Why Hotels Always Have a Cloth Across the Bed — You’ll Be Surprised

Why Hotels Always Have a Cloth Across the Bed — You’ll Be Surprised
Next time you stay at a hotel, take a look at the bed. Notice that narrow strip of fabric running across the foot of the bed? Many people think it’s just decoration—but it actually has a practical purpose.

What It’s Called
This strip of fabric is known as a bed runner. While it adds a touch of color and style to the room, its origin and purpose go deeper than aesthetics.

The Practical Purpose
Protects the Bedspread:

Travelers often place luggage, shoes, or dirty bags on the foot of the bed.

The bed runner acts as a protective layer, keeping the main bedding clean and fresh.

Hygiene:

Hotels must maintain high standards of cleanliness.

Instead of washing the entire bedspread after every guest, housekeeping can clean or replace the bed runner, which is easier and more efficient.

Aesthetic Appeal:

It adds a luxury feel and a pop of color to the room.

Hotels carefully choose bed runners to match the room’s decor, giving a polished, welcoming look.

Fun Facts
Luxury hotels often have embroidered or branded bed runners as a signature touch.

In some hotels, bed runners are used to mark the bed as “ready for guests” after cleaning.

While mostly decorative today, the practical protection function is still widely used, especially in high-traffic hotels.

Conclusion
So the next time you see that cloth on a hotel bed, remember—it’s not just for show. It keeps the bed clean, makes housekeeping easier, and adds a luxurious feel to your stay. That little strip is a perfect example of how function meets style in hotels.