I just got these! http://www.etsy.com/listing/93894930/set-of-4-turkish-bath-and-beach-towel and the quality is fantastic!

Yup, they are genius - take up very little room in the washer, dry in no time, large enough for pretty much anyone, wash wonderfully and last a long time. Take up very little room to store as well.

They only get better with age, don't ever use conditioner and they get softer and more absorbent every time.

Some of these are pretty expensive though, I get mine from http://www.turkishtowelstore.com/ and sort by price http://www.turkishtowelstore.com/categories/pestemals/cotton-pestemals.html?sort=priceasc

The hand towels are great as well, and I got some of the tiny guest towels in a basket. Oh, and the dressing gowns are super absorbent and light for summer.

Ooo yesss. I've been eye-balling those towels on Etsy for a few years now, may just have to take the plunge and buy one. Or ten.

Yes, I've been coveting these, but don't want to pay $40 for a towel, and I've wondered about absorbancy--thanks to the commenter who weighed in on that!

@JEN_G I have very long thick hair and will never go back to normal spa-type towels now I've seen how absorbent these things are - no more heavy sopping wet towels for me. They just suck the water out as long as you don't use fabric conditioner.

Also even the bright coloured towels do fine in anything from a cold wash to 60 degrees, never had a problem with them. I can stick them in my whites wash with bleach for coloureds and they just don't leak.

Another Esty source- I bought a few from here
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bathstyle

Saraih says it all - they are wonderful and only take 15 minutes in the dryer on laundry days. I bring one when I travel because they can also be used as a shawl. I've bought some half-priced at One Kings Lane (from Scents and Feel) and the handtowels at West Elm are $10 each.

I never take towels to the beach, I use a few sarongs. So much easier and they dry in minutes!

Timely! A friend working at a military base in Turkey just sent me a surprise package including a Turkish towel this very week! Maybe I'll have to see if I can commission her to get more, since I presume she can avoid the middleman for me!

These have been on my wish list like for ever. I'm totally buying them!

I've always wanted to try these.

FYI - the hand towels at West Elm are nice but not as absorbent as a real hamman towel. The less expensive towels have a flat, straight weave. If you're going to buy a bath towel, go for the $60-70 range ones.

When i was in turkey I got 2 bit fluffy ones for 30 Turkish Lira...which I think might've not even been that great a deal....but much cheaper than these prices....i shoulda bought more.

May seem like a stupid question - so I apologize in advance. But do people actually find these comparable to a regular cotton bath towel for everyday use in their homes?

@luckylukie yes. I got rid of all my huge fluffy bath towels. I don't even live in a particularly warm climate and it's still been worth it. Just the savings in washing and drying, and the fact I can store five - seven peshtemels in the same space one towel took up.

My bathroom is tiny and drying outside is not often an option here. Big towels are a pain and have no benefit over a peshtemel except personal taste and maybe warmth, but I don't spend time wandering about in a towel anyway.

I love these! My fiance is Turkish-American, so we've taken a couple of trips to Turkey. These towels are great for the beach (most Turks consider them to be "old fashion", Ottoman-style towels. We have a ton of them at home- I always use them for my hair after I shower, since our thick, white Turkish towels are a bit too heavy for my head!

Honestly, though, the price markups are pretty extreme. I wouldn't pay more than 10-20 lira for them in Turkey ($7-$15), so $65 is pretty steep. Try Tulumba or Turkish festivals (I live in Chicago, and we have a great summer one!). Or better yet, take a trip to Istanbul and buy a bunch from the Grand Bazaar!

I am leaving for Istanbul in 3 days, maybe I should bring these in my empty suitcase and give it AT readers :-))

I love them... they are my summer favorite!

Ella Lou is my absolute favorite source for reasonably priced, organic cotton Turkish towels (both beach and bath towels, baby blankets, throws, etc.): http://www.shopellalou.com/ Check them out. Their quality is superb, service is great, and selection is unmatched. I bought a number of items from them and my wish list is growing...

@luckyluckie, Ilove them for everyday use, but my husband doesn't like them. He's just to used to big fluffy towels. I love them because they dry so fast. We live in a really humid climate, so it makes a big difference as far as how many uses we get out of them.

I'll be the dissenter - I bought one to try because I love the fringe. They dry off great but they are HUGE. When I wrap my hair in one, the fringe brushes the back of my calves! I find it irritating I can't leave my hair wrapped up while I finish prepping. Seriously immense, and can't find any smaller ones. My husband loves it, however, so now it is 'his towel'.

I get them on ebay for a very good price.

@P_Capucine- try folding it in half, and THEN wrap your hair in it. I had the same problem at first, but it's much easier if it's folded:)

These look amazing!! They are so much more fun to look at then cotton fluffy towels... And my biggest pet peeve is when my towel isnt fully dry. I'm getting some! Thanks for the comments to attest to using them as bath towels!

Turkish towels are stronger and more durable as well as smoother, which creates a luxuriously soft towel.

I've got my Turkish towels from 'The Anatolian' on Etsy (www.theanatolian.etsy.com). Incredibly nice collection and variety, as well as superb customer service. I strongly recommend this shop.

I can not agree more with you. Turkish Peshtemal towels are absolutely gorgeous, compact, lightweight and totally natural fibre blends like pure cotton, cotton and bamboo or cotton and silk blends. Super absorbent, dries fast and leaves no awful smell. Perfect travel towel for beach, yacht, caravan holidays. Cotton and Olive sell these towels online. www.cottonandolive.com