When guests head to your pool or beachside area, one of the first things they are going to notice is the quality of the pool towels you provide. It’s one of those minor but powerful details that shape the guest experience.
No one wants to dry off with a scratchy, thin towel or sit on damp, heavy fabric. As a hotel, resort, or beach club operator, the kind of beach towels you choose matters more than you might think. Investing in high-quality hotel supplies, including beach towels, can enhance the overall guest experience and uplift your property’s reputation.
In this guide, we’ll help you pick the best beach towels for your property, explain how they differ from bath towels, and share simple tips to keep them fresh and guest-ready.What Is a Beach Towel?
A beach towel is more than just a larger bath towel. It’s a specially designed, water-absorbent, quick-drying towel made for outdoor activities like swimming, sunbathing, or picnicking by the shore.
Unlike regular towels, beach towels are designed to:
- Be large enough to fully stretch out on
- Shake off the sand easily
- Dry fast after getting wet
- Feature vibrant colors and bold designs that don’t fade
Beach Towel vs. Bath Towel: What’s the Difference?
Although both are designed to dry you off, beach towels and bath towels are constructed differently to suit their respective environment. Here’s a quick comparison:
Beach Towel vs. Bath Towel: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Beach Towel | Bath Towel |
| Primary Use | Ideal for outdoor use at the beach, poolside, or lounging under the sun. | Designed for indoor use drying off after a bath or shower. |
| Size | Approx. 30” × 58” to 35” × 70” (larger for full-body coverage and beach lounging). | Approx. 22” × 44” to 27” × 54” (smaller, meant for drying the body after bathing). |
| Fabric Weight (GSM) | 300–400 GSM (lightweight, dries quickly, easy to shake off sand). | 400–600 GSM (denser, softer, absorbs and retains more water). |
| Absorbency | Highly absorbent but with low water retention dries fast. | Highly absorbent but holds moisture longer, dries slower. |
| Durability | Designed to withstand outdoor exposure to sun, chlorine, saltwater, and sand. | Made for indoor use and home or hotel bathroom laundering. |
| Design/Appearance | Typically features bold, colorful patterns, stripes, or brand embroidery for visibility and style. | Usually plain, white, or neutral tones for a clean, minimal bathroom aesthetic. |
| Purpose-built Features | Larger size and lighter weave make it suitable for sunbathing, beach lounging, and pool use. | Thicker, plush texture makes it ideal for post-shower comfort and warmth. |
How to Choose the Best Beach Towel for Your Hotel or Resort
Choosing the right beach towels for your hotel or resort isn’t just about size and color it’s about selecting materials, weights, and designs that hold up under commercial use while providing guests with a comfortable experience. Here’s a clear breakdown of what matters most:
Material Matters
The material of a beach towel plays a big role in how it feels, performs, and lasts after repeated washes. For hospitality use, your main options are:
- 100% Cotton:
This is the preferred choice for softness, breathability, and natural absorbency. Cotton towels feel gentle against the skin, soak up water well, and are naturally durable — ideal for beach and pool use. - 86/14 Cotton-Polyester Blend:
A practical option for commercial properties, this blend combines the comfort of cotton with the added durability and quicker drying properties of polyester. It’s less prone to shrinking and holds up better in repeated commercial laundry cycles.
Within 100% cotton options, two types stand out for hospitality:
- Pima Cotton:
Grown in the USA, known for its long fibers and soft, plush feel. It absorbs water well but dries faster than heavier cotton types. - Turkish Cotton:
Similar to Pima, Turkish cotton is absorbent and dries quickly, making it a strong option for beach towels used outdoors.
Avoid Egyptian cotton for beach use while luxurious, it tends to retain moisture longer, making it less practical for fast-paced guest turnover.
Ideal GSM Range: 300–400 GSM
GSM (grams per square meter) measures a towel’s weight and thickness. For hotel beach towels:
- 300–400 GSM is ideal.
This range strikes the right balance between absorbency and quick drying. Towels within this range are light enough to dry quickly and shake off sand, but dense enough to comfortably dry guests after a swim.
Towels above 400 GSM may feel more plush but are slower to dry and tend to hold onto moisture, which isn’t suitable for outdoor use.
Low Water Retention
The best beach towels should absorb water effectively, but not hold onto it for long periods. Wet, heavy towels are uncomfortable for guests and slow to dry between uses.
A key detail to check is the towel’s pile and twist:
- Low-twist piles (fewer tight loops) make a towel feel softer and allow it to dry faster.
- Higher-twist towels tend to be denser and slower to dry better suited for bath towels, not the beach.
For hospitality, a low-twist pile ensures your beach towels stay guest-ready throughout the day.
Size & Coverage
Size matters, especially for outdoor settings.
- The standard hotel beach towel size is around 30” x 58”.
For upscale resorts or family-friendly properties, offering oversized options like 35” x 70” can elevate the guest experience.
Larger towels give guests more space to stretch out, dry off, and stay comfortable on the sand or poolside.
Design That Stands Out
A beach towel does more than dry your guests it also represents your property.
- Go for bold colors, clean stripes, tropical patterns, or custom embroidery that reflects your brand identity, and stay visible outdoors.
- Bright towels are easier for guests to spot and less likely to get misplaced in busy areas.
- Custom-branded towels also leave a memorable impression and add a premium touch to your amenities.
How to Pick the Perfect Beach Towel
- Prioritize comfort over price: Cheap towels feel rough and wear out quickly. Higher-quality towels offer lasting value, staying soft and colorfast after multiple washes.
- Choose bigger sizes for a better guest experience: A generously sized towel makes beach lounging more enjoyable and practical.
- Pick vibrant colors and patterns: Bright towels are easier to spot on a crowded beach and reinforce your brand’s visual identity.
How to Properly Clean and Care for Beach Towels
Keeping your hotel’s beach towels soft, fresh, and sand-free doesn’t have to be a hassle. Follow these simple cleaning tips:
Shake it out: Always shake off sand before washing.
Wash separately: Beach towels gather sand and sunscreen, so wash them apart from bath linens.
Use white vinegar or baking soda: Run a hot cycle with either to kill bacteria and remove odors.
Dry thoroughly: Make sure towels are completely dry before storing to avoid musty smells.
Quick Checklist for Buying the Best Beach Towels
- 100% Cotton or 86/14 Cotton-Polyester blend
- 300-400 GSM for ideal weight and quick drying
- Low water retention & low-twist pile
- Size: Minimum 30” x 58”
- Bold colors and patterns for easy recognition
- Soft, durable, and fade-resistant
Shop Wholesale Beach Towels at DZEE USA
Ready to upgrade your beachfront amenities? At DZEE USA, we offer premium wholesale beach towels made from 100% cotton and durable blends built for commercial use, soft on the skin, and designed to dry fast.
Whether you run a hotel, resort, or beach club, our bulk beach towels are available in a variety of sizes, GSM weights, and color options to match your brand. Fast shipping, excellent rates, and exceptional service guaranteed.
Explore our wholesale beach towel collection today and let your guests lounge in comfort and style.
Final Word
A day at the beach should be relaxing, not ruined by a subpar towel. Choose premium-quality, fast-drying, and generously sized beach towels to deliver a better guest experience and protect your reputation.
And remember at DZEE USA, we’ve got your hotel linen needs covered.
DZEE Textiles is your one-stop shop for all hospitality supplies, serving more than 10,000 customers in the United States. As a wholesale supplier of high-quality hotel supplies, we offer top-notch towels, bed linens, decorative bedding, hotel accessories, electrical appliances, cleaning supplies, and other hospitality items at wholesale prices, with free shipping on most orders. With over 20 years of experience and distribution centers in Orlando, FL; Knoxville, TN; Dallas, TX; and Las Vegas, NV, we ensure quick distribution and unmatched service across the USA.