Why Do Some Hotels Fold Towels on the Bed and Other Unfortunate Practices

Have you ever noticed a neatly folded towel on your hotel bed upon arrival? Hotels often present towels in this way for several reasons. But are these practices always welcomed by guests or are they part of unfortunate innovations in hospitality?

The Reason Behind Folded Towels

Presentation: A neatly folded towel not only adds an aesthetic touch but also creates a more inviting and luxurious atmosphere. This presentation is particularly important in the hospitality industry as it contributes to the overall guest experience.

Convenience: Folds towels accessible on the bed are designed to be easily retrieved by guests after they bathe. It signals that the towels are fresh and readily available, enhancing the guest's comfort during their stay.

Hygiene: By folding and displaying clean towels in visible spots, hotels communicate that the linens have been properly laundered and are safe for use. This transparency is crucial for guest satisfaction and trust.

Encouragement of Reuse: Some hotels use this practice as part of their sustainability initiatives. By positioning towels on the bed instead of in the bathroom, they encourage guests to reuse towels, thereby reducing laundry loads and minimizing environmental impact.

Branding: The presentation of towels can be a component of a hotel's branding strategy, reinforcing their commitment to quality and service. This practice can leave a lasting positive impression on guests.

Guest Insights: From a former hotel housekeeper's perspective, the towel placement practice is often misunderstood. Towel holders in the bathroom are standard, and placing towels on the bed is not a common practice. This innovative approach can be seen as more of a guest-affront than a welcome change.

Common Challenges for Guests

While hotels aim for guest satisfaction, some of their practices can turn out to be more of an inconvenience. Here are a few guest experiences that highlight these issues:

Extra Folded Towels

Some hotels place folded towels on the bed upon guest arrival. However, this often leads to inconvenience as guests must pick these towels up and place them in the bathroom. This can be particularly frustrating, especially when they need to use the counter for their hand towels, which can take up space and allow the towels to get wet.

Excess Decorative Pillows

Another annoyance for guests is the excessive use of decorative pillows. Hotels with 12 or more pillows on a bed can be chaotic for guests. It's common to find these pillows scattered on the bed, making it difficult to lay down or use the space efficiently. Some guests hide these pillows in the closet, but housekeepers often drag them out and return them to their original positions.

Example: At a recent stay, the hotel featured a 6 ft long tube pillow. The guest attempted to hide it but it was returned to the bed daily. This behavior can lead to negative feedback, such as bad reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor.

Conclusion

The practice of leaving towels folded on beds can be well-intentioned but may not always enhance the guest experience. Hotels must balance modern innovations with guest preferences to ensure a seamless and enjoyable stay. Offering both towel holders for convenience and stylistic presentations can satisfy a wider range of guests and align with the principles of sustainability and quality service.