Guest towel: why the mini hammam towel is such a good fit
A fresh guest towel is a small gesture that visitors notice straight away. It says: someone thought of me here. Nobody wants to wonder after washing their hands whether they have just used the hosts' own towel. In this guide you will learn what makes a good guest towel, why a small hammam towel is so well suited to the job and how to prepare your guest bathroom for an evening with friends or for overnight visitors.
Contents11
- What is a guest towel?
- What makes a good guest towel
- Guest towels compared: which material works?
- Why the mini hammam towel is such a good fit
- Folding guest towels nicely: three simple options
- How many guest towels do you need?
- Preparing the guest bathroom: a short checklist
- When guests stay overnight
- Hygiene: when guest towels belong in the wash
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
What is a guest towel?
A guest towel is a small hand towel kept ready in the bathroom specifically for visitors. Sizes around 30 × 50 cm are common, so considerably smaller than a normal hand towel. It is mainly used for drying hands and ideally washed after every visit – or even changed after each use when there are larger groups.
Guest towels have two jobs: they are hygienic, because visitors do not have to use the family towel, and they are part of the bathroom's design. Especially in a guest toilet they are often the only textile in the room and shape the impression.
What makes a good guest towel
- Quick-drying: If several guests wash their hands one after another, the towel should not be soaked after the third time.
- Space-saving: There is little room in a guest toilet. Several towels should fit in a small drawer or basket.
- Nice to look at: The towel is a small showcase for your home.
- Easy care: Guest towels are washed often. They should cope well with that and dry again quickly.
Guest towels compared: which material works?
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Terry | Soft, familiar, absorbs a lot of water | Dries more slowly, needs more space |
| Flat-woven cotton (hammam towel) | Dries quickly, thin, patterns and fringes | Feels thinner than terry |
| Waffle piqué | Light, textured, dries quickly | Looks rather plain |
| Paper towels | Single use, no laundry | Lots of waste, not very cosy |
Why the mini hammam towel is such a good fit
The Diamant mini hammam towel combines the advantages of flat-woven cotton with a special look. According to the product description, it is intended among other things as a hand towel and face towel – which makes it ideal as a guest towel.
| Feature | Diamant mini hammam towel |
|---|---|
| Size | approx. 90 × 45 cm |
| Weight | approx. 120 g |
| Material | 100 % OEKO-TEX certified cotton |
| Origin | handmade on the Aegean coast of Turkey |
| Look | diamond pattern, hand-knotted fringes |
| Colours | beige, blue, yellow, grey, mint |
| Care | machine washable at 30 °C, air-drying recommended |
| Price | €15.90 |
At approx. 90 × 45 cm it is larger than a classic guest towel. Folded once lengthwise, however, it hangs on any towel rail and still offers enough surface if a guest wants to dry their face after freshening up. The fringes fall nicely downwards.
Colour to suit the occasion
With five colours you can match the guest towel to your bathroom and the season. Beige and grey look understated and go with almost any tile. Yellow and mint bring freshness to the bathroom in spring; blue looks clear and maritime. A practical side effect: if guest towels have their own colour, nobody mixes them up with the family's towels.
Folding guest towels nicely: three simple options
How a towel is presented makes a big difference. These three options work even without practice:
- Classic thirds: Fold the towel lengthwise into thirds, then in half crosswise. That way it lies flat on the vanity with the fringes facing forward.
- Rolled in a small dish: Fold in half lengthwise and roll up tightly from the short side. In a shallow bowl or small basket it looks like a hotel – ideal when several guests are expected.
- On the rail with fringes: Fold lengthwise and hang it over the rail so that both fringed edges fall equally low. It looks tidy and shows off the diamond pattern.
Whatever the option, the important thing is that the towel is clearly recognisable as a guest towel. If it hangs among the family's towels, guests often do not dare to use it.
The right spot in the guest toilet
Guest toilets often lack a towel rail right next to the washbasin. A small hook next to the mirror, a ring on the wall or a shelf on the cistern quickly solve the problem. Collect used towels in a small basket under the washbasin – that way nothing wet lies on the vanity and the fresh towels stay clean. You will find more design ideas in our article Bathroom decor with hammam towels.
How many guest towels do you need?
As a rough guide: the maximum number of guests you have in an evening divided by three – and then the same number again as a reserve for the laundry. For a dinner with six people, two towels in the bathroom and two in the cupboard are enough. For larger parties it is worth putting out a small stack so everyone can take a fresh towel.
How many towels a household needs in total is covered in our article How many towels do you need?.
Preparing the guest bathroom: a short checklist
- Fresh guest towel hung clearly visible next to the washbasin or laid folded on the vanity.
- With several guests, put out a small stack and add a basket for used towels.
- Refill soap or shower gel. A dispenser is more hygienic than a bar of soap that everyone touches.
- Put out hand cream: A small touch that guests like to use, for example the VEGAN FOX Nourishing hand cream with 120 ml.
- Place a spare toilet roll where it can be seen, so nobody has to search.
- Air the room and take a last look at the mirror and washbasin shortly before the guests arrive.
When guests stay overnight
For overnight guests, a guest towel alone is not enough. Put a small set on the bed or in the guest area for each guest: a large towel for showering, a small one for face and hands and, if needed, a towel for their hair. A large hammam towel such as the Ocean hammam towel at 180 × 100 cm is practical for this because it dries quickly and can be used again the next morning. With six colours, you can give each guest their own colour.
Add a VEGAN FOX shower gel – and your guests do not have to ask what they are allowed to use.
Hygiene: when guest towels belong in the wash
Guest towels belong in the wash after every visit, even if they look unused. At parties with many guests, it makes sense to change the towel in between. According to the care instructions, the mini hammam towel is washed at 30 °C, and air-drying is recommended. If someone in the household is ill, it is especially worthwhile putting out a separate, fresh towel for guests.
Related reading: Mini hammam towel in the kitchen: a tea towel with style · Changing Towels: How Often? Guidelines for Every Towel · Hammam towel as a bath mat: practical or not?
Conclusion
A good guest towel dries quickly, takes up little space and looks nice. The Diamant mini hammam towel ticks all three boxes and can be chosen in five colours to suit your bathroom. With two to four towels, a hand cream and a short checklist, your guest bathroom is ready for any visit – and for overnight guests, a large hammam towel completes the set.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a guest towel?
Sizes around 30 × 50 cm are common. At approx. 90 × 45 cm, the mini hammam towel is larger but can be folded and hung up just the same.
Isn't the mini hammam towel too big as a guest towel?
Folded once, it fits on any towel rail. The advantage: guests can also dry their face if they want to.
How often should I change guest towels?
After every visit. At big parties, better put out a fresh towel in between or provide a stack.
Can I use the mini hammam towel myself too?
Of course. According to the description, it is also suitable as a hair, face or sports towel and in the kitchen.
Are guest towels a good host gift?
Yes, for a housewarming for example. Two towels in different colours make a gift that actually gets used.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.