choosing the correct linen for your establishment

As the owner of an establishment, your brand is built upon the quality and level of hospitality offered to your guests. This includes the initial impression of the establishment and an individual guest’s room, down to the quality of the sheets and the linens your guests will use. An error on this part to provide an experience above and beyond the level of expectation detracts from your brand’s image. Therefore, choosing quality linens for establishment is of high importance.

Create an environment where your guests hate to leave and they’ll come back as soon as they can! Here are a few tips to help guide you in acquiring your linens.

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Before you start buying linens for each bedroom, make a note of how many beds you’ll be fitting within each room as well as their respective sizes. Especially the depth and the length.  You will not believe how many establishments I have been to and only on me measuring the bed, does the relevant person then discover that the beds are in actual fact XD/XL.  No wonder the fitted sheets never used to fit!!!

I find that single beds are the best option as the beds can be used as singles or can be converted to a king size (with the help of a mattress convertor) on request.

You’ll also want to have a quality blanket for each bed as well to be placed within a guest accessible drawer or cupboard.

When choosing the quality of your bed linens, ensure that the material is a percale, polycotton or 100% cotton, with a thread count of at least 200.

You’re going for quality and guest experience here, after all.

Also consider choosing white as to avoid any fading colours. White also has the advantage of looking crisp and fresh and giving an airy and welcoming feel to the room.

You will need a mattress protectors and pillow protectors.  I do recommend wetsafe, as this protects against any spillage that can occur.  I have a full description of the different options on my website.

Fitted sheets – I do recommend an XD as this covers most of the depths of the mattress.

Flat sheets – This is a requirement for any graded establishment as per the Tourism Grading Council.      

Duvet Covers – Always take a size bigger that the actual bed size.  This ensures that the mattress is covered all round.  ¾ beds tend to be a problem as a double duvet is too big.

Duvet Inners and Pillows – Buy the best quality you can afford.  This not only adds to your guests comfort but also longevity of the product.  Buy quality/Buy once.  Try to stick to synthetic fibres (ball fibre/micro fibre) as there are so many people allergic to feathers.

Coordination is key. If colours don’t coordinate, the flow will feel off for the guest. Consider going with white, neutral, or mid-tones when choosing your colour coordination.

Your guests’ experience is a substantial aspect of your brand’s image. Build your linens around this rule and you’ll see your guests coming back repeatedly.