Availability of Towels and Washcloths
Most hotels, motels, B&Bs, and resorts include bath towels and hand towels in the room as part of their standard amenities. Although towels are generally available worldwide, washcloths may not be offered in certain regions.
Towels
Standard rooms usually include fresh towels. If you need more, you can request them from housekeeping or the front desk. Some resorts offer specialized beach towels, while others prohibit taking room towels to the pool or beach. It is important to remember that towels are property of the hotel; taking them can result in charges to your credit card.
Reputable hotels sanitize towels between uses. While they are safe, some travelers prefer to bring their own travel towel, especially if they plan to use it outside of the room.
Quick-Dry Microfiber Option
This highly-rated Rainleaf microfiber towel (Amazon Link) comes in various sizes and colors to meet your needs. Composed of 85% polyester and 15% polyamide, the towel offers high absorbency and rapid drying and features a convenient snap loop for hanging. Its compact design ensures efficient packing by reducing both luggage space and weight, and it comes with a reusable carry bag featuring ventilation holes. The towel is machine washable, sand resistant, breathable, and constructed for durability.
Washcloths
Washcloths are generally not provided in hotels across most of Europe, including countries such as Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and parts of the United Kingdom. Many Europeans consider washcloths, or "flannels," to be personal items. Those who use them often bring their own, or alternatively use sponges, brushes, or their hands.
If you prefer using a washcloth, you can often purchase them locally in destination countries. Alternatively, travelers may choose to pack their own washcloths. However, packing multiple washcloths can take up valuable suitcase space, and dealing with damp, used washcloths can lead to issues like mildew. For those who opt to bring their own, a compact, quick-drying washcloth—such as a thin microfiber type made from polyester, nylon, or polyamide—is recommended. The Rainleaf microfiber towel, mentioned previously, is available in a 12x24 inch size that could be used as a washcloth. For a smaller alternative, consider the Elite Trail Magic Backpacking Ultralight Quick Dry Microfiber Towel.
Some travelers choose to bring loofahs or body sponges as alternatives.
Disposable Compressed Towels: A Washcloth Alternative
Many travelers find disposable compressed towels to be an effective solution for washcloths. The ones I recommend (Amazon Link) are made of 100% rayon fabric which are unscented, sturdy, and reusable (usually 2-3 times). These compressed towel tablets are individually wrapped and easy to carry in a suitcase, backpack, bag, or purse. With just a tablespoon of water, they expand into a full-sized cloth measuring 11 by 9.5 inches, providing a convenient washcloth option. When disposing of used cloths, be careful not to flush them, as they do not dissolve in water.
