When buying towels for a lodging establishment, the most important number is not the price: it's the grammage. It determines how the towel feels, how much it absorbs, how long it takes to dry, and how many washes it can withstand before being discarded.
What grammage means
Grammage is measured in grams per square meter (g/m²) and indicates the density of the fabric. Higher grammage means more cotton per centimeter: a thicker, more absorbent, and more durable towel. It's also heavier, slower to dry, and more expensive to wash.
There is no "best" grammage. There is the right grammage for each use.
450 g/m²: the cost-effective standard
This is the workhorse grammage for hospitality. Absorbent enough for guests, lightweight for quick drying, and economical to wash. It perfectly withstands daily industrial laundering.
Ideal for: tourist apartments, hostels, 2–3 star hotels, and for washcloths and hand towels in any accommodation.
520 g/m²: the balance
A step up, with American terry and a noticeably denser feel. Guests perceive the difference without laundry costs skyrocketing.
Ideal for: 3–4 star hotels, mid-to-high-end apartments, accommodations competing for reviews.
600 g/m²: the premium feel
A thick, fluffy towel, the kind a guest remembers. It's also the slowest to dry and the heaviest in the laundry cycle, so it's best to reserve it for where it makes a difference.
Ideal for: 4–5 star hotels, spas, suites, and large bath towels where the impact is greatest.
The strategy professionals use
The same grammage isn't necessary for every item in the bathroom. A common and efficient combination:
- Bath towel (100x150): 520 or 600 g/m² — this is what guests notice most.
- Hand towel (50x100): 450 g/m² — frequent use, quick drying.
- Washcloth (30x50): 450 g/m² — high rotation, low cost.
- Bath mat: 650 g/m² — needs density to absorb and prevent slipping.
This way, you concentrate spending where it's perceived and save where it's not.
A note on true cost
A 600 g/m² towel weighs one-third more than a 450 g/m² towel. This translates to more weight per load, more consumption, and longer drying time—every day, all year long. Before increasing the grammage throughout your establishment, calculate the laundry cost, not just the purchase cost.
And vice versa: a cheap, low-grammage towel that needs to be replaced every season ends up being more expensive than a professional one that lasts for years.
Our range
At Lenora, we offer all three grammages in 100% cotton: Greca 450, Lisa 450/520, and Cenefa Líneas 600 g/m², in sizes from 30x50 to 100x150 cm. If you prefer to sort it all out at once, our bath packs include all three sizes in the grammage of your choice.