Equipping a hotel with linens: what you need to order

Equipping a hotel involves identifying several categories of linens based on the services offered. Bed linen can include fitted sheets or flat sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases. Bath linen primarily includes towels, bath sheets, and mats, while table linen concerns establishments that offer dining facilities. Quantities must be calculated based on the number of rooms, linen rotation, and laundry operations. Composition, weave, weight, and manufacturing quality are among the criteria to compare.

What is needed to equip a hotel room?

Equipping a hotel room must be adapted to the bedding, the level of service offered, and the establishment's maintenance protocol. Bed linen can notably include a fitted sheet with a pocket depth suitable for the mattress thickness, a flat sheet, a duvet cover, and pillowcases. Bedding protectors can supplement this equipment to protect the mattress and pillows.

Bath linen comes in various formats: towels, bath sheets, bath mats, and, depending on the establishment's positioning, bathrobes or other complementary items. The weight, expressed in g/m², indicates the textile mass per unit area, but it does not alone determine the thickness, absorbency, or quality of a terry cloth. The nature of the fibers, construction, and finishes must also be taken into account.

Table linen concerns establishments offering dining services. Tablecloths and napkins are sized based on the number of place settings and rotation rhythm. For bed linen, different materials and weaves may be suitable for professional use depending on the desired feel and maintenance constraints. Consult our professional bed linen collection to compare the characteristics of the available items.

How many linen sets are needed per room?

Common practice involves providing several sets per bed. One set remains on the bed, a second is in the laundry, and a third remains in reserve. The exact number depends on the establishment's occupancy rate and laundry schedule. A hotel with a high occupancy rate requires more sets than a bed and breakfast open only a few weeks a year.

Stock rotation ensures that linen is available while other pieces are being washed, dried, or delivered. Maintenance cycles can alter the dimensions, appearance, or properties of the textile depending on its composition, construction, and treatment conditions. Therefore, stock must be calculated based on the occupancy rate, changeover frequency, and laundry turnaround time.

The same logic applies to bath linen. The number of towels and bath sheets to provide depends on the level of service, number of occupants, replacement frequency, and laundry operations. For professional bath linen, it is best to determine the necessary quantities based on the establishment's specific protocol rather than applying an identical number of pieces to all rooms.

Which ranges for which category of establishment?

Thread count is an indicator of fabric construction, but it alone does not determine quality or wear resistance. Fiber type, yarn quality, weave type, weight, and finishes must also be examined. Therefore, there is no universal thread count threshold that automatically associates a product with a specific accommodation category or washing frequency.

Furnished tourist rentals and concierge services can also compare new items with second-hand hotel linen. For the Second Life range, it is advisable to check product sheets for selection criteria, stated condition, offered savings, and the characteristics of each item at the time of ordering.

A hotel's star rating cannot be directly translated into a required weight or thread count. Criteria applicable to ratings and any requirements related to other labels should be distinguished from commercial recommendations regarding linen quality or positioning.

What weights should be chosen for bath linen?

Bath linen weight is measured in grams per square meter. It indicates the amount of material present on a given surface and is one of the criteria for comparing products. A higher weight may be associated with a denser or thicker textile depending on its construction, but it does not alone determine absorbency, softness, or durability.

Bath sheets, towels, and mats can be offered in different weights depending on their use and the desired level of comfort. To compare two items, you must also examine the nature and quality of the fibers, the construction of the terry cloth, the finishes, as well as the product's behavior after washing and drying.

The choice is also an operational compromise. A heavier item may require more resources for washing and drying, while a lighter textile may offer a different finish or feel. The relevant weight therefore depends on the product, the desired level of comfort, and the establishment's laundry constraints.

Textile certifications and labels do not all cover the same criteria. OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 relies on the control of substances according to the standard's requirements, while GOTS governs the processing of organic textiles according to environmental and social criteria. The EU Ecolabel is also based on a set of environmental criteria applicable to the products concerned. It is therefore advisable to check the precise scope of each certification rather than considering them equivalent.

Discover 12-packs of 500 g/m² bath sheets to view the specifications for this reference and determine if it meets your establishment's needs.

How is professional linen packaged?

Professional linen can be sold individually or in lots depending on the supplier and product. Packaging in multiple pieces can facilitate equipping a large stock, but the quantities offered should be verified on each product sheet. To maintain a consistent collection, it is also useful to check the future availability of the same products, shades, and specifications.

Small structures may prefer items available individually or in smaller packages when they do not need high volumes. The choice depends on the initial stock to be built and the planned replenishment rhythm.

Dimensions must be selected based on the bedding actually installed. For fitted sheets, the pocket depth must be adapted to the mattress thickness. Duvet covers and pillowcases come in various formats: it is therefore advisable to verify the dimensions of duvets and pillows before ordering.

Establishments with an in-house laundry may prefer larger stocks and spaced-out replenishment orders. Those that outsource laundry adjust their stock based on return times and the number of sets in circulation. Tourist tax and operating costs factor into the calculation of optimal stock but do not change the selection criteria for the linen itself. To learn more about weights and weaves, see how to choose professional bed linen.

How to obtain a quote for an entire facility?

A personalized quote allows you to calculate the cost of a full establishment setup based on the number of rooms, chosen categories, and selected ranges. It includes bed linen, protectors, bath linen, and, where applicable, table linen. This step avoids sizing errors and guarantees equipment consistency.

We offer hotel-quality linen at accessible prices, both new and reconditioned second-hand. The Second Life range offers professional linen that is reconditioned and checked before being resold, allowing for up to 50% savings compared to new linen of equivalent quality. Delivery is free on orders over €150, and a 30-day guarantee allows you to change your mind after receipt if the linen does not meet expectations.

The quote takes into account the number of sets per bed, desired rotation, and the necessary volume of bath linen. A hotel opening its doors for the first time should provide for initial equipment as well as a replacement stock to cover early losses and normal wear. Establishments renewing their existing stock can order only the missing items.

Concierge services and managers can combine orders intended for their seasonal rentals offered on Airbnb, Booking, Abritel, and Gîtes de France to benefit from free delivery. We support hosts, from bed and breakfasts to hotels, with solutions adapted to their volume. You can obtain a quote for your establishment by providing the number of rooms and the type of accommodation.