Hotel towels smell of mildew even after they called them freshly laundered — ask for replacements or buy our own?

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Towels arrived with a mildew smell after the hotel insisted they were fresh from laundry. We rewashed one in the sink and it still smells. Ask the desk for another set, insist they remake the stack, or buy cheap towels in town for the rest of the stay? Practical guest moves only.

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5 Answers from travellers

Accepted Answer

Ask the desk for a replacement set from a different stack — rainy-season laundry can leave a mildew note even when towels look clean. If the second set still smells, ask them to check the cupboard stock or offer a shop towel while they rewash. Buying a cheap pair in town is a reasonable backup for the rest of a short stay. I will not invent a towel surcharge as gospel. Polite specific ask beats rinsing the same mildew set all week.

25
M
Malini Housekeep1735 rep

Asked for cupboard spares. Different stack, no mildew. Done.

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Sara Ask Stack176 rep

Bought two cheap towels in town. Used hotel bath mat only after that.

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K
Kai Town Towel171 rep

Sink rewash plus vinegar helped a hand towel. Bath sheets still needed a swap.

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Ava Sink Rewash167 rep

Polite desk note. Fresh set after lunch. Smell finally gone.

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Ben Desk Note164 rep

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