Lake swimming, do you supply towels?

[Karen1332]

I have a lake cabin I’m renting on Airbnb. My question is, for hosts with lakes for swimming, are you providing towels for the guests to use down by the lake? I don’t want anyone using my cabin towels so towels for swimming shouldn’t be my nice towels, and also I feel washing a bunch more towels guest would use for swimming should be an upcharge since that’s more loads of laundry and drying time and my cleaning charge/budget is already tight. Thanks for your ideas! 

[Linda108]

Since your listing is called Lake Cabin and access to the lake is a major draw for your guests, it would make sense for you to supply towels for lake use.   Unless you are a listing that does not supply any towels or bed linens as in some beach or lake areas, guests will need to have access to towels.  I think you could get a ton of towels from garage sales or thrift stores for little money.  You would need a rule about which towels are available for lake use and perhaps encourage guests to wash and re-use while at the cabin.  

Don't leave extra good towels available for guest that are booked for less than a week and the guest will have an incentive to keep the good towels for bathing.

[Karen1332]

Great suggestions! It did occur to me to have the guests wash their own swimming towels. 

[Lawrene0]

I have a muddy river on the property, @Karen1332 , and I provide old towels for swimming, wiping down gear, etc. 

If I didn't do that, they would be using and losing the good shower towels.

You will not regret providing two sets of towels, and making it clear with signage which is which. I don't find it increases laundry time, but I can take only two guests at a time. Since nearly all your guests will be using the towels, you might consider covering what you need for the laundry by increasing your price a little. 

[Karen1332]

Ok thank you! It sounds like I should line up some towels for swimming. Do you think some gently used towels would be ok? I imagine towels are going to get left down by the lake, even though I would never do that to a host I know some people are not that curious. 

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Karen1332 

Towels take up a lot of space and are hard to travel with..... so I agree with others that providing towels (honestly....ratty and clean is fine) for swimming and charging enough to cover additional costs is better. And you won't have to worry about your nice towels as much.

Also, you should consider a security deposit and a rule that despite providing separate towels for swimming if there is evidence that bath towels were used at the lake or have any stains that don't come out in a normal wash cycle then an extra fee of $X per towel will be charged. 

[Karen1332]

That’s a great idea, I cringe thinking they will use my nice towels down there. I might need to set up a towel station in our boat house for lake towels. 

[Lisa723]

@Karen1332 yes-- old towels are fine. We put ours in a bin labelled "Lake Towels" -- if you don't supply, guests will use your bath towels.