Equipping a Hotel with Technical Curtains: Professional Guide
Sleep quality is the number one criterion for satisfaction in the hotel industry. According to a J.D. Power study (2023), 89% of unsatisfied guests cite noise or light as the primary factor for their poor night's sleep. A technical curtain that combines 100% blackout, sound attenuation, and thermal insulation in each room directly improves online reviews, customer return rates, and revenue per available room (RevPAR).
This professional guide details why curtains are the most underestimated hotel investment, how to specify performance by room type, and the method for outfitting an entire establishment without operational interruption.
The impact of curtains on online reviews and revenue
Online reviews are the primary conversion driver in the hotel industry. According to TrustYou (2024), a 0.1-point gain in the average Google or Booking rating increases the conversion rate by 2.5% and allows for a 1% to 2% price increase. For a 50-room hotel at 100 euros/night, an additional 0.1 point represents an additional 15,000 to 30,000 euros in annual revenue.
Sleep-related complaints are among the most frequent and destructive:
- "The room wasn't dark enough": curtains that let in light from streetlights or sunrise. Solution: 100% blackout + custom-made (zero side halo).
- "Too much street noise": windows facing a busy street, especially in city centers. Solution: 18-22 dB sound attenuation for windows.
- "Room too hot/too cold": large, poorly insulated glass surfaces, especially under roofs or on south-facing facades. Solution: thermal insulation (5-7 °C gain).
These three problems can be solved with a single piece of equipment per window. A high-density multi-layer technical curtain replaces a simple blackout curtain + a thermal curtain + an acoustic curtain with a single product combining all three performances.
Specifications by room type
| Room type | Blackout requirement | Acoustic requirement | Thermal requirement | Fire standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard room | 100% (complete darkness) | 18+ dB (sleep comfort) | Depending on exposure | M2 minimum (M1 recommended) |
| Suite / superior room | 100% (complete darkness) | 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 (management complexity, storage, and replacement), opt for a single model that meets the highest requirements (100% blackout + 22 dB acoustic + thermal insulation + M1). This single model is suitable for all rooms and simplifies inventory management, replacements, and maintenance.
Calculating hotel return on investment
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | 50 rooms × 2 windows × 150 euros/curtain (custom-made 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* × heating/AC reduction | €2,000-€5,000/year |
| Replacement savings | Current curtains (duration 2-4 years) vs technical curtains (10-15 years) | €5,000-€10,000 over 10 years |
| Total ROI | Investment €15,000 / annual gain €17,000-€35,000 | 5 to 10 months |
The investment pays for itself in less than a year in almost all scenarios. This 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 the life of textiles (fewer replacements).
The Kurtens method for outfitting an entire hotel
Phase 1: Audit and specifications (1-2 days)
- Measurement of dimensions for each window type (often 2-3 different types in a hotel).
- Identification of constraints by zone: street-facing rooms (acoustic priority), south-facing rooms (thermal priority), common areas (M1 mandatory).
- Color selection in coordination with the interior designer or the establishment's charter. In B2B, colors are fully customizable (no fixed palette), adapted to the visual identity of each establishment.
- Samples sent on request for color and texture validation.
Phase 2: Quote and order
- Personalized quote within 24 working hours including detailed pricing per room, volume conditions, and manufacturing schedule.
- M1 certification available upon request.
Phase 3: Manufacturing (2-3 weeks)
- Each curtain is custom-made to exact dimensions. No standard size adjustment: 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 assist if needed.
- Planning by floor to minimize impact on operations. Rooms outfitted in the morning are available for sale the same evening.
Performance adapted to each space
In B2B, Kurtens manufactures to specifications. Each area of the hotel can have different specifications, adapted to its real constraints:
| Space | Recommended performance | Colors | Fire rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street-facing rooms | Blackout + acoustic + thermal (triple performance) | According to room charter | M2 recommended (not mandatory if < 50 m²) |
| Quiet courtyard-facing rooms | Blackout + thermal (acoustic not priority) | According to room charter | M2 recommended |
| Suites ≥ 50 m² | Triple performance + premium colors coordinated with decorator | Customized | M2 mandatory (AM 12 b) |
| Restaurant > 50 m² | Acoustic (reverb absorption) + thermal (large windows) | Coordinated with ambiance | M2 mandatory (AM 12 b) |
| Meeting rooms > 50 m² | Blackout (projection) + acoustic (confidentiality) | Neutral (grey, beige) | M2 mandatory (AM 12 b) |
| Stairs, lobbies, corridors | According to configuration (thermal if large windows) | Coordinated with common areas | M2 mandatory, M1 in enclosed stairwells |
The advantage of a single supplier: even if performance and colors vary by space, working with a single supplier ensures consistent quality, a single point of contact for the project, a coordinated manufacturing schedule, and grouped delivery. Kurtens adapts each curtain to the specifications of each space: à la carte performance (blackout only, acoustic only, thermal only, or any combination), fully customizable colors, and M1 or M2 certification available upon request.
A point of vigilance: do not underestimate standard rooms. A standard room guest who sleeps poorly due to inadequate curtains leaves the same negative review as a suite guest. The impact on the Google rating is identical. Even if the courtyard-facing room doesn't need acoustic performance, blackout and thermal insulation remain essential for sleep comfort.
Key takeaways
Hotel room curtains are not a decorative item; they are a revenue item. A curtain that guarantees total darkness, silence, and thermal comfort directly improves online reviews, customer return rates, and RevPAR. The investment pays for itself in 5 to 10 months.
For a personalized quote for your establishment: request a professional Kurtens quote. Response within 24 working hours, custom manufacturing, M1 certification available, no minimum order, samples on request. To learn more about our hospitality offering: custom hotel curtains.
*Data from tests conducted under optimal conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which curtain to choose for hotel rooms?
Performance must be adapted to each room type. Street-facing rooms: blackout + acoustic + thermal (triple performance). Courtyard-facing rooms: blackout + thermal (acoustic is less critical). Suites: triple performance + colors coordinated with the decorator. In B2B, Kurtens manufactures to specifications: à la carte performance, fully customizable colors, M1 or M2 certification available upon request.
How much does it cost to equip a 50-room hotel with curtains?
For 50 rooms × 2 windows on average = 100 custom-made curtains: expect 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 in RevPAR) and energy savings (2,000-5,000 euros/year). Detailed quote within 24 working hours.
Is the M1 or M2 standard mandatory for hotel curtains?
Standard rooms under 50 m² have no regulatory M-rating obligation for curtains (not covered by articles AM 11-12). M2 is mandatory in circulation areas (corridors, lobbies) and premises over 50 m² (restaurant, meeting rooms, suites ≥ 50 m²). M1 is only mandatory in enclosed stairwells and on stages/platforms. However, insurers and hotel chains often impose M2 in rooms. M1 certification is available on request from Kurtens.
How to install curtains without closing the hotel?
Installation is done by floor or wing, room by room. A curtain can be installed in 5-10 minutes per window on an existing rod. Rooms outfitted in the morning are available for sale the same evening. For a 50-room hotel: 1-2 days of work by the establishment's technical staff. No closure necessary, no external service provider required.
Does Kurtens handle orders for more than 100 rooms?
Yes. No minimum or maximum order. The process is the same for 5 rooms or 200: dimensions audit, personalized quote within 24 hours, custom manufacturing, grouped delivery. For projects over 50 rooms, a manufacturing and delivery schedule is defined together to adapt to your operational planning.
Are samples available before ordering?
Yes, material and color samples are available on request. They allow you to validate the shade, texture, and feel of the fabric before ordering, and to present them to the establishment's decorator or interior designer. Request them when you contact us via the professional quote form.
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