The four pricing models
London commercial laundries serving hotels tend to quote one of four ways. Each model has a different risk profile, different billing cadence, and different operational implications for the hotel.
Per-kilo is the legacy model — you pay by the weight of linen collected. Per-item is increasingly standard for hotels because it makes cost predictable by category (sheet vs towel vs robe). Per-occupied-room ties laundry cost directly to hotel revenue — useful for budget and mid-market hotels. Fixed-fee monthly contracts suit large hotels with predictable volume.
Per-kilo pricing
Per-kilo rates in London typically sit in the £1.20–£2.50 range depending on linen type, volume commitment, and postcode. The rate is almost always lower than equivalent per-item pricing on a like-for-like basis — but per-kilo obscures which linens drive the cost.
Per-kilo suits high-volume operators with stable linen mix. It's a bad fit for hotels with variable occupancy or linen mix (mixing sheets and terry towels in the same load distorts the maths).
Per-item pricing
Per-item is the most transparent model for a hotel GM to audit. Typical London indicative ranges: sheet £1.20–£2.00, duvet cover £2.50–£4.50, pillowcase £0.40–£0.80, bath towel £0.90–£1.50, bath robe £3.50–£6.00.
The ranges above are indicative only — actual pricing depends on volume, collection frequency, linen weight, and postcode route. Always ask for a written schedule by item.
Per-occupied-room and fixed-fee contracts
Per-occupied-room pricing bundles all linen processed for one room-night into a single figure — £4–£9 depending on hotel category. It's popular with aparthotel operators because revenue and laundry cost move together.
Fixed-fee monthly contracts suit 100+ room hotels where volume is predictable and the operator wants a forecastable P&L line. Contracts typically include a volume ceiling with overage billing above a threshold.
What to ask for when comparing quotes
Collection and delivery: included or priced separately? Most serious commercial laundries serving London include free collection and delivery for commercial accounts.
Stain and damage premiums: what's the policy on heavy staining, rips, and unrecoverable linen? Some laundries charge; reputable operators treat it as a cost of service.
Minimum order: is there a per-collection minimum? For boutique hotels with small volumes this can quietly double the effective cost.
Emergency / same-day fees: what's the uplift for a 4-hour turnaround request? Honest answer is usually no uplift at all, subject to route capacity.