Bath Mats v. Bath Rugs: What’s the Difference and Which is Better for Your Hotel Guests’ Experience?
Most hotel bathroom floors are bare and made with tile, which can get extremely slippery when wet. Water from a bath or shower can drip onto the floor, or our wet feet from a shower or bath can be our worst enemy on a tile floor. To counter both of these issues – and to help keep the floor dry and safe – people either use a bath mat or bath towel, and while both serve the same purpose, they are different in form and function. Let’s look at both.
Luxury Hotel Bath Mats
Most hotel bathrooms have a bath mat strewn over the tub or folded on a shelf. Their purpose is to absorb any water that leaks from the tub or shower, and keep the bathroom floor dry.
Most towel sets come with a bath mat, which, like bath towels, are typically made from cotton. All of 1Concier’s towel collections include a bath mat like the DryIQ Towel collection (LINK TO BLOG), Traditional Towel Collection, VIP Towel collection and Kings Row Towel collection. We also offer the Guest Spa Diamante, which is part of the Guest Spa collection and is available in white and slate.
You can also find bath mats made from microfiber, bamboo wood or teak. Microfiber mats are very plush and they dry quickly, whereas bamboo or teak bath mats bring more of a spa-like vibe, and are treated with anti-mold and anti-mildew varnish. As a result, they require virtually no maintenance, are very durable and can last a long time.
The standard bath mat size is 20 x 30 inches, and the rectangular shape makes them easy to place in front of a shower or tub. And, because they are washed and dried after each guest’s stay, a bath mat may need to be replaced every few months, especially if frayed or loose threads are visible.
Luxury Hotel Bath Rugs
Bath rugs, on the other hand, have more of an aesthetic function and while they can catch and absorb water, that’s not their main job. Instead, a bath rug is often an accessory to the décor of a bathroom that comes in many shapes, sizes and materials.
Cotton and microfiber bath rugs are both very absorbent, but can become moldy quickly. Wool rugs, on the other hand, possess moisture-wicking qualities allowing for better airflow which helps them dry quickly and make them an excellent choice for hotel bathrooms.
Regardless of the material used, bath rugs can be tufted or woven. Tufted rugs are created by punching the yarn through a backing material to form loops or piles. Because the tufting process does not anchor the yarn as securely as weaving does, the loops can start to fray and pull out over time due to regular washing or simple wear and tear like foot traffic.
Woven rugs, on the other hand, are made by interlocking vertical (warp) and horizontal (weft) threads, which prevents the loops from pulling out easily. The result is a rug that withstands general wear and tear and launder cycles and last longer than tufted rugs.
Which Is Right for Your Hotel?
The answer is, it all depends.
Bath mats help keep the bathroom floor dry and, and while they aren’t meant to add style to the bathroom, they do add function. Bath rugs are the opposite in that they can add plenty of style, but their function in a hotel bathroom isn’t as apparent. Sure, they can add warmth and color, but they aren’t necessarily as absorbent as bath mats.
To learn more about your options and which is better for your hotel guests, contact one of our in-house experts. We’d love to help!
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Choose from 14 Luxury Hotel Towel and Pool Towel Collections. We offer 100% Cotton, Cotton-Polyester blend, Pima, and Bamboo. From quick-drying absorbent towels to intricate borders and weaves, we have the right towel collection for you!
We offer a wide selection of luxury hotel sheets, bedding, blankets, and pillows in various qualities to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for premium cotton sheets, soft and durable blankets, or plush pillows, we have options that ensure both comfort and elegance for your guests.
Our premium bathrobes can be found and many luxury hotels and spas, adding a touch of elegance and comfort to your guest experience. We also offer a range of guest room amenities.
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