After stepping out of the shower or tub, guests want a plush, absorbent towel for drying off. And hotels need to balance that desire with their own needs—like sticking to a budget and managing storage space. Understanding GSM can make choosing the right towels for your business easier.
Below, we’ll look at what GSM means, what the numbers indicate, and what else you should consider when purchasing hotel towels.
What Does GSM Mean?
GSM stands for grams per square meter. It’s the weight per square meter. When it comes to towels, GSM helps indicate a towel’s absorbency and durability.
Lower GSM numbers mean lighter, thinner towels. As the GSM number increases—for example, from 400 GSM to 500 GSM, towels become heavier and more absorbent. Most towels fall in the 300 GSM to 900 GSM range.
What are the Different GSM Ranges for Towels?
You can break GSM for towels into three levels—low-weight, medium-weight, and high-weight.
300-400 GSM
These towels are thinner, lighter, and coarser. Lower GSM towels also tend to dry faster, making them a practical choice for gym, kitchen, and hotel pool towels. However, hotel guests expect a higher-quality towel than this in their bathrooms.
400-600 GSM
Considered medium-weight towels, towels in this range are heavier, soft, and absorbent. Typical bath towels and high-quality beach towels fall into this category.
600-900 GSM:
If you’re after luxury, search for 600 to 900 GSM towels. Heavy-weight towels look and feel soft, plush, and highly absorbent. Keep in mind that towels in this range tend to cost more and take up more space in washing machines and storage closets.
What is the Right GSM for Hotel Towels?
There’s no magic number when it comes to GSM. However, a general rule of thumb is to stick with bath towels in the 500 to 700 GSM range. Medium-weight towels meet the desires of your guests and the needs of your business, striking a balance with absorbency, softness, cost, and practicality.
Don’t completely count out other towels, though. Lower-weight towels often work great as gym towels and kitchen towels. And heavy-weight towels may be worth the added expenses for 5-star hotels or luxury suites.
What Else to Keep in Mind When Buying Hotel Towels
Remember, GSM only tells part of the story. When shopping for hospitality towels, consider fabric type and construction too. For example, cotton-poly blend towels typically dry faster than all-cotton towels. And whether a towel is single or double-loop affects its dry time and feel. Check out our complete guide to buying hotel towels to learn more.
Trust Venus to Meet Your Towel Needs
Venus’ line of hospitality towels includes everything from sustainably-designed bath towels to striped beach towels to reusable make-up towels. Our U.S.-based manufacturing facilities and distribution points help us quickly fulfill your order. Questions? Reach out to one of our textile experts today by calling 800.421.6599 or emailing sales@venusgroup.com.
