In this episode, we are joined by Deepak Mehrotra, founder and CEO of California Design Den, for a practical discussion on how linen decisions affect short-term rental operations over time.
Drawing from more than 20 years in textile manufacturing, Deepak shares how California Design Den evolved from supplying major retailers to working directly with short-term rental operators. The conversation focuses on how linen choices shift as portfolios grow, and why decisions that seem straightforward early on can become more complex at scale.
Rather than treating linens as a one-time purchase, this episode explores them as an operational system that touches guest experience, laundry workflows, replacement cycles, inventory planning, and cost control.
Episode Chapters:
01:07 – Deepak’s background in textile manufacturing and direct-to-consumer bedding
04:55 – How and why STR operators became a core customer segment
16:45 – Cotton performance and durability in high-turnover environments
17:45 – Common reasons linens need replacement in STR operations
13:33 – Renting versus owning linens and how operators assess the tradeoffs
14:43 – Laundry considerations for in-house and outsourced models
25:31 – Inventory availability, fulfillment speed, and consistency at scale
31:56 – How linen strategy evolves as portfolios grow
28:09 – Operational simplicity when managing linens across multiple properties
Connect with Deepak:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepak-mehrotra-9752682/
Connect with California Design Den:
Website: https://www.californiadesignden.com/
✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:
Upgrade your guest sleep experience with California Design Den.
Get 10% off with code AlexAnnie10OFF.
Apply for California Design Den’s Linen VIP Club to access preferred pricing and dedicated hospitality support.
👉 Click here to get started: https://form.jotform.com/240328613238150
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