A crumpled shirt before a meeting, a dress to freshen up before a wedding: ironing is one of those small expectations that matter. Should you equip every room or offer the service on request? The answer depends on your guests.
The two options
| Option | Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| In the room | Guests are independent, no waiting, a quality image | Purchase for every room, equipment condition to check |
| On request | Limited investment, equipment under control | Waiting, calls to reception, equipment sometimes unavailable |
In the room is recommended for business hotels, hotels hosting seminars and weddings, residences and long stays, and higher categories. On request suits leisure hotels and short stays.
Choosing the right equipment
Hotel irons and boards should be compact, safe and easy to store:
- An iron with automatic shut-off: it switches off if left still, an essential safety feature.
- A compact, stable board, with a heat-resistant cover.
- A wall bracket that holds the board and iron together: nothing lies around, and housekeeping can check at a glance.
Our ironing range includes wall-mounted ironing centres (iron and board stored together), compact boards and safety irons with automatic shut-off.
Where to store them
The best place is in the wardrobe, on a bracket fixed to the wall or the door. Avoid leaving the board behind a piece of furniture or under the bed: it gets damaged and guests can’t find it. If your wardrobe is made to measure, a dedicated space is easy to plan.
Useful extras
- Wooden hangers, including clip hangers for trousers and skirts.
- A retractable clothesline over the bath or in the shower: popular with families and long-stay guests.
Safety first
An iron is a heating appliance: in a guest room, it has to be chosen and maintained with care.
- Automatic shut-off: the iron switches off if it stays still, flat or upright.
- Cord in good condition: check it during deep cleans and replace it at the slightest defect.
- Wall bracket: the iron is stored in its place, not left on the bed or the carpet.
- Instructions: a simple label on the bracket reminds guests to unplug the iron after use.
Ironing centre or board alone?
A wall-mounted ironing centre holds the board and iron in one bracket: the neatest solution for guest rooms. A compact board on its own, with the iron kept in the wardrobe, suits tighter budgets. Either way, check that the board is stable once unfolded.
Common mistakes
- A domestic iron without automatic shut-off.
- A board stored behind the bathroom door, where it absorbs moisture.
- No socket near the spot where the board is unfolded.
- Equipment that’s never checked: dirty soleplate, damaged cord, wobbly board.
Ironing and hotel services
In-room ironing doesn’t replace a laundry service, but it complements it. Many hotels offer both: an iron in the room for a quick touch-up, and a pressing service for outfits that need preparing.
In short
For business or long-stay guests, equip every room with an iron with automatic shut-off, a compact board and a wall bracket. For others, a well-organised on-request service is enough. Either way, include it in your room equipment checklist.
