Good towels are really worth investing in. Pick the wrong ones, and you'll just end up replacing them because they feel scratchy, or they don't dry you off after your shower, or they end up discolored. According to a designer friend, her friend, and their clients, the best towels are actually from Macy's.
Both the Hotel Collection "Microcotton" Luxury Towels and Hotel Collection "Finest" Bath Towels are thick and lush, soft, absorbent, and durable.
The Microcotton Towels are priced from $10-$50 ($7.99-$39.99 on sale), and available in 16 colors.
The Finest Towels are available in four neutrals, and range from $15-$75 ($11.99-$59.99 on sale).
(Edited from a post originally published 03.06.07)
I used to be a towel fanatic, but lately, I'm really enjoying the towels I'm getting from target. Amazing price point. Great colors...feels soft
view shari's profile
I agree the Hotel Collection is the best! I invested in several sets a few year back, and they are still amazingly fluffy and soft - and I picked white, so I just bleach them every once in a while to bring back the newness. Love them!
view calihoya's profile
You can get these MUCH cheaper at TJ Maxx. They have them in a ton of colors.
view Julia at Living Luxely's profile
The Microcotton collection is wonderful - well priced and incredibly soft and absorbent. We registered for them for our wedding and they are much better than any from BB&B.
view ndvheller's profile
They're fluffy and they hold a nice shape. I guess my designer secret isn't so secret. :)
view DesignHole's profile
"You can get these MUCH cheaper at TJ Maxx. They have them in a ton of colors."
Yes! Same with the Hotel Collection bed sheets (which I totally love).
view first5times's profile
I've had the microcotton towels in white for 2 1/2 years and they still look and feel brand new. They feel really thick. I love them.
view Mrs Olkid's profile
Ok, wait a minute everyone. I made the horrendous *mistake* of buying the very best towels I could find more than 15 years ago. Grand Patrician by West Point home. These towels are still just as lofty, absorbant, hole free, pill free, and effective as when I bought them. UGH!!! I want new towels!!! But I have been stuck with this same color theme FOREVER. I feel guilty about buying a small quantity of brown towels for the new color scheme...
SERIOUSLY consider buying mediocre towels so that they in fact do wear out and you can indulge in new ones. The best means your are stuck with them for years. and years. and even more years.
view kimg924's profile
Seriously people... to go TJ Maxx. I just found my reciept and the bath towel was $6. You can't beat that with a stick!
view Julia at Living Luxely's profile
I have to say, I like the Ralph Lauren ones also - not sure which line, but I picked them up at Bloomingdale's when I had a gift certificate. I've had them for six months now, and they're still as plush and absorbent as ever, and the color has stayed true.
I had the Thomas O'Brien ones from Target, and while those were nice - they faded so quickly and at different rates (even though I always washed them together) that after a couple of months, it looked like I had bought completely different towel sets.
view kyrielle80's profile
I agree, the micro cotton Hotel Collection are incredible. Are you all saying these exact towels are at TJ Maxx?
view right angle's profile
We registered for these for our wedding, they really are the best, like super-soft absorbent blankets!
view Tiffany's profile
I have to agree with kimg924. I got towels from the now defunct "Chambers" catalog when I got married 12 years ago and just now very begrudgingly made them into dog towels. Begrudgingly because they were still in perfect shape! I am certainly not one for being wasteful, but it got pretty old using the same towels for 12 years.
view arbell's profile
My towels end up with blotches on them as if I had bleached them, which I don't. I just ruined a 3-month-old set of nice lavender towels, including the hand towel, this way. Can anybody tell me what this comes from? I suspect it's the benzoyl peroxide in my zit cream but I'm not sure.
view Jenny's profile
May I make a suggestion for those who have suffered for years with good quality towels? Charity. Clothing drives accept towels as well and there is nothing wasteful about helping somebody else out.
view Simply-G's profile
Jenny, it's DEFINITELY the benzoyl peroxide. I had this happen to washcloths, towels, and pajamas.
view shayshay213's profile
@Jenny: I get blotches on my towels too, but only after I have washed them. I am pretty sure its from the peroxide I use on my hair.
view absolutmarie's profile
Vet offices are always in need of towels also
view Gigi818's profile
Does anyone have an opinion about Martha's faux wood towels at Macy's? I've had my eye on them but they seem pricey if poor quality.
view jen_g's profile
yes, it's the peroxide....
view kimg924's profile
right angle-
Yes, you can get the Hotel Collection from TJ Maxx. That's where I get sheets, bath towels and some kitchen things. If you can bare to go there, you should check it out.
view jakelegs's profile
We registered for (white) Hotel Collection towels and were only moderately impressed. In the store they seemed soft, but after a year's worth of washings, they've lost fluff and are a little stiff. We've since tried out the Thomas O'Brien towels at Target and loooove them.
We did, however, also register for the Hotel Collection 600 thread count sheets (also white), and find them utterly, literally, dreamy.
view heathshah's profile
I've been dying for some decent towels, so this post is a godsend for me. I picked up a set at BB&B not six months ago and they already look terrible. TJ Maxx/Macy's here I come!
Also--another suggestion for those of you seeking an excuse to get new towels: donate them your local animal shelter. Last I checked, they're always in need of towels for bedding, cleaning and generally comforting the animals. And the warm fuzzy that results is a nice bonus. :)
view kabukikins's profile
Jakelegs: Thanks.
I promised myself I would never go into TJ Maxx after my one & only visit. For $6 a towel, one never knows.
view right angle's profile
Laura Ashley towels at KOHL's are FANTASTIC!
I've had mine for over 2 years (bought a new set when I moved into my house) and they are the BEST!
Also, you can get them when they go on sale at KOHL's for $4.49 per towel if you look for the online coupon.
view KathinCO's profile
I picked up a set of Hotel Microcotton towels at Macy's a couple years ago, on some sort of clearance sale....I swear they work better for drying my hair than any of the "super-absorbent" Aquos hair towels or anything else for that matter. Fabulous towels.
view becature's profile
We have one Charter Club Hotel Collection hand towel we inherited along the way. It says "100% Cotton - Made in Turkey WPL 8046". It has a banded design on *one* end about 3.5 inches sewn back on itself with ten 3/8 inch rows almost like a herringbone pattern. This towel is heavier and softer than the Hotel Collection Microcotton Classic towels.
Is anyone familiar with this model? Is it still available somewhere? I would really like to find some. Thanks.
view KickDoctor's profile
Has anyone seens these towels at TJ Maxx lately? I've checked a few stores with no luck...
Thanks!
view kristertrixter's profile