Quality bed linen as a foundation for a satisfied guest

Sleeping well and waking up refreshed pays off in guest satisfaction

A hotel stay stands or falls with the bed the guest sleeps in. Comfort is essential, and a good night's sleep is decisive. Joost Verrest, CEO of Linnenatwork, underlines the importance of high-quality bed linen for an optimal guest experience. "A sleekly made bed with fresh linen exudes both comfort and class. It offers the guest the luxury of a soft and clean bed and adds to the stay experience."

Sleep comfort appears to be such a crucial aspect that some guests even bring their own pillow to the hotel. "This shows that guests both want to experience the luxury of a hotel bed at home and seek the familiar comfort of home at the hotel," says Verrest. This is where Linnenatwork sees an opportunity: "We want to operate at exactly that interface and offer bed linen that combines the luxury hotel feel with homely comfort."

Advice and customisation for the hotelier

Choosing bed linen is not easy for hoteliers. Quality has to be balanced with budget and maintenance costs, making bed linen a significant expense. Besides the purchase, there is also the intensive washing cycle, which causes wear and tear. Linnenatwork therefore offers comprehensive advice. "Hoteliers often have limited knowledge of bed linen, even though it is a crucial investment. We put our expertise to work with them to make a choice that matches their requirements in terms of comfort, budget and sustainability."

The art of high-quality bed linen

High-quality bed linen is not just about a pleasantly soft fabric. Quality is determined by several factors, including thread density, cotton fibre length, weaving technique and finish. "Cotton is popular for its breathability and softness. Egyptian cotton, with its long fibres, offers extra luxury and strength. For hotels, we sometimes add 20% polyester to extend its life and reduce wrinkling," Verrest said.

A high thread count, or thread density, offers softness, but is not always ideal for industrial washing. "A balance is needed between comfort and maintenance. The weight of the linen, the finish, and wash and mangle resistance play a role. Also, most products are pre-shrunk to minimise shrinkage in the washing process," explains the CEO.

When creating sleeping comfort, Linnenatwork looks at the total bed. "Some hotels use waterproof moltons, but if they do not ventilate enough, this can actually disrupt comfort. A balance between ventilation and comfort is essential; every element, from mattress to duvet cover, should contribute to optimal sleep."

Quality pays off in hospitality and sustainability

Verrest stresses that investing in quality pays off. "Guests feel the difference, even if they don't always name it. High-quality bed linen contributes to comfort as well as to the hotel's reputation." Moreover, good bed linen offers a longer lifespan, even with intensive washing. Linnenatwork liaises with laundries to advise on optimal maintenance. "Good bed linen that is washed correctly wears out less quickly and reduces replacement costs. So it contributes not only to guest satisfaction, but also to sustainability."