Five-star hotels are renowned for their luxurious bath robes. Those ultra-soft and cozy robes are a delight to slip into after a long day of travel, and you can capture that same “ahh” moment at home, too.
Five-star hotels are renowned for their luxurious bath robes. Those ultra-soft and cozy robes are a delight to slip into after a long day of travel, and you can capture that same “ahh” moment at home, too.
We’ll guide you through the ins and outs of hotel-quality robes so you can find the perfect one to add a touch of luxe to your everyday life.
Which Type of Hotel Robe Should I Get?
You have several options when it comes to hotel-quality robes. The most important factors to consider are material and length.
The best material will be the one that suits the way you plan to use your robe. Want to step out of the shower and straight into your robe? Choose an absorbent material such as microfiber or cotton. Prefer something warm and cozy? Go for a fleece option.
Read on to learn more about each type of material and see the most common length options.
Hotel Robe Material - How to Choose Material for Your Hotel-Quality Robe
There are a few go-to materials that five-star hotels and spas choose for their robes. We’ll help you find the perfect material for your luxury robe by covering the characteristics of these options:
- Microfiber
- Cotton
- Fleece
- Terry cloth
- Waffle knit
Microfiber
Microfiber is a lightweight, breathable material that can mimic the luxurious qualities of other fabrics, such as cotton or silk, while eliminating their drawbacks. With fibers that are less than half the size of a single human hair, microfiber offers high absorbency while maintaining a light, comfortable weight.
Microfibers are extremely durable and resist stains as well as mold and mildew. Their durability, low maintenance, and incredible softness make microfiber robes a popular choice for five-star hotels and a great option for bringing high-end comfort to your everyday life.
Cotton
There’s a wide variety of cotton robe options, including cotton blends, but upscale hotels typically choose 100% classic, Egyptian, or Turkish cotton for the most luxurious experience. Classic and Turkish cotton are ultra-absorbent but dry quickly, making them the perfect material for those who like to slip on a robe right after a relaxing bath. Egyptian cotton is also absorbent, but its incredible softness is a trade off for a slower drying time.
Fleece
Fleece is a particular style of polyester knit that provides the comforting softness of wool without the weight or hefty price tag. Coral and polar are the two most common types of fleece, but high-end hotels tend to use coral fleece for their robes because it’s fluffier and feels more indulgent. Fleece is the perfect option if you want a robe that’s warm, fast drying, and incredibly soft.
Shop our luxury coral fleece lined robes here.
Terry Cloth
Despite having “cloth” in its name, terry cloth is a type of weave rather than a fabric. We’ve included it here because shoppers often think of it as a material, and we want to provide a comprehensive look at your options for hotel-quality robes.
Terry cloth is most often made from cotton fabric, though it can also be made from other materials such as linen or polyester. Most hotels and spas choose cotton for their terry cloth fabric. The special weave that creates terry cloth increases the surface area of the fabric, making terry cloth robes extremely absorbent and soft.
Waffle Knit
As with terry cloth, waffle knit is a particular type of weave rather than a fabric, and it’s typically made from cotton or microfiber. A waffle knit weave creates a raised texture that’s typically in a pattern of either squares (waffle) or diamonds (honeycomb).
Waffle knit fabrics are often called thermals because they provide exceptional warmth thanks to the raised pattern of the weave trapping air close to the body. As a trade off for warmth and coziness, waffle knit robes aren’t quite as soft to the touch as those with a standard or terry cloth weave.
How to Choose Length for Your Hotel-Quality Robe
High-end hotel robes come in three lengths: above-the-knee, mid-calf, and ankle-length. Unlike with materials, robe length doesn’t affect quality. The best length will depend on your personal style preferences and the climate where you live.
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Above-the-knee: This is the shortest robe option, hitting an inch or two above the knee. This length allows for the most maneuverability since your legs are uncovered. It’s a great choice for those days when you want to be cozy, but it’s too warm to be completely covered up.
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Mid-calf: This is the goldilocks of robe lengths — not too long, not too short. It’s the perfect length for all but the hottest weather, and it’s a great choice for those who prefer a more modest length.
- Ankle-length: An ankle-length robe is the longest robe length and extends down to the ankle. Since it covers you from shoulder to ankle, it’s the warmest option and is great for cooler climates. Equally as important, it just feels indulgent to be fully wrapped up in an ultra-luxurious bath robe!
It’s important to note that these lengths are all relative to your height. For instance, an above-the-knee robe might be calf-length for you if you're on the shorter side. If you’re tall, mid-calf might mean above-the-knee.
To ensure you get the fit you’re looking for, measure from your shoulder down to where you want the robe to extend. As you’re shopping, check the robe’s length against the measurement you took to get an accurate idea of how the robe will fit you.