Linen use changes during the winter months, especially in areas experiencing low temperatures. Higher occupancy, winter events, increased demand for blankets and heavier bedding, and the frequent use of robes all contribute to different inventory needs during the winter months. Take some time ahead of the winter season to evaluate your property’s PAR levels. Successfully setting your PAR level will help you balance guest satisfaction and your bottom line. 

What is a PAR Level?

PAR levels indicate the minimum amount of inventory that a property needs for operations to run smoothly. For a standard 3-PAR system, you stock:

• One set in guest rooms
• One set being laundered
• One clean set in storage/ready to use

Typical PAR Levels

PAR levels vary by property and linen type. Many hotels operate with a 3- to 5-PAR system for frequently changed linens—sheets, pillowcases, and bath towels. Items replaced less frequently, such as pillows or mattress encasements, may require lower PAR levels (1.25 to 2). Similarly, cold-weather items like extra blankets typically follow a lower PAR system. Some hotels increase their PAR levels to provide additional inventory when off-site laundry turnaround times are longer or less predictable. 

Calculating PAR Levels

Calculation methods vary, but the two formulas below offer a starting point for determining inventory needs. 

• Bed linen equation: (# of beds) x (# of items per bed) x (desired PAR level)
• Bathroom linen equation: (# of rooms) x (# of items per bathroom) x (desired PAR level)

For example, if your 100-room hotel has 150 queen beds, your inventory levels for a few items might look like this:

• (150 beds) x (2 flat sheets per bed) x (3-PAR) = 900 flat sheets
• (100 rooms) x (4 bath towels per bathroom) x (3-PAR) = 1200 bath towels 
• (150 beds) x (2 robes) x (3-PAR) = 900 bathrobes

Factors that Affect PAR Levels During Winter

PAR levels aren’t one-size-fits-all, and what works for one season might not make sense for winter. Instead, your property must consider the following: 

• Seasonal occupancy fluctuations
• Holiday travel patterns
• Increased room turnover
• Special events 
• Increased requests for extra bedding
• Spa and pool usage
• Seasonal changes to housekeeping or laundry schedules
• Weather delays affecting laundry turnaround time
• Weather delays and holiday closures affecting lead time for re-ordering
• High stain/damage rates 

How to Determine Winter PAR Levels

1. Review Past & Projected Occupancy

Does your hotel benefit from winter tourism? If you’re in a tourist town, a ski resort or lodge, or regularly see high occupancy rates in winter, raise your PAR levels accordingly. High occupancy leads to increased room turnover and more people who may request extra bedding. Laundry partners might struggle to keep up with rapid turnover, but bumping up your PAR level, like moving from a 3-PAR to a 4- or 5-PAR level, can help ensure clean linens are always available. 

2. Consider the Weather in Your Area

Do you know what happens to laundry or supplier lead times if there’s poor weather? Make sure that your PAR levels account for winter weather-related delays. Inquire about any lead time changes during busy holiday months. A change in lead time by just a single day can affect your property’s ability to meet guest needs. Consider adding a buffer to your inventory based on the likelihood of weather-related delays.

3. Account for Cold Weather Guest Habits 

Guests at ski resorts, mountain properties, and other cold-weather destinations enjoy amenities like spas and indoor pools after long days spent outside. Expect guests to use more pool towels, plush robes, and luxurious cotton bath towels than normal. Anticipate more requests for extra blankets too, especially if your property caters to families with kids. 

4. Review Your Linen Replacement Rate

When determining PAR, you also need to account for linens being removed from service. Take a look at how often your hotel retires linens due to stains, tears, fraying, excessive wear, loss, and other damage. If your property loses or retires linens faster than expected, consider building additional inventory into your PAR levels to sustain a busy winter season. 

5. Don’t Order More than You Can Store

Your research might reveal a need to increase your stock of specialty items, like robes or warm blankets. But don’t order more until you’ve figured out a storage plan. Any increase in stock should account for available storage space and may require reconfiguring your current storage areas. Overcrowded linen closets can make it difficult to keep linens organized, protected, and readily accessible. 

6. Let This Year’s Experience Inform Next Year’s Plan

Assess your linens at the end of the winter season. Which products had the most wear and tear? What did you have to reorder sooner than expected? Did you ever run out of stock? Let this data inform next winter’s purchasing habits and PAR levels. 

Restock Winter Essentials with Venus

Ready to increase your inventory for winter? Connect with a Venus textile specialist today by calling 800.421.6599 or emailing sales@venusgroup.com. From plush winter robes to luxurious ski-resort-ready towels, Venus offers the hospitality textiles you need to create a comfortable guest experience this winter.