100% Cotton, Bedding, Hotel -

What bedding do hotels use?

Luxury hotels use simple, traditional, and proven bedding choices designed for comfort, durability, and temperature control.

Fabric Material: 100% Cotton

Most luxury hotels use 100% cotton sheets, usually long-staple cotton. Cotton is breathable, durable, and comfortable across a wide range of temperatures. Synthetic blends are avoided because they trap heat and wear out faster.



cotton balls plant

Weave: Percale

Hotels typically choose percale weave sheets.

Percale has a crisp, lightweight feel and allows better airflow than sateen. This is why hotel sheets often feel cool when you first get into bed.

Percale weave is a type of fabric construction characterized by a tight, one-over-one-under pattern, resulting in a balanced, matte finish that is crisp and smooth. This weaving technique typically uses long-staple cotton fibers, which contribute to the fabric's softness, durability, and breathability, making it an ideal choice for bed sheets. Percale is known for its cool feel and is often preferred for its lightweight quality.

Thread Count: 200 - 400

Despite popular belief, luxury hotels do not use very high thread counts.

A 200 - 400 thread count offers the best balance of:

  • Breathability
  • Comfort
  • Longevity

Higher numbers are often marketing-led and can feel heavier and warmer.


The 200-240 thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric, indicating its quality and softness. A 200 thread count typically means there are 100 threads in the warp and 100 threads in the weft, resulting in a finer weave that feels softer.

Colour: White

White bedding is standard in hotels because it:

  • Signals cleanliness
  • Can be washed at high temperatures
  • Creates a calm, neutral sleep environment

It also makes rooms feel brighter and more spacious.

Duvets: Light and Lofty

Hotel duvets are usually lightweight with good loft, rather than heavy. This allows comfort without overheating and suits guests with different temperature preferences.

Pillows: Choice and Layering

Hotels provide multiple pillow types, such as soft, medium, and sometimes firm, allowing guests to adjust comfort easily.

The Key Takeaway

Luxury hotel bedding focuses on breathability, simplicity, and consistency, not trends.

If you want hotel-style sleep at home, the most important things are:

  • 100% cotton
  • Percale weave
  • Moderate thread count
  • Lightweight bedding
Back to Hotel Bedding

Tags