These Bath Towels Are the Hotel-Level Upgrade I Needed at Home

In partnership with Wamsutta. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.

Nothing feels better than stepping out of the shower and into the right towel. That's a feeling I've chased on many a spa day I could barely afford. Yet for some reason, the luxe, fluffy embrace I covet in high-end hotel bathrooms was something I denied myself at home. A heavenly towel felt too indulgent for everyday use. Instead, I told myself I was content with a flat, bare-bones product, that my money was better spent elsewhere.

Let me tell you: it wasn't. Now that I'm the proud owner of Wamsutta cotton bath towels, I'm kicking myself for the years I spent using anything else. Though an iconic American brand with roots that go back to 1846 (!), nothing about the Wamsutta experience feels dated. They've got exceptional customer service, convenient online ordering, but most importantly, products that feel timeless. 

That's because they manage to deliver both comfort and functionality, a towel that's as buttery soft as it is highly durable. Even better, they bring the same Goldilocks factor to their bedsheets, duvets, and pillows, meaning there's a cohesive collection that works across both bedroom and bathroom. So while your bath towel is a perfect place to start, take it from us: once you level up there, it won't be the last Wamsutta product you welcome into your home.

History That Matters

In a field where new brands seem to pop up every five minutes – often spending more time on their IG aesthetic than on their products – it's refreshing to see Wamsutta continue a long legacy. Founded in 1846 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, their shirts, sheets and cotton goods became known far and wide for their quality. They’ve proudly maintained this reputation in the 180 years since.

At the core of that success lie great materials. The brand leans heavily on three: Egyptian cotton, with long-staple fibers that are incredibly absorbent; Essentials cotton that’s thick and fast-drying using 100% cotton; and percale used in their sheets and bedding, the material that Wamsutta was the first to distribute in America. This super crisp, breathable form of cotton lends a cool finish to sheets and pillows, the ultimate must if you get hot in your sleep like I do.

With these staples anchoring their bed and bath product lines, I knew I was in good hands no matter what I tried out. But after seeing the sorry state of my regular bath towel, my first Wamsutta order was a no-brainer.

Leveling Up at Home

As you may have gathered from how long it took me to upgrade my bathroom set, I'm usually not one to splurge. Wamsutta's Essentials Cotton Bath Towel Set ($90 for 2 towels) may cost more than budget-tier offerings, but $45 for a towel that'll hold up for years felt worth the investment. I was very pleased to see how many color options there were – 12 to be exact – with a wide spectrum from Cloud Pink to the alluring gray Lunar Rock. I opted for a timeless and classic Bright White and was pleased to find a coordinating Hand Towel and Washcloth Set in each color too (also priced at $90 for 2 hand towels and 4 washcloths). 

Immediately upon unboxing, I was hooked on the handfeel. The towels aren’t just soft, they’re substantial, with the just-a-little-over-the-top factor that stopped short of feeling fussy. Their cotton is both 800 grams per square meter – a high number that indicates heft and warmth – and "low-twist", which means the fabric blooms outward into a super plush texture. The real surprise, though, was actually the size. Wamsutta makes a generously large towel, one you can wrap yourself up in and feel the drying happen in real time. The woven border still keeps it feeling polished and neat, not overly big; just an embarrassment of riches in the form of more surface area. 

Within my first few uses, drying off became something to look forward to. It became a reward at the end of the shower instead of the "now I'm cold" coda to rush through. They even became the kind of home good I was excited to share with guests. You know a product is great when it makes you excited to be an evangelist. And having used these towels almost compulsively since I got my hands on them, I can confirm they're still as luxe now as they were when they were brand new.