Product details and information that caters to innkeepers
You’re a busy innkeeper. So busy, in fact, that while the rest of America was braving the crowds on Black Friday, you were at work, immersed in the busiest travel weekend of the year.
Now, with 13 shopping days left until Christmas, you’ve begun to feel the pinch. You need to buy gifts for your loved ones, but you just don’t have the time.
Continue reading Innkeepers Christmas Gift Ideas →
Mattress shopping isn’t what it used to be. There was a time when choosing a mattress meant answering a simple question: soft or firm?
When it’s time for a mattress makeover, today’s innkeepers look for features like memory foam, pocketed coils and moisture wicking fabrics, all in the service of that vital factor of any customer’s stay: a good night’s rest.
Continue reading Innkeeper Tips for Mattress Makeovers →
As a buyer for our business, I’ve noticed an increasing number of manufacturers beginning to produce hotel supplies here in the USA.
I can’t tell you how refreshing this is. When I began purchasing goods for InnStyle 36 years ago, most of the textile manufacturers I used were based in the United States.
Continue reading Hotel Supplies: Made in the USA →
This is a question we’re asked frequently by innkeepers who are attempting to keep their costs to a reasonable minimum, and also by customers who only plan to use their bed sheets at home.
No matter who’s doing the asking, though, it’s a wise question to ask. Because bed sheets—especially well-made and comfortable bed sheets—can be costly. And for both hospitality and home use, most experts recommend having a minimum of three sets of sheeting per bed: one on the bed, one in the wash, and one in the closet. In between each use, we recommend laundering and then storing your linens in a well-ventilated space.
But take heart: With proper care, fine bed linens can last for many years, regardless of whether you’re using them exclusively in the home, or in a busy hotel or inn with a heavy guest turnover.
To ensure that your bed sheets will last as long as possible, alternate the use of each set on a weekly basis for home use. For innkeepers, of course, sheets need to be changed each time a guest checks out and a new guest arrives. Depending on the level of turnover, innkeepers will find that the majority of their sheets need to be replaced much sooner than a homeowner will need to replace hers.
For best results when laundering, use a non-chlorine bleach and a gentle liquid detergent not a fabric softener as it will lessen the life of the fabric and add a substance that does not allow the fabric to breathe. Wash on a gentle cycle with warm water, then tumble dry until slightly damp.
Pro tip: Over drying or drying on too hot a setting is the single biggest factor in reducing the life of your sheets. This is why we suggest taking your sheets out while slightly damp. Once smoothed and folded, most sheeting will be less wrinkled. Again, you can touch up with an iron on the hem of the flat sheet and pillowcase hem.
Continue reading Which Type of Bed Sheets Last the Longest? →
Q: How does the shape of a table make a difference when selecting a tablecloth?
A: Tablecloths have two main purposes, and only one of them involves protecting the tables in your establishment from food and drink spills, wine stains, unintentional scrapes and scratches, or any other activity that may permanently damage your table. A tablecloth’s other main purpose, of course, is to increase the aesthetic value of the room in which it happens to be displayed.
Tablecloths come in a very wide variety of materials and styles, and you’ll certainly want to take both of those factors into account while shopping for tablecloths that will work best in your inn’s dining room or the kitchen of your bed-and-breakfast. But because tables come in such a wide are variety of shapes and sizes, the specific shape and size of a tablecloth is something you’ll need to consider as well.
There are four basic shapes of tables: square, rectangle, round and oval. But tables today are available in an incredibly wide variety of sizes and configurations based on those four basic shapes. An oblong table, for instance, is a rectangle having length greater than width. An oval also has length greater than width, but it has continuous curved sides.
Below are images of four fairly common table shapes:
Continue reading How to Buy a Properly Shaped Tablecloth →
While many factors will affect the longevity of your mattress (its original quality, for instance, and the amount of use), cleaning your mattress on a regular basis and protecting it from spills, insects, and even allergens can help you get the most from your investment.
As our regular readers will remember, we briefly touched on the topic of mattress protection in a recent blog post titled “How to Make the Perfect Bed”. In this post we’ll delve more deeply into the topic of the care and protection of your mattress, and provide you with a list of our favorite products to accomplish this important task.
Continue reading How to Best Protect Your Mattress: Our Top Product Recommendations →
Microfibers are used in a variety of fabrics, but most commonly in dress and blouse weight garments. They are very fine fibers, compared to more conventional forms − half the diameter of a fine silk fiber, one-third the diameter of cotton, one-quarter the diameter of fine wool, and one hundred times finer than human hair!
Although fine and lightweight, microfiber is anything but flimsy.
In order to be classified “microfiber”, the fiber must be less than one denier. A denier is the weight, in grams, of a 9000-meter length of fiber or yarn. The higher the number − the thicker the fiber.
The many tiny fibers of microfiber are able to slide back and forth and maneuver around within the yarns of the fabric, allowing the fabric to flow and drape freely, yet still possess body and shape. Microfiber fabrics are generally lightweight, resilient or resistant to wrinkling and have a luxurious drape and body, retain shape and resist pilling. They are also relatively strong and durable in relation to other fabrics of similar weight.
Man-made fibers are formed by forcing a liquid through tiny holes in a device, called a spinneret. In microfiber, the holes are finer than with conventional fibers. Potentially any man-made fiber can be made into a microfiber, but are most commonly found in polyester and nylon. Micros can be used alone, blended with conventional denier man-made fibers, or natural fibers such as cotton, wool and silk.
Since these fine yarns can be packed tightly together, microfibers are especially useful in garments that require water repellency and wind resistance. Yet, the spaces between the yarns are porous enough to breathe and wick moisture away from the body. Microfibers seem less “clammy” to wear, and is the perfect choice for warm weather and athletic clothing.
Garments made of microfiber can usually be cared for similar to garments made of conventional fabrics. Fabrics made from regular polyester and nylon fibers can be machine-washed and tumble dried. Use of paper dryer sheets is not recommended because temporary spotting from the heat of the dryer may occur. Liquid fabric softener use is not a problem.
Viscose rayons perform best when dry-cleaned, however. As a general rule, fiber properties, not the fineness of the fiber, usually dictate recommended care. It is important that one follow the care instructions on a particular garment.
A few precautions should be observed when caring for microfibers. Because the fibers are so fine, heat penetrates the fabric more quickly than conventional fabric. As a result, glazing, melting or scorching can occur quickly. If pressing is necessary, use only a cool iron and do not leave the iron on the fabric too long.
As with any fine garments, avoid use of jagged jewelry that may cause pulls, snags or creates general abrasion.
The strength of microfibers make them particularly adaptable to suede or sandwashed finishes, such as polyester and nylon, because of their extensive fiber surfaces and use of strong fibers. As such, suit jackets and bottom weights are becoming increasingly available in microfiber. Micros are becoming increasingly the fabric of choice in clothing such as lingerie, rainwear, outdoor fleeces, wind-resistant sportswear, track and jogging suits. Many microfibers simulate the appearance of sandwashed silk and are excellent for use in utility fabrics for use in tents and sleeping bags.
Microfiber garments are generally durable and provide long-lasting wear, despite their fine silk-like feel. Enjoy microfiber garments in your wardrobe!
Canopies are a symbol of lavishness, but this romantic accessory had a decidedly utility birth.
In the 13th century the canopy, which was suspended over the bed by cords from the
beams above, from which curtains were hung, was introduced out of necessity,
Houses had thatched roofs, and there was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom, where bugs and other droppings could mess up a nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection from dirt and cold.
Canopies also had functionality outside the bedroom. According to bedcanopy.com, “A cloth canopy, called a baldachin, would cover an altar or throne to distinguish religious authorities or the emperor.” Canopies can be as luxurious as gold-entwined fabric, or as simple as sheer mosquito netting to protect people from insects.
Canopies once served as protection from the chill, bugs, droppings and other environmental annoyances of the past. But as modern home heating technology has evolved and roofs are no longer in imminent danger of collapse, canopies have shed any utilitarian meaning and have become synonymous with romance.
The history of canopies may be functional, but a canopy from InnStyle is anything but strictly utility. InnStyle carries hand-tied canopies that are flat or arched, with six designs to choose from. All are made with pure cotton thread, are hand washable and preshrunk.
Choose from Natural or White, Double Diamond (15″ length), Single Diamond (12″ or 15″ length), Large Scallop (15″), Lover’s Knot (12″ or 15″), Margaret
Winston (12″ or 15″) or Straight Edge Diamond (15″). Available in Twin, Full, Queen and King.
To order this product, please contact us at 267-354-6020 or toll-free at 1-800-877-INNS (4667). Please allow 4-WEEK DELIVERY.
Your guests notice the little things that make them feel comforted and “regal” at your bed and breakfast. These little things add up to the biggest thing of all – your reputation!
There’s nothing more capable of impressing your guests than luxurious than high-quality terry cloth towels through InnStyle.
How lavish it feels to wrap ones self in a soft, absorbent fluffy bath towel right after a long, hot soak or shower. But not all towels are created equal. Here’s how to find the right one for you.
Terry cloth is a fabric with uncut loops, or pile, deliberately standing away from its ground base. Terry cloth is woven using two warp beams: the ground warp, which forms the base of the towel, and the pile warp, which creates the loops of thread that give the fabric its texture and function. These loops effectively increase the surface area of the fabric, enhancing its absorbency, while maintaining a soft feel.
Terry cloth is traditionally made from cotton, but it can also be made from different materials such as silk, linen or other natural and artificial fibers. Most manufacturers choose cotton because, unlike other materials that get weaker in water, cotton’s absorbent fiber gets stronger when wet. In fact, cotton can absorb 20 to 30 times its own weight in water. The loop pile acts as a sponge while withstanding squeezing, pulling, rubbing, twisting and turning.
Because of its absorbency attributes, terry cloth is commonly used for towels, bathrobes, beach cover-ups, athletic warm-ups and headbands. Terry cloth can easily be dyed or printed, as well as decoratively embroidered.
Terry cloth towels from InnStyle combine style, comfort and quality and are sure to make a lasting impression on your guests, making your B & B a crowned head in your industry.
For more information on our MicroCotton® Hotel Collection Towels or any of the terry towels available, contact us at 267-354-6020 or toll-free at 1-800-877-INNS (4667).
Most upscale hotels include stationary luggage racks as part of the amenities for their guests. These ingenious engineering marvels can come in handy especially when a guest is only staying for a short time and prefers to live out of the suitcase, as opposed to utilizing the chest of drawers. Luggage racks are also used effectively to raise a suitcase from the ground while packing or unpacking a suitcase, thus eliminating the guest’s need to constantly bend down while gathering items, which can create discomfort and lead to potential injury.
Optimally, you will want your bed and breakfast’s luggage racks to be somewhat ornate, so as to project a more luxurious aesthetic. The luggage rack may be constructed with materials that blend into the general décor, such as wood or combinations of wood with metal elements.
InnStyle now carries a hotel luggage rack that is sure to help make any guest feel at home! Our “Powder Coat Square Tube Metal Luggage Rack” is built of 1” square tube steel construction, which adds strength and durability to its beauty. This rack measures 20.25″Wx20”Hx 17”D and has a powder coat finish. It is lightweight and folds easily for quick storage.
This compact beauty is not only for use in the bed and breakfast and may also be used in the home as well. Used as a closet insert, it makes it possible to store suitcases in an organized fashion and can be easily kept on hand for the benefit of overnight guests in the home. The folding luggage rack can easily be stored away when not in use, and set up quickly to allow overnight guests a simple means of setting up the suitcase for easy access during the stay.
View InnStyle’s Luggage Racks that can be used in many ways to enhance your guest’s comfort. Or contact us at 267-354-6020 or toll-free at 1-800-877-INNS (4667).