Three qualities distinguish luxury bath towels from their regular counterparts: softness, absorbency and design. If you want to feel like you’ve visited a day spa each time you step out of the bath, then ask yourself whether the bath towels you’re buying meet these criteria in spades.
1. Softness
Softness is perhaps the most important of these, as it’s the first sensation you’ll experience as you step out of a steamy shower and into a cold bathroom. Nothing says cheap, old towels quite like a crunchy, sandpaper texture that exfoliates as much as it dries. Luxury is a towel that feels like a warm embrace, a towel that gently wicks away moisture without disrupting the skin’s delicate barrier.
2. Absorbency
Next is absorbency. You want a towel that can hold plenty of water – as absorbing water is a towel’s number one purpose. But you don’t want it to be so thick and fluffy that it takes forever to dry between showers and between washes. Shedding fibres is also decidedly non-luxurious.
The trick here is to invest in bath towels made from high quality natural fibres that absorb moisture efficiently (e.g. cotton, linen, bamboo or TENCEL) and launder them correctly. Make towels last longer by washing them in a mild detergent and air-drying them whenever possible. Skipping the fabric softener will also ensure they stay absorbent over time (fabric softener can coat the fibres which prevents the towel from soaking up water).
3. Design
The final hallmark of a luxury bath towel is its looks. A beautiful bath towel will complete your bathroom, elevating it to a five-star hotel standard. What makes a towel look luxurious? Perhaps it’s Baina’s on-trend checked towel in the colour Tobac and Noir. Perhaps it’s a stack of plush white Egyptian cotton terry towels with a custom monogram or beautiful border. Maybe it’s a lightweight Turkish cotton towel in a vibrant pattern and a delicate fringe. The choice is yours!
9 of the best luxury bath towels Australia
Luxury Egyptian bath towel in snow, $49.95, Sheridan
You can’t go wrong with classic white towels. Sheridan’s soft Egyptian cotton towels deliver true luxury, with reviewers describing them as ‘plush’, ‘first class’ and ‘incredibly soft’. If you’re after a set of bath towels that will stand the test of time, look no further. You can also personalise these towels with your name, or initials for $17.50.
Hugo Boss loft bath towel, $99.95, David Jones
Brand names aren’t everything, but this subtly embossed bath towel is soft, asorbdent and beautiful, which makes it truly luxurious. Made from 100% combed Aegean cotton, this bath towel will make the right impression every time you step out of the shower.
Denim bath towel, $65, Cultiver
Cultiver’s exceptionally soft towel is just like your favourite pair of jeans – looks cool and feels comfortable. It’s made from recycled denim fibres (aka a mix of Lyocell and combed cotton) and is quick-drying.
Carlo Australian cotton bath towel in mist blue, $49.95, Country Road
Country Road’s Carlo towels feature a subtle, textural weave that sets them apart from other basic towels. One reviewer described it as the ‘Goldilocks’ of towels, as it’s ‘just right’ in terms of softness, weight and size. Available in a range of colours including white, pale grey, charcoal, faded moss and pink salt. Made from Australian cotton.
European Willow Clay Turkish cotton towel, $54.99, Adairs
Add a splash of colour to the bathroom with Adairs’ soft and vibrant range of Turkish cotton towels. The colour combination is sure to brighten even the dreariest morning, and the tassel edge provides a touch of fun texture too.
Anagram cotton-terry jacquard towel, $1097.75, Net-A-Porter
This uber-stylish towel is technically a beach towel, but the design is so beautiful and the fabric so soft we think it definitely deserves a place in any luxurious bathroom. Made from 100% cotton in a beige and white monogrammed pattern.
Target Supima cotton bath towel in neutral, $25, Catch.com.au
Love luxurious towels but can’t justify the price tag? Target’s Supima cotton towels are a closely guarded secret. At $25 a piece, you’ll be amazed by just how soft these towels are to the touch. Affordable and well made from combed cotton.
Aura Home ‘Paros’ ribbed bath towel in sand, $59.95, Myer
Texture will elevate the look of any bathroom, and on this front, Aura Home’s ‘Paros’ towel delivers. Made from sustainably sourced cotton that is woven into an elegantly ribbed towel with a hand-knotted fringe. Perfect for a coastal style, or Mediterranean-inspired bathroom.
Palermo bath sheet in Indigo, $69, Sage x Clare
Want to breathe life into a boring bathroom? The Palermo bath sheet by Sage x Clare features a retro-inspired pattern in a rich shade of indigo. Made from soft terry cotton, it is soft and highly absorbent.
