It’s nearly that time of year, when couples follow their hearts and indulge in loved-up weekends and romantic dinners to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But is your property ready for romance?

To be prepared this Valentine’s Day, and give your guests an experience they won’t forget, all you have to do is add a few in-room extras to set the mood.

Fresh flowers

Fresh flowers are beautiful, relatively inexpensive and instantly change the mood in any space. If you really want to turn up the romance for Valentine’s Day, why not have a bunch of red roses delivered to the room, ready for your guest’s arrival.

Champagne, chocolates and hampers

What’s the perfect way to start a romantic weekend away? A bottle of bubbles of course! A bottle of champagne on arrival, paired with a breakfast hamper, cheese platter, or a box of chocolates is sure to leave a lasting impression your guests won’t forget.

A guest directory

Leaving your guests a list of popular cafés and restaurants in the area will help them plan the perfect Valentine’s dinner. If you have a spa or restaurant on-site, why not leave a voucher to encourage your guests to indulge during their stay.

Bath bliss

Do you have a bathtub at your property? If you do, bath salts are a must for Valentine’s Day! The Therapy Range of Scented Bath Tea Bags are gorgeous, blended with 100% pure essential oils of Juniper Berry and White Thyme. Or, try the South Pacific Soap Co Bath Bag Infusion, sea salts infused with the healing properties of organic coconut oil. Pure bath indulgence!

Bath robes

Matching bath robes after a long soak in the tub just screams ROMANCE! Take a look at our Waffle Weave Bath Robes, your guests will love this extra special touch.

Unique turndown gifts

Turndown gifts give your property a touch of luxury, but this Valentine’s Day forget the standard chocolates under the pillow. Support local and collaborate with surrounding suppliers. Chocolate chip cookies or macaroons from your local bakery, relaxing essential oils, or even a night-cap beside the bed will wow your guests this Valentine’s Day.

Want to transform your motel, bed and breakfast, boutique hotel or Airbnb rental into the perfect summer getaway? Would you like to create a summer escape where your guests can kick up their heels and take full advantage of the season’s amazing weather?

Summer in Australia is all about days at the beach, swimming in pools and spending time outdoors. So why not offer your guests a range of amenities that make this kind of living easy? All you have to do is add a few products in and around your property to turn your holiday rental into a summer sanctuary your guests will absolutely love.
Here’s what we recommend.

Complimentary water bottles

Having complimentary icy cold water available for your guests on arrival is such a small gesture, but one that will be appreciated, especially by guests who have travelled far to get to your property.

Pool towels

Let’s be honest, towels take up a huge amount of luggage space, so having a luxurious collection of pool towels on hand at your property will make life easier for your guests. Our hotel quality pool towels come in royal blue and white, linen and white and charcoal and white, and are 100% cotton, colourfast and highly absorbent.

Body lotions

Summer holidays are all about swimming and spending time outdoors. Treat your guests to a beautiful range of body products to moisturise their skin after a long day in the sun. The eco.logic* range includes a luxurious body balm, enriched with Fairtrade certified Grapeseed and Green Tea. Alternatively, the Therapy Range body lotion is great for replenishing skin’s moisture, with 100% pure and natural essential oils of Juniper Berry and White Thyme. Or you could go the extra mile and pamper your guests with the whole range and indulge them with a mini pack!

Insect repellent

Help your guests enjoy their time outdoors, despite any mosquitoes or sandflies that might be hanging around. Leave them a stash of insect repellent for when the sun goes down.

Vamoose insect repellent towelettes are great and are very effective at keeping those little bloodsuckers at bay.

Complimentary sunscreen

While it might not be feasible to stock sunscreen in every room, why not keep a bottle at your reception desk and hand it out to guests as they need it.

Slippers

Spoil your guests and give your holiday rental that extra touch of luxury by supplying slippers. Soft terry open toe slippers are super comfortable, and great if your guests want to lounge around the pool or relax inside to escape the summer heat.

Clear amenities bags

Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference. “Zip lock bags” are very handy, and can be used by guests to keep their room keys, phones or sunscreen safe and dry when they visit the pool or beach.

So you see, it’s easy to transform your property into a summer getaway with the addition of a few simple amenities. If you’d like to know more about any of the National Hotel Supplies range of guest amenities or products, please call 1300 557 415 or email us on info@nationalhotelsupplies.com.au

Our industry is continually evolving, changing to meet guest’s expectations and service guest’s rising needs. At National Hotel Supplies we’re lucky to work with some amazing properties, with innovative and freethinking managers who aren’t afraid to bring something new to the table. It’s impossible to mention them all, but here are a few of our favourite trends from this year.

Environmental awareness

More and more accommodation services are beginning to understand the importance of social responsibility, particularly when it comes to the environment. We love this planet friendly approach to hospitality, with operators doing their part to operate in a way that minimises their impact on the environment.

The Sails Motel in Brunswick Heads stocks our eco.logic* range of guest amenities, a collection of Fairtrade hotel supplies that ensure farmers and workers get a fair price for their services and products. The eco.logic* range of soap, shampoo and hair and body products are also packaged in 100% recycled milk bottles, making them the perfect choice if you’re looking for environmentally friendly hotel amenities.

Supporting the environment and Fairtrade, Sails Motel, Brunswick Heads, NSW.

Wooleen Station in WA is one property that puts conservation at the forefront of everything they do. They believe that ‘tourism should help nurture conservation and rehabilitation of our natural and cultural heritage’.

How do they do this? They stock the Ritual Australia range of guest amenities; a collection that supports sustainable programs, is biodegradable, and has environmentally friendly packaging. They also offer guests a Fairtrade range of tea, and are a part of the international Soap Aid program, recycling soap to save lives in disadvantaged countries around the world.

On a local level, the power at Wooleen Station is sourced almost completely from solar panels and wind turbines, and they avoid high energy consuming appliances such as kettles and toasters.

A property with an environmentally friendly conscience – Wooleen Station, WA.

Healthy living

Many guests want to continue to live and eat healthy while they’re on holidays, and we love that more properties are offering ways for guests to stay healthy, beyond the basic gym.

Mile End Glamping in WA encourages guests to connect with personal trainers, who can facilitate training sessions at a local gym, or in the great outdoors. Why not have a PT session while you’re on holiday? And what a glorious location to train in!

Enjoy healthy living at Mile End Glamping, Western Australia.

When it comes to healthy eating, Wooleen Station sources the majority of their produce from their own vegetable garden, and Bali Hai Resort in WA has a private herb garden for their guests to enjoy. We love this idea!

Wooleen Station sources the majority of its produce from its very own vegetable garden.

Bali Hai Resort in WA has its own herb garden for guests to use.

Hampers and platters

Platters and picnic hampers are right on trend at the moment, and many properties are jumping on board supplying divine platters for their guests to enjoy while they’re on holiday.

Byron Beach Abodes have a selection of heavenly platters and hampers that can be ordered and delivered direct to your villa during your stay. Guests are greeted with a beautiful fruit bowl on arrival, and they can order yummy mezze platters to indulge the senses. They are the perfect treat for anyone wanting to live it up while they are on holiday. Heads up, try the breakfast hampers!

A mouth-watering platter from Byron Beach Abodes, Byron Bay, NSW.

Mile End Glamping in WA also deliver signature hampers direct to each dome for those who want to treat themselves. They put simple platters together themselves, using local produce, but for something really special they partner with The Larder Margaret River, run by 2010 Masterchef finalist Siobhan Halse, who builds platters perfect for BBQs, picnics or just because!

A special treat for guests from Mile End Glamping, collaborating with The Larder Margaret River.

Luxury and opulence

Who doesn’t want to indulge while they’re on holiday? We’re seeing a rise in luxury, opulent accommodation throughout Australia, and more guests are opting for that indulgent escape. Think beautiful guesthouses and spas, 5-star dining and complete and utter relaxation.

Pure indulgence at The Flop House, Victoria.

The Flop House in VIC knows how to spoil their guests, teaming with the Maiaveda Holistic Day Spa to offer several pamper packages. Some treatments are even available on site! Guests can indulge in massages, reflexology, full body scrubs, and more! They also offer visitors the beautiful Ritual range of guest amenities to treat their skin. Sounds like pure bliss to us!

We’d love to hear from you! Share your favourite trends from 2016 and why you love them!

Would you like your commercial linen to last longer? Are you sick and tired of replacing your sheets and towels every couple of years? If cared for correctly, your hotel linen should last 5-8 years and still look and feel great.

So what’s the secret?

Buy quality towels and sheets

Firstly, it’s important to remember that even with lots of love and care, poor quality towels and sheets won’t last long in a commercial environment. Commercial linen is made specifically for the accommodation industry, and is designed to endure frequent use, and withstand day in, day out laundering.

When buying towels, we recommend 100% cotton, the thicker the better! At National Hotel Supplies we stock a high quality range of cotton towels, purpose built for the hospitality industry, durable, soft and luxurious.

Sheets also need to be strong and durable, but at the same time crisp and comfortable. We recommend a cotton/polyester blend, because when it comes to sheets, this combination lasts longer than 100% cotton. Our range of 160gsm percale commercial linen is made with this particular blend, ensuring it lasts wash after wash, year after year.

Pre-wash care

• Always pre-treat tough stains by soaking your towels and sheets in warm soapy water.
• Tidy up loose threads on your towels by cutting the threads off with scissors. This will stop them unravelling in the wash.
• Always sort towels and sheets prior to washing, keeping dark colours separate.
• Always wash new towels before use. Avoid using fabric softener as it can make the towels less absorbent.
• Keep your towels and sheets away from bathroom cleaning products. They may contain harmful ingredients, which could damage your linen. If they do come in contact with these products, wash them as soon as possible in cold water.

Washing

• Warm machine wash, but always follow the care instructions on the label.
• Only use half the recommended amount of detergent, it’s more than enough. Always dissolve the detergent before adding it to your washing machine.
• Never dry-clean your towels or sheets.
• Never use bleach. Read the labels of your products carefully, because bleach can cause damage and reduce the lifespan of your linen. Look for words like peroxide, sodium percarbonate/carbonate, peroxyghydrate and sodium hypochlorite. You can safely use optical brighteners on whites, but never use them on colours, because they’ll cause fading.
• Fabric softener can build up on your towels if used too frequently. This may affect the towels absorbency and cause loose threads.
• Never overload your washing machine, your sheets and towels won’t clean properly and it will increase the wear on your linen.

Drying

• Washing towels in a tumble dryer will increase their ‘fluffiness’ and is the best way to dry towels. This will ensure your guests get the feel and comfort they love. Just ensure you don’t over-dry them, as this can degrade the fabric and make them harder instead of softer.
• Dry sheets and towels on a warm to medium heat to avoid damage, it will also help stop wrinkles in your sheets.
• Don’t dry sheets and towels together, as they both require different drying times and you risk over-drying. Hint: to reinvigorate towels in-between use, give them a short stint in the tumble dryer!
• Ensure your towels and sheets are completely dry before you put them away and store them in a cool dry place to avoid mould.

Follow these simple steps and your commercial linen will last year in, year out and continue to look and feel fabulous. If you’d like to know more about caring for your linen, or have a chat about National Hotel Supplies’ range of hotel sheets and towels, give us a call on 1300 557 415 or email info@nationalhotelsupplies.com.au

When shopping for bed linen there’s a common misconception that higher thread count means better quality. Marketers have used their persuasive powers to make us believe that sheet quality is determined purely by thread count.

So what is thread count?

Thread count is the quantity of ‘threads’ woven together within the sheet. It’s the amount of threads that run across the width and length of the sheet.

The truth

Despite what you’ve been led to believe, higher thread count doesn’t necessarily determine the quality of the sheet. You may not know, but by twisting together multiple threads, the thread count can be manipulated and increased without improving the actual quality. Similarly, it’s possible to have a lower thread count, but thicker threads, increasing the quality of the bed linen, yet maintaining a lower thread count.

Fibres and weaves

Most commonly, bed sheets are either 100% cotton or a polyester/cotton blend. The weave affects how the sheet looks, it’s durability and how it feels and the three main types of weaves are plain weaves, percale and sateen.
What should you look for when buying commercial sheets?

Hotel bed linen is in constant use and needs to endure hundreds of washes every year. You want your commercial sheets to be able to withstand day-in-day-out laundering.

Unlike retail sheets, that often have high thread counts, but thinner threads, good quality commercial linen will often have lower thread counts, between 160 to 200, but the threads themselves are thicker. This makes them stronger and more durable.

How do you know the thickness of the threads?

The thickness of the threads can be measured by weighing the sheets. You need to find out the weight of the sheet per square metre. The recommended weight for commercial sheets is between 160 – 200 grams per square metre. At National Hotel Supplies our range of commercial sheets are 160 grams per square metre.

While luxurious 100% cotton sheets are beautiful for your home, they are completely impractical in the accommodation industry. Retail sheets often weigh less than 140 grams per square metre, making them susceptible to fading, shrinking and warping when they are used in a commercial environment.

The most popular choice for commercial bed linen is a 50/50 polyester/cotton blend. It’s durable, crisp and comfortable and unlike 100% cotton, it doesn’t need ironing.

At National Hotel Supplies all our commercial sheets have been designed specifically for the hospitality industry, including high-end hotels and built to endure heavy usage. All our sheets are 180 thread percale, 160 grams per square metre, with thicker threads to survive regular commercial laundering. With a 50/50 polyester cotton blend our sheets have the longevity to survive year in and year out.

Whether you manage a hotel, a motel, a luxurious holiday home, or a small Airbnb rental, guests have the same basic expectations when it comes to holiday accommodation. Guests expect cleanliness, quality and value for money, but if you go that extra mile and exceed their expectations, you’ll be rewarded with great reviews, positive word of mouth and repeat bookings.

Here are 5 ways National Hotel Supplies can help you exceed guest expectations.

Luxurious guest amenities

Most guests expect the basic amenities like shampoo, conditioner and soap. But if you really want to blow their socks off, supply a super indulgent range of guest amenities like the gorgeous London Collection, Fairtrade certified eco.logic* range, The Therapy Range, or the South Pacific Soap Company.

If your property has a bath, treat your guests to the South Pacific Soap Company Bath Bag infusion, or Therapy Range Scented Bath Tea Bags. Then take your range of guest amenities to the next level with beautiful skin care products like the eco.logic* Body Balm, or The Therapy Range Body Lotion, that is blended with 100% natural essential oils.

Not sure which range you like best? Our mini-packs are a great way to sample a collection to see which one you’ll fall in love with.

Quality bed linen and towels

When it comes to hotel supplies, towels and bed linen are super important if you want to leave a lasting impression. There’s nothing better than stepping out of your shower onto a fluffy bathmat, wrapping yourself up in a soft towel and sliding into luxurious bed linen. As a property manager, you can influence your guest’s experience by supplying good quality towels and bed sheets.

At National Hotel Supplies we stock a range of commercial towels, from the standard range, up to the executive, which are super thick and lush. We also supply a durable range of pool towels that are perfect for accommodation by the water or with a pool.

Our hotel quality commercial bed linen is 160gsm (grams per square metre) and designed to be crisp and comfortable, whilst having the longevity to survive year in year out laundering.

In-room treats

There’s nothing worse than waking up to a bad cup of tea or coffee. Forget that cheap and nasty instant coffee, National Hotel Supplies stocks great tasting hot beverages that we’d want to drink ourselves. Hot chocolate, tea and coffee are nice treats for guests to wake up to, but if you really want to look after them, take a look at our range of biscuits, condiments and cereal.

Housekeeping

Let’s face it, nobody wants to be thinking about housekeeping supplies when they’re on holidays. Supplying extras like in-room detergents, laundry powder, tea towels and garbage bags will make life easier for your guests in the kitchen and laundry.

Bathrobes and slippers

If you really want to step it up and pamper your guests, there’s nothing quite like the feel of a luxurious bath robe and slippers to match. If you want to keep the prices down, take a look at our “Waffle Weave Bathrobe” or Terry Towelling Bathrobe, or really impress your guests with the lavish “Velour Jacquard Bathrobe”.

Beautiful artwork

Beautiful artwork can lift a room’s ambience and influence your guests’ experience. National Hotel Supplies have handpicked a range of eye-catching, yet affordable prints that will be a talking point among your guests.

If you’d like to take your property to the next level, check out our full range of hotel supplies and gain exclusive access to special offers by signing up to the National Hotel Supplies eNewsletter.

If you’re a holiday letting agent with a portfolio of properties, part of your role is to ensure the property is presented to the market at the highest possible standard. This will ensure guests keep coming back and the money keeps rolling in.

One of the easiest ways to improve the presentation of the property and the overall guest experience, is to supply great quality bedding, linen, towels and amenities. And let’s face it, guests love freebies. If want to impress them and go that extra mile, what may be a small outlay for your owners now, can pay off in a big way in the form of extra bookings.

Before we started National Hotel Supplies we heard that property managers were sick and tired of the time consuming job of sourcing hospitality products from a variety of vendors, and shopping around to get the best deal. That’s one of the reasons we created National Hotel Supplies, a one-stop online shop for hotel supplies that’s easy to access and has fast delivery you can rely on.

We stock a huge range of products for the hospitality industry, from in-room housekeeping needs, to commercial bed linen and towels and guest amenities, as well as all those little extras that guests love like bath robes, slippers, biscuits and tea and coffee. We even have a great range of artwork and signs created especially for the accommodation industry.

Whether you have a small budget, or you’re seeking high-end luxurious items, our collection of hotel supplies has something to suit everyone. If you want to buy in small quantities, that’s fine, or if you’d prefer to buy in bulk, you’ll receive up to 15% off your order.

SO what’s in it for you? Apart from the amazing range of quality products, which include environmentally friendly and Fairtrade guest amenities, you can sign up for the National Hotel Supplies Loyalty Program. You’ll earn 1 point for every $20 you spend. Accumulate 20 points, and a $20 credit will be added to your account and taken off your next order.

We’d love to have a chat with you and see how we can help you get the most out of your holiday rentals, so give us a call on 1300 557 415 or email us at info@nationalhotelsupplies.com.au

Whether your holiday rental property is big or small, it’s equally important to spoil your guests and leave an impression that has them coming back time after time, or even better, recommending your property to friends. Even though your small property may not compare in size to the larger hotels, owners of smaller holiday apartments or Airbnb rentals shouldn’t be complacent about going that extra mile to impress your guests.

While stocking your property with a huge range of guest amenities may seem a little out of reach, it’s still possible to pamper your guests by supplying a small chic range of health and beauty products in the bathroom. Our range of ‘mini-packs’ is just perfect for this. They may be small in size, but they pack some punch when it comes to impressing your guests and making them feel special during their stay.

What’s in a mini-pack? Depending on the range, our mini-packs normally include shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower gel, soap and sometimes a display stand. Everything your guests need to indulge in the bathroom! And the best part? You don’t have to spend a fortune; we have a range of mini-packs to suit all budgets.

Starting with our affordable, yet luxurious range from “Pure Beach”, all the way up to the stunning collection from the “South Pacific Soap Co”, which includes products made from pure organic coconut oil. If you’re keen to support Fairtrade, the eco.logic* Fairtrade mini-pack is just gorgeous, and made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic! Amazing for you and the environment!

Perhaps you’re an owner of a larger property and would like to trial a new range of guest amenities? Mini-packs are an awesome way to try out something new and decide if the collection of guest amenities is right for your property.

Check out our entire range of mini-packs and set yourself apart from your competitors!

Did you know that your choice of hotel amenities could impact the lives of some of the poorest people in the world? As we learn more and more about the manufacturing processes of the products we use, we also discover the importance of supporting Fairtrade certified organisations.

A product must meet international standards to be certified ‘Fairtrade’. These standards ensure the farmers and workers get a fair price for their products and services, invest in their community and have sustainable practices.

For you, supporting fair trade certified products could be as simple as buying a certain brand of tea, but for families living in developing countries, it’s a decision that could have a big impact on their lives. Oxfam spokeswoman, Amy Barry, says, “Buying Fairtrade products is one of the easiest ways we can show compassion and solidarity towards third world farmers”.

If you buy only one Fairtrade certified guest amenity, you’re supporting fair prices, encouraging safe working conditions and environmentally friendly manufacturing. It’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.

In Australia there are only 203 licensees and traders that are Fairtrade certified (Fairtrade Australia and NZ, 2016), and National Hotel Supplies offers two ranges of Fairtrade products, eco.logic* and One Fairtrade.

The One Fairtrade coffee, tea, hot chocolate and sugar was the first range of PCU Fairtrade hot beverage sachets designed specifically for the hospitality industry. Property owners supplying One Fairtrade coffee and tea are making an ethical choice, and their customers will enjoy a great cuppa while knowing the bloke that grew it gets paid a fair price for his hard work.

If you’re seeking a Fairtrade soap, or shampoo, the eco.logic* hair and body range is not only Fairtrade certified, but also environmentally friendly. The bottles are made from 100% recycled milk bottles, making them the perfect choice if you are looking for environmentally friendly hotel amenities.

Why not make a statement, show your guests that you care, not only about where your products come from, but also about the people who make them.

Sign up to our eNewsletter and gain exclusive access to special offers and all the latest news from National Hotel Supplies.

Our monthly eNewsletters are produced with you and your business in mind. Each edition is packed full of member only specials, promotions and industry tips on how to create the perfect guest experience.

If you have FOMO (fear of missing out), great news! Subscribe to our eNewsletter and you’ll be in the know when we launch new products. We’ll also share information about our already extensive range of hotel and motel supplies and guest amenities.

It’s easy to sign up for the National Hotel Supplies eNewsletter. Visit our website and subscribe in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. VOILA, as easy as that!

If you sign up during August, you’ll receive $5 off your first order over $50, so keep an eye out for the unique discount code that we’ll send direct to your inbox.

What’s happening in the August edition? We’ll introduce you to a brand new collection of carbon neutral skin and hair care products. These environmentally friendly hotel amenities are luxurious and also help support women’s rights in rural Morocco. Learn more in our August eNewsletter, coming soon!