What is the hotel etiquette for towels?

The Unspoken Rules of Hotel Towels: A Guide to Proper Etiquette

The humble hotel towel. A seemingly insignificant item, yet its proper handling can speak volumes about your consideration for the hotel staff and the overall cleanliness of your stay. While there’s no official “Towel Etiquette Handbook,” understanding the unspoken rules surrounding these fluffy necessities ensures a smoother experience for everyone.

The most crucial aspect revolves around disposal, or rather, placement. Simply put: used towels belong inside your room. Leaving them strewn about hallways, propped against doors, or even worse, discarded in common areas creates a tripping hazard, inconveniences housekeeping, and frankly, looks messy.

The most common, and generally accepted, method of indicating a towel is ready for cleaning is to place it on the bathroom floor or on the designated towel rack. These visual cues are easily spotted by housekeeping staff, streamlining their cleaning process and ensuring a timely turnaround. Placing a used towel in the bathtub is also acceptable in many hotels, although placing it on the floor or rack is generally preferred.

What you should absolutely avoid:

• Leaving towels in the hallway: This poses a significant safety risk, potentially causing someone to slip and fall. Furthermore, it exposes towels to theft or damage.
• Leaving wet towels bundled up: This prevents proper drying and can lead to unpleasant odours or even mold growth.
• Using towels for purposes other than their intended use: Avoid using towels as makeshift cleaning cloths for spills or shoes. While tempting in a pinch, it’s disrespectful to the hotel’s supplies and increases the workload for housekeeping.

Proper towel etiquette isn’t about rigid rules; it’s about demonstrating respect for the hotel staff and maintaining a clean and safe environment. By simply placing your used towels in the designated areas within your room, you contribute to a more efficient and pleasant experience for everyone involved – including yourself, during your next stay. After all, a clean and well-maintained room contributes to a more relaxing and enjoyable vacation.