Equipping a Hotel with Technical Curtains: Professional Guide
Sleep quality is the number one satisfaction driver in hospitality. According to the J.D. Power 2023 study (North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index), a quiet room ranks among the very top factors for sleep quality, which itself is decisive in hotel guest satisfaction. A technical curtain that combines 100% blackout, sound attenuation and thermal insulation in every room directly improves online reviews, guest return rates and revenue per available room (RevPAR).
This professional guide explains why the curtain is the most underrated hotel investment, how to specify performance by room type, and the method for equipping an entire property with no disruption to operations.
How curtains impact online reviews and revenue
Online reviews are the leading conversion lever in hospitality. According to TrustYou (2024), a 0.1-point gain on the average Google or Booking rating raises the conversion rate by 2.5% and allows a price increase of 1 to 2%. For a 50-room hotel at 100 euros/night, 0.1 point more represents 15,000 to 30,000 euros of additional annual revenue.
Sleep-related complaints are among the most frequent and the most damaging:
- "The room wasn't dark enough": a curtain that lets in streetlight or sunrise. Solution: 100% blackout + made-to-measure (zero side halo).
- "Too much street noise": windows facing a busy street, especially in city centres. Solution: 18-22 dB sound attenuation on the windows.
- "Room too hot / too cold": large, poorly insulated glazed surfaces, especially under the roof or on south-facing façades. Solution: thermal insulation (5-7°C gain).
All three problems are solved with a single piece of equipment per window. A high-density multilayer technical curtain replaces a basic blackout curtain + a thermal curtain + a soundproof curtain with a single product combining all three performances.
Specifications by room type
| Room type | Blackout requirement | Soundproofing requirement | Thermal requirement | Fire class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard room | 100% (full black) | 18+ dB (sleep comfort) | Depending on exposure | M2 minimum (M1 recommended) |
| Suite / superior room | 100% (full black) | 22+ dB (premium silence) | 5-7°C (high-end comfort) | M1 recommended |
| Street-facing room | 100% | 22 dB minimum (critical) | Standard | M2 min. |
| South/west-facing room | 100% | Standard | 5-7°C (critical in summer) | M2 min. |
| Meeting / conference room | 100% (projections) | 18+ dB (confidentiality) | Standard | M1 mandatory (> 50 m²) |
| Restaurant / bar | Variable (ambiance) | 18+ dB (acoustic comfort) | Depending on exposure | M1 mandatory (> 50 m²) |
| Lobby / reception | Variable | Standard | Critical (large display windows) | M1 mandatory |
Recommendation: rather than specifying a different model per room type (added complexity in management, storage and replacement), choose a single model that meets the highest requirements (100% blackout + 22 dB soundproofing + thermal insulation + M1). This single model suits every room and simplifies stock, replacement and maintenance management.
Calculating hotel return on investment
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | 50 rooms × 2 windows × 150 euros/curtain (made-to-measure average) | 15,000 € |
| Online review gain | +0.1 rating point → +2.5% conversion rate → +15,000-30,000 €/year RevPAR | 15,000-30,000 €/year |
| Energy savings | 100 windows × 7°C gain* × reduced heating/cooling | 2,000-5,000 €/year |
| Replacement savings | Current curtains (2-4 year lifespan) vs technical curtains (10-15 years) | 5,000-10,000 € over 10 years |
| Total ROI | 15,000 € investment / 17,000-35,000 € annual gain | 5 to 10 months |
The investment pays for itself in under a year in nearly every scenario. It is one of the best ROIs in hotel equipment: a one-time investment that improves reviews (continuous revenue), reduces energy costs (annual savings) and extends textile lifespan (fewer replacements).
The Kurtens method for equipping a full hotel
Phase 1: audit and specifications (1-2 days)
- Measuring the dimensions of each window type (often 2-3 different types in a hotel).
- Identifying constraints by zone: street-facing rooms (soundproofing priority), south-facing rooms (thermal priority), common areas (M1 mandatory).
- Choosing colors in coordination with the interior designer or the property's brand guidelines. In B2B, colors are fully customizable (no fixed palette), tailored to each property's visual identity.
- Samples sent on request to validate shades and texture.
Phase 2: quote and order
- Personalized quote within 24 business hours, including detailed pricing per room, volume terms and the manufacturing schedule.
- M1 certification available on request.
Phase 3: manufacturing (2-3 weeks)
- Each curtain is made to measure to the exact dimensions. No adjusted standard size: each curtain matches its window.
Phase 4: installation (1-2 days for 50 rooms)
- Installation by the hotel's technical staff. Kurtens partner installers can step in if needed.
- Floor-by-floor planning to minimize the impact on operations. Rooms equipped in the morning are available to sell that same evening.
Performance tailored to each space
In B2B, Kurtens manufactures to specifications. Each space in the hotel can have different specifications, tailored to its real constraints:
| Space | Recommended performance | Colors | Fire rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street-facing rooms | Blackout + soundproof + thermal (triple performance) | Per room guidelines | M2 recommended (not required if < 50 m²) |
| Quiet courtyard-facing rooms | Blackout + thermal (soundproofing not a priority) | Per room guidelines | M2 recommended |
| Suites ≥ 50 m² | Triple performance + premium color coordinated with the designer | Custom made-to-measure | M2 mandatory (AM 12 b) |
| Restaurant > 50 m² | Soundproof (reverberation absorption) + thermal (patio doors) | Coordinated with the ambiance | M2 mandatory (AM 12 b) |
| Meeting rooms > 50 m² | Blackout (projection) + soundproof (confidentiality) | Neutral (grey, beige) | M2 mandatory (AM 12 b) |
| Stairs, lobbies, corridors | Per configuration (thermal if large display windows) | Coordinated with common areas | M2 mandatory, M1 in enclosed stairwells |
The advantage of a single supplier: even when performance and colors vary by space, working with one supplier guarantees consistent quality, a single point of contact for the project, a coordinated manufacturing schedule and a grouped delivery. Kurtens tailors each curtain to the specifications of each space: à-la-carte performance (blackout only, soundproof only, thermal only, or any combination), fully customizable colors and M1 or M2 certification available on request.
One point to watch: do not underestimate standard rooms. A guest in a standard room who sleeps poorly because of an unsuitable curtain leaves the same negative review as a guest in a suite. The impact on the Google rating is identical. Even if a courtyard-facing room needs no soundproofing, blackout and thermal performance remain essential for sleep comfort.
Key takeaways
A hotel room curtain is not a decoration line item, it is a revenue line item. A curtain that guarantees total darkness, silence and thermal comfort directly improves online reviews, guest return rates and RevPAR. The investment pays for itself in 5 to 10 months.
For a personalized quote for your property: request a Kurtens professional quote. Reply within 24 business hours, made-to-measure manufacturing, M1 certification available, no minimum order, samples on request. To learn more about our hospitality offer: made-to-measure curtains for hotels.
*Data from tests carried out under optimal conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Which curtain should you choose for hotel rooms?
Performance must be tailored to each room type. Street-facing rooms: blackout + soundproof + thermal (triple performance). Courtyard-facing rooms: blackout + thermal (soundproofing is less critical). Suites: triple performance + colors coordinated with the designer. In B2B, Kurtens manufactures to specifications: à-la-carte performance, fully customizable colors, M1 or M2 certification available on request.
How much does it cost to equip a 50-room hotel with curtains?
For 50 rooms × 2 windows on average = 100 made-to-measure curtains: budget 12,000 to 20,000 euros depending on dimensions. The return on investment is 5 to 10 months thanks to improved online reviews (+0.1 point = +15,000-30,000 euros/year of RevPAR) and energy savings (2,000-5,000 euros/year). Detailed quote within 24 business hours.
Is fire-resistance class M1 or M2 mandatory for hotel curtains?
Standard rooms under 50 m² have no regulatory M-class requirement for curtains (not covered by articles AM 11-12). M2 is mandatory in circulation areas (corridors, lobbies) and in rooms over 50 m² (restaurant, meeting rooms, suites ≥ 50 m²). M1 is mandatory only in enclosed stairwells and on stages/platforms. That said, insurers and hotel chains often require M2 in guest rooms. M1 certification is available on request at Kurtens.
How do you install the curtains without closing the hotel?
Installation is done floor by floor or wing by wing, room by room. A curtain installs in 5-10 minutes per window on an existing rod. Rooms equipped in the morning are available to sell that same evening. For a 50-room hotel: 1-2 days of work by the property's technical staff. No closure needed, no outside contractor required.
Does Kurtens handle orders of more than 100 rooms?
Yes. No minimum or maximum order. The process is the same for 5 rooms or 200: dimension audit, personalized quote within 24h, made-to-measure manufacturing, grouped delivery. For projects of more than 50 rooms, a manufacturing and delivery schedule is set together to fit your operating timeline.
Are samples available before ordering?
Yes, material and color samples are available on request. They let you validate the shade, texture and feel of the fabric before ordering, and present them to the property's designer or interior architect. Request them when you get in touch via the professional quote form.
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