6 Essential Factors When Selecting Pool Towels

At 1Concier, we take pride in being your ultimate destination for pool towels, ensuring you never run out of supply throughout the year. Offering your guests exceptional experiences involves having the perfect terry supplies for your outdoor areas. Here are six essential factors to keep in mind when selecting pool towels and complementary items:

#1 Tailoring to Your Property's Needs

Understanding the nature of your business is essential in determining the ideal pool towel. High-volume establishments catering to families prioritize cost-effective options, while luxury hotels and spas focus on their guest’s experience.

For hotels and water parks that cater to families and large groups, the primary considerations will be those of high-volume, high-frequency purchasing. Towels in these settings are laundered more frequently, resulting in a shorter lifespan. Additionally, they are often lost, stolen or damaged. The result is that keeping sufficient towels on hand takes precedence over luxury-level quality. Therefore, economical towel options with a weight of 9 to 12 lbs. are preferred.

On the other hand, a high-end, luxury hotel or spa will prioritize guest experience over price considerations. With fewer guests — and especially fewer children — at any given time, this type of hotel experiences less inventory shortage and is better able to afford top-quality towels. They offer their guests a premium, memorable look and feel with loftier terry loops, 15 to 24 lbs. weights, and larger sizes.

Once you've decided where your property sits on the budget-to-luxury scale, the next step is to consider the characteristics of the towel itself.

#2 Size Matters: Versatility and Comfort

Pool towels should be generously sized to cater to various uses. A larger towel not only impresses guests with its luxurious appearance but also provides ample coverage on lounge chairs, enhancing overall comfort.

It's important to note that larger sizes come with higher price tags, both in initial purchase and in upkeep costs. They weigh more, take longer to dry, and require more storage space. Each hotel must determine its own best option.

The typical smaller pool towel size is 30"x60". In some cases, it can be as small as 27"x52", which may affect the quality of the guest experience but may help with the price. Larger towels are usually 35"x70" and come in a variety of weights. Carefully consider your specific needs when selecting the towel size that best suits your property.

#3 Weight Measures: Impact on Thickness and Fluffiness

Towel weight directly affects its thickness and fluffiness. The number of loops per square inch contributes to weight, while longer loops can enhance plushness. Yarn construction is the first determiner. A 1-ply loop is composed of one strand of yarn; this makes it appear fluffier. In a 2-ply loop, two yarns are twisted together to form one thicker strand; this gives it a more stable, dense feeling.

However, we find that the ground fabric of the towel (not the loops) is more durable when it is made of 2-ply yarns. Both our Traditional and Ritz pool towels have this 2-ply ground construction.

The number of loops per square inch also affects weight, and even more importantly, how fluffy the towel looks and feels. Loop length can enhance the effect, with longer loops appearing plusher.

When comparing towel weights, you can expect to see economy towels in the 9 to 12 lbs./dz. range, and luxury towels ranging from 15 to 20 lbs./dz. Choose based on the desired visual and tactile experience.

#4 Absorbency Priorities: Striking the Right Balance

Superior absorbency is crucial for effective towel drying. Cotton is widely recognized for its absorbent properties. A natural cellulose fiber, it wicks moisture through capillary action, with each fiber acting like a sponge to hold water. Individual fibers are spun together into yarns, which are then woven into fabric.

For our budget-conscious customers, we also offer an innovative alternative in the Ritz Pool Towel. It is indistinguishable in feel from pure cotton because its 100% cotton loops are the ones that touch customers' skin. The stripe fiber is polyester, retaining bright color that will not fade in the sun. Polyester is a synthetic fiber that enables faster drying, increases towel durability, and reduces the purchase price. Polyester takes dye exceptionally well, allowing for more vibrant colors that do not bleed in the wash.

#5 Style Mileage: Extending Your Branding

Pool towels present an excellent opportunity for hotels to extend their branding and maintain a consistent look throughout the property. The inviting, fluffy look, coordinated colors, and signature details all play a role in making that all-important first impression. Color is the first thing you notice about a pool towel, so choosing one with good color retention is essential. Preventing fading in the sun or the wash depends on the dye and the dyeing method.

Vat dye is different from the other dye types because it isn't water soluble and can't be directly applied to the fabric (the fabric and dye are put into a vat). Its advantage is that it provides superior fade resistance to both UV sunlight and chemicals such as chlorine, soap, and other laundering products. This type of dye is used only in the hospitality industry — though not every manufacturer uses it because it costs more. We pride ourselves in making all our towels with vat-dyed fabric.

#6 Price Matches: Budget-Friendly Par Level

Price plays a big role in towel selection. Maintaining a proper par level is essential to avoid poor customer service due to low inventory. In addition, insufficient inventory leads to the overuse of towels, thus shortening their life span and requiring even more frequent replacements. Balancing quality and budget is essential to maintaining proper inventory levels.

Our Plunge Towel is a great solution for budget-conscious shoppers. The 2-ply loops, 100% cotton construction makes it very absorbent, while the bold stripes complement both fun and classic decorating styles.

Hotels should take into account the losses due to guests knowingly or unknowingly walking away with towels. On average, hotels lose 5% to 20% of their towel supply every month.

Welcome Complements: Putting Together a Complete Look

At 1Concier, we go beyond pool towels. Collaborating with hospitality businesses, we create exclusive, custom-designed branding, including coordinated lounge chair covers, embroidered logos, and other amenities for guest comfort.

Our Lounge Chair Covers add a touch of luxury and comfort to the pool area, perfectly complementing both fun and classic decorating styles. Our Traditional Lounge Chair Covers can be personalized just for your property with your logo, whereas our Ritz Lounge Chair Covers are classic and timeless covers that feature poly-neon horizontal stripes that add color to any property.

Visit our website at 1concier.com to explore our diverse collection, or speak with one of our Hospitality Experts to help you find the perfect solution for your property.

Let 1Concier be your #1 choice for all your linen products.