How to Request Extra Towels Before You Check Into a Hotel

Requesting extra towels before you check into a hotel is usually straightforward: contact the property directly, provide the name on the reservation and your arrival date, and politely ask whether additional towels can be placed in the room or made available when you arrive. It is best to treat the request as a preference rather than a guarantee because housekeeping procedures, room assignment timing, staffing, and individual hotel policies can vary.

Making the request in advance can still be useful, especially for families, groups sharing a room, travelers who expect to shower more than once a day, or anyone who simply prefers having spare towels available without contacting housekeeping after settling in. The key is knowing whom to contact, when to make the request, and what information helps the hotel find your reservation quickly.

The quickest way to request extra towels before arrival

• Contact the hotel directly rather than relying only on a general booking-platform message.
• Give the full name on the reservation and your check-in date.
• Specify what you need, such as two additional bath towels rather than simply asking for “more towels.”
• Ask for the request to be added to the reservation notes.
• Confirm again at check-in if having the towels immediately is important.

A concise request gives the hotel enough information to act without creating unnecessary back-and-forth. For example, you might say that you are arriving on Friday under a particular reservation name and would appreciate two additional bath towels in the room if possible.

Contact the hotel directly when possible

If you booked through an online travel agency or another third party, the property’s direct phone number, email address, messaging system, or hotel app may still be the most effective way to make a room-specific request. A request entered through an outside booking service may reach the hotel, but the communication path can vary.

Direct contact also makes it easier to determine whether the hotel can record the request before a room has been assigned. Depending on the property, the request may be entered as a reservation note, passed to housekeeping, or handled after the room becomes available for servicing.

If the hotel offers a pre-arrival form or in-app messaging, that can be convenient because your request may already be associated with the reservation. Otherwise, a brief phone call or email is usually sufficient.

Make the request specific

Hotels may stock several types of towels, so specifying what you want can prevent confusion. Bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths are different requests. If you need two additional bath towels, say exactly that rather than asking for an unspecified pile of extras.

This is particularly helpful when several people will share a room. A reservation for two adults and two children, for example, does not necessarily tell housekeeping exactly how many towels your group would prefer. Room occupancy information and housekeeping stocking practices can differ, so communicating the actual need is clearer.

A specific request is also easier to verify later. If you arrive and the requested items are not in the room, you can simply tell the front desk that you had requested two additional bath towels rather than trying to reconstruct a vague pre-arrival conversation.

How far in advance should you ask?

A few days before arrival is a practical time to make a routine request. That is generally close enough to the stay for the reservation to be easy to locate while still giving the property an opportunity to record the preference.

There is usually little benefit to making a simple towel request months in advance. The request might remain attached to the reservation, but housekeeping preparations generally happen much closer to arrival. If you submitted the request far ahead of time, mentioning it again at check-in can be sensible.

For a same-day reservation, simply make the request when booking or contact the hotel as soon as practical. The property may not be able to arrange the room before you arrive, but it may still be able to note the request or provide towels at the front desk.

Ask for the request to be noted on the reservation

When speaking with the hotel, asking whether the request can be added to your reservation notes provides a useful point of continuity. Different employees may handle reservations, front-desk duties, room assignments, and housekeeping, so a recorded note can be more useful than assuming the person who received the request will personally handle it.

Keep expectations realistic, however. A reservation note documents a preference; it does not necessarily mean the towels will already be waiting in the room. Operational circumstances can change between the time you make the request and the time the room is prepared.

Confirm important requests when you check in

If having extra towels immediately matters to you, confirm the request when you arrive. A simple reminder at the front desk can be especially useful if your room has only recently been assigned.

You do not need to present the earlier request as a complaint. Instead, mention that you had asked for additional towels before arrival and ask whether they are already in the room or can be sent up. If the property provides digital or mobile check-in without a front-desk interaction, you may be able to send a message through the hotel’s app or contact guest services after receiving the room assignment.

What if the extra towels are not in the room?

Pre-arrival requests occasionally do not make it into the final room setup. If that happens, contact housekeeping, guest services, or the front desk using whichever method the hotel provides. State the quantity and towel type you need and provide your room number once you have checked in.

It can also be worth asking whether towels should be collected from a particular location. Some properties deliver requested items to rooms, while others may have different procedures. Avoid assuming that every hotel handles extra linens in the same way.

Situations where requesting towels in advance is especially useful

Families and groups: When several people are sharing a room, the standard towel setup may not match everyone’s preferred routine. Asking for a specific number in advance can reduce inconvenience after arrival.

Late arrivals: If you expect to arrive late in the evening, making the request beforehand may be worthwhile. Even if the towels cannot be placed in advance, the hotel will at least have an opportunity to record what you need.

Short stays: On a one-night visit, spending part of the evening waiting to resolve a simple room request can feel disproportionately inconvenient. A pre-arrival note may make the stay smoother.

Travelers with specific routines: Some guests want separate towels for showering, hair, exercise, swimming, or other uses. Explaining the quantity you need is more useful than assuming the property’s standard setup will match your routine.

What travelers often overlook

Extra towels are a routine request, but availability and delivery procedures should not be treated as universal hotel amenities or policies. A large full-service property, a small independent hotel, an extended-stay property, and a limited-service hotel may handle the same request differently.

Also distinguish between requesting additional towels and requesting more frequent housekeeping. Asking for extra clean towels does not automatically change the property’s housekeeping schedule. If you also want used towels collected or your room serviced at a particular time, that is a separate request and may be subject to the hotel’s current housekeeping procedures.

Finally, avoid putting urgent or medically important needs into a casual amenities request. If a requirement materially affects your ability to stay at the property, contact the hotel directly and make sure you understand what the property can actually provide.

Frequently asked questions

Can I request extra towels when I make the reservation?

Yes. You can include the request when a booking channel provides a special-request field, but contacting the hotel directly closer to arrival may help confirm that the property has received it.

Should I call or email the hotel?

Either can work. Calling is useful when you want immediate confirmation that the request has been noted. Email or hotel messaging provides a written record and can be convenient when the request is not urgent.

Can I ask for a specific number of towels?

Yes. In fact, requesting a specific quantity and towel type is usually clearer than simply asking for extra towels.

Will the towels definitely be waiting in my room?

Not necessarily. A hotel may record the request but fulfill it only after the room is assigned or after you check in. Treat a routine pre-arrival amenities request as a preference unless the property specifically confirms otherwise.

Should I repeat the request at check-in?

If having the towels immediately is important, a brief reminder at check-in is reasonable. It gives the front desk an opportunity to confirm the request or arrange delivery once your room is ready.