repeat bookings, and overall guest satisfaction.

One of the most overlooked, yet most frequently used items in any short-term rental is the towel. Guests notice scratchy towels. They notice thin towels. And they definitely notice towels that feel worn after only a few washes.

Choosing the right towels for your Airbnb property can improve guest comfort, reduce replacement costs, and strengthen the premium feel of your accommodation.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to choose the best towels for Airbnb and holiday lets, including towel materials, GSM, durability, drying speed, and wholesale buying tips.

Why Towels Matter in Airbnb Reviews

Cleanliness and comfort are two of the biggest factors influencing guest reviews. Luxury-feeling towels create an immediate impression of quality and attention to detail. Many Airbnb guests compare their stay to hotel standards, meaning hosts are increasingly expected to provide:

Soft towels
Matching towel sets
Fresh white towels
Spa-style bathroom presentation
Fast replacement availability

Poor-quality towels can negatively affect perceived cleanliness — even if the property itself is spotless.

What Are the Best Towels for Airbnb?

The best towels for Airbnb properties usually balance:

Softness
Durability
Fast drying
Easy laundering
Cost efficiency
Premium appearance

For most short-term rental properties, towels between 420gsm and 650gsm offer the ideal balance.This range provides a soft, hotel-style feel without becoming too heavy or difficult to dry between guest stays.

Best Towel Material for Holiday Lets -100% Cotton Towels

Cotton towels remain the most popular option for Airbnb hosts. Benefits include:

Excellent absorbency
Soft feel
Breathability
Long-term comfort
Professional appearance

High-quality combed or ring-spun cotton towels also remain softer after repeated washing.

Organic Cotton Towels

Eco-conscious travel continues to grow. Many guests now actively seek sustainable accommodation choices, including environmentally responsible bathroom products.

Organic cotton towels help Airbnb hosts:

Improve sustainability credentials
Appeal to eco-conscious travellers
Reduce environmental impact
Support premium branding

Organic towels can also work well in marketing photography and listing descriptions.

What Colour Towels Are Best for Airbnb?

White Towels

White towels remain the most popular choice for hotels and Airbnb properties.

Benefits include:

Clean luxury appearance
Easier bleach washing
Consistent matching replacements
Strong hotel-style presentation
Guests associate white towels with cleanliness

For most Airbnb hosts, white towels are the safest long-term option.

Coloured Towels

Some hosts prefer coloured towels for:

Family holiday homes
Coastal rentals
Boutique accommodation
Spa-themed interiors

Darker colours can sometimes help hide stains, but replacing matching shades later may become more difficult.

How Many Towels Should an Airbnb Provide?

A common recommendation is:

Per guest:

1 bath towel
1 hand towel
1 face cloth

Luxury Airbnb properties often provide:

Extra towels
Spa towels
Pool towels
Gym towels
Bath Robes

Hosts should also keep backup towel stock ready for:

Last-minute bookings
Laundry delays
Damage replacement
Extended guest stays

The Importance of Fast Drying Towels

Fast turnaround is essential in short-term rentals. Many hosts have only a few hours between check-out and check-in. Heavy towels that take too long to dry can create operational problems. This is why many Airbnb hosts avoid extremely heavy luxury towels above 700gsm.

Midweight towels often provide the best balance between:

Luxury feel
Laundry efficiency
Energy savings
Faster room preparation

How to Make Airbnb Bathrooms Feel More Luxurious

Simple towel presentation can dramatically improve guest perception.

Popular styling ideas include:

Rolled spa towels
Matching towel sets
Embroidered branding
Waffle spa towels
Basket towel displays
Neutral colour palettes

Small visual details often create a stronger luxury impression than expensive bathroom renovations.

Buying Towels in Bulk for Airbnb Properties

Wholesale towel purchasing offers several advantages for Airbnb hosts and holiday let managers.

Benefits include:

Lower long-term costs
Consistent towel quality
Matching replacements
Easier inventory management
Better durability for commercial use

Bulk purchasing is especially valuable for:

Multi-property Airbnb operators
Holiday parks
Serviced apartments
Boutique accommodation groups
Property management companies

Commercial-grade towels are typically designed to withstand more frequent washing than standard retail towels.

How Often Should Airbnb Towels Be Replaced?

This depends on:

Guest frequency
Washing conditions
Towel quality
Stain management
Drying methods

High-quality commercial towels can maintain softness and absorbency for significantly longer when cared for correctly.

Signs towels need replacing include:

Rough texture
Permanent staining
Fraying edges
Reduced absorbency
Faded appearance

Replacing worn towels quickly helps maintain positive guest reviews.

Why Hotels Use Commercial Towels

Many Airbnb hosts now purchase hotel-quality towels because they are:

More durable
Designed for frequent washing
Better absorbency
More professional looking
Easier to replace consistently

Hotel towels are specifically manufactured for hospitality environments where appearance and performance matter equally.

Final Thoughts

The right towels can make a surprisingly large difference to guest experience, reviews, and overall property presentation. For most Airbnb and holiday let properties, the ideal towel combines:

Softness
Durability
Fast drying
Commercial-quality performance
Luxury appearance

Choosing high-quality wholesale towels helps create a professional hospitality experience while reducing long-term replacement costs. At Bursali Towels, we supply premium wholesale towels for Airbnb hosts, holiday lets, serviced apartments, hotels, and hospitality businesses across the UK.

Our collections include hotel towels, organic cotton towels, egyptian quality combed cotton towels, spa towels, and custom-branded hospitality towels designed for frequent commercial use.

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Towel GSM Guide: Understanding Quality, Comfort & Choosing the Perfect Towel

by Beth Vallender • 13 March 2026

Towel GSM Guide: Understanding Quality, Comfort & Choosing the Perfect Towel The world of towels is surprisingly intricate. Fibre length, weave, finish, and density all influence how a towel performs, but the most useful indicator of quality is GSM (grams per square meter). This towel GSM guide explores how GSM affects softness, absorbency and durability, helping you make informed decisions when choosing the right towel for your home. What GSM Really Means in Towels GSM stands for grams per square meter, a measurement used to determine a towel’s weight and density. The higher the GSM, the denser the towel. This typically results in a softer, more luxurious and more absorbent towel that delivers long-lasting comfort. GSM provides a consistent benchmark when comparing quality towels across different materials and styles. Why GSM Matters for Everyday Use Every towel has a purpose, and choosing the right GSM elevates the experience. Lightweight towels dry quickly and suit busy households, travel or gym bags, while heavier towels offer indulgent warmth and texture. Understanding GSM ranges helps you select a towel that complements your lifestyle, whether you want an airy, quick-drying option or a spa-like, enveloping finish. How GSM Influences Softness and Feel GSM directly affects texture. Higher GSM towels tend to feel exceptionally soft and absorbent, while lower GSM towels feel thinner and lighter. Towels with a higher density offer cushioned loops, producing a plush towel with a luxurious feel. Lightweight towels, however, provide practicality and convenience, especially after frequent washing. Absorbency and Drying Time The higher the GSM, the more absorbent the towel. Towels with a higher density hold more water, enhancing post-bath comfort. However, they also take longer to dry. Lower GSM towels dry quickly and suit warmer climates, shared bathrooms and fast-paced routines. Choosing the right towel depends on whether you value speed or indulgent absorbency. Durability and Towel Thickness GSM also influences durability. Thicker, denser fabrics are more resilient and maintain their structure after frequent washing. These high-quality towels remain soft and absorbent for years, while low GSM towels may wear out more quickly. Towel thickness varies depending on how the fibres are twisted, how the loops are woven, and the manufacturing process involved.