History of dispensers: what they are used for and most frequent uses

As its name indicates, the dispenser is used to dispense the cosmetic product making it easier to use the product ensuring its safety and safeguarding its properties. Shampoo, conditioners, bath gels, hair and body wash and liquid soaps are generally the most commonly used products in dispensers for hotels.

Designed in America in the 1980s, this device was hailed as an immediate success by the public and on the market, both for home use and above all, in public and hotel facilities.
Today, more and more hotels are choosing to use dispensers instead of traditional mini-packs. Dispensers are much more environmentally friendly because they hold a lot more product, avoid waste and are generally a more sustainable choice, i.e. less volume, less cost and transport, less pollution, less plastic, less storage and less waste disposal.
In addition, choosing to use only 100% recyclable plastic, as in Albogroup’s dispensers, lies at the heart of all sustainable choices.

Luxury hotel dispensers: the future

Hotel dispensers must always comply with safety regulations and be easy to use, even by children and people with disabilities.


In the vast majority of cases, these accessories are attached to the wall for convenient and easy use.


Moreover, especially in luxury hotels, meticulous attention is paid to their design which is carefully adapted to the furnishing because rooms are now also seen as places to take care of personal well-being.


The option of replacing mini packs (which are costly and time-consuming for the cleaning staff to replace every day) with wall-mounted dispensers that guarantee long-term use as well as excellent features, is without doubt a strong point in the hospitality facilities.
Luxury hotels increasingly opt for liquid soap dispensers, the choice of which can also be decided by the customer on the basis of a wide range of available proposals.


These accessories, therefore, represent the future in the amenities sector of hotels of all categories, but especially five-star hotels , where every detail is studied with the utmost care, in order to meet customer expectations and thus improve customer satisfaction.

Benefits of the dispenser

Dispensers were created following the development of this new detergent, the benefits of which are:

  • convenient to use with a simple press of the pump to dispense a specific amount of liquid soap;
  • ease of use, making these accessories the best choice even for children, the elderly and people with disabilities;
  • maximum safety from the point of view of hygiene, as the product is enclosed in a sealed container;
  • cost savings as only the amount of product needed for washing hands is dispensed;
  • lower environmental impact as a result of cutting down on raw materials and thus on pollutants emitted in the environment;
  • improved handling by cleaning staff, which can speed up bathroom preparation time;
  • easy to replace on wall mounts (fixed);
  • clear view of the content so the devices can be switched only when required.

Thanks to all of these undeniable advantages, an increasing number of luxury hotels are turning to liquid soap dispensers, which, among other things, help to enhance the visual appeal of the rooms through their custom style and refined elegance.


According to Albogroupitaly.com, a company dedicated to top quality in luxury hotel bathroom accessories, dispensers are set to become increasingly popular.

Contact us for more information

Can a dispenser become a designer object?

There are well-known designer objects that have revolutionized home décor since the late 19th century. Thanks to the advent of the Bauhaus movement in the 1920s, heralding a real boom in designer objects, intended not only for the upper classes of society, but also for a wider and more diverse audience who began to appreciate aesthetics. An evolution that reached its peak with a real creative explosion in the 1960s.
Objects that have become icons dominated these years and have forever transformed rooms from the kitchen to the living room, with a new approach to functionality more in touch with modern needs and tastes. Homes, after all, have become much smaller over the past century, and furniture and accessories have adapted to our modern hectic life style.
Some of the most popular designer objects include:

  • The Bialetti Moka coffee pot, by Alfonso Bialetti, with an Art Deco design
  • The Tulip Chair, rightly makes the list, created by Eero Saarinen
  • The Arco Flos lamp, by the creative duo, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni 
  • The Wassily chair designed by the Hungarian architect and designer, Marcel Breuer
  • Le Creuset, perhaps the most famous cooking pot in the world
  • The LC4 chaise-longue designed by Le Corbusier
  • The Barcelona chair created in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition
  • The Anglepoise lamp designed by car designer, George Carwardine.

Thanks to this innovative creative energy that spanned the entire 20th century, we are now used to viewing objects not just for their specific function, but also as stand-alone objects, each with its own harmony, colours and shape.
Even a simple object such as a hotel dispenser requires a complex creative design process to turn a simple device into a modern designer element that blends seamless and elegantly into the décor of a hotel bathroom. Consequently, Albogroup has developed unique shapes for its dispensers that allow maximum customisation of the product in specific collections. You can find out more about the Albogroup dispenser collections here.

How much can be saved by using liquid soap dispensers?

In addition to being accurately dosed and, therefore, avoiding wasted product, liquid soap also does not require much water, thus helping to save on consumption.


Thanks to its well-balanced and sanitising formulation, this cleanser eliminates bacteria and keeps skin smooth, moisturised and nourished.


When choosing dispensers, which are essential accessories for using liquid soap, there are a number of things that need to be considered, which can result in significant savings.

Dispenser design

The shape of the dispenser is usually cylindrical with a pump or dosing cap for dispensing the product.

The more traditional models, which are pressured, feature a container in which the pump is submerged to release soap after the dispenser is pressed.


While household models can be placed on the sink, the versions for hotels, B&B, office and public spaces are mounted on the wall.

Dispenser capacity

This is the defining feature of dispensers as it relates to the amount of liquid soap that can be contained in the bottle and is measured in millilitres.


The greater the capacity of the dispenser, the longer it will last. When it is finished, you simply replace the container by inserting it into its holder.

Product life

The quality requirements of the materials used o produce the dispenser affect not only its strength, but also its durability, which must remain unchanged for as long as it contains the soap.

Liquid soap type

Always check that the dispenser is capable of dispensing different types of liquid soap or other cosmetics most commonly used by consumers.

Dispensing method

Dispensers can dispense manually (by being pressed) or automatically (via sensors); the latter is designed to avoid any contact with the dispenser.

It is always advisable to choose good quality dispensers, which are easily replaced, with a simple dispensing system and, above all, made from environmentally friendly materials such as Albogroup dispensers which are made from 100% recyclable plastic.

Although different situations affect the overall costs, the use of dispensers is generally considered to result in significant product savings.

For more information on the specific features of Albogroup’s hotel dispensers, visit the Design Collection, technical page directly or choose from the many dispenser collections available.

5-star luxury hotel: what are the requirements?

When you are looking for an ideal place to relax, with well-defined time and spaces and a team of professionals on hand to meet your every need, the best solution has got to be a luxury hotel.
This type of hotel is chosen not only for its elegance, comfort and numerous services but also and above all because it meets the very specific high standards required to maintain the prestigious five-star title.

A luxury hotel must meet a number of criteria relating to the hotel structure, the number and location of rooms and the services provided by the staff. In a luxury hotel, it is also important to maintain a first-class, precise and well-cared-for image, including the sophistication and elegance of the uniform.

What should a five-star hotel have?

All the standards of quality, once achieved, must be maintained over time in order to retain all the stars that have been earned.
The requirements also include quality hotel amenities, with specific collections, customised with the hotel brand to offer a genuine wellness service.
Indeed, the importance of amenities should not be underestimated, as they actively contribute to the success of an memorable and comfortable stay, guaranteeing personal care and relaxation. Customers will be able to use quality products with a modern and attractive design. Among the best available on the market are those produced by Albogroup, a leading producer of innovative cosmetics for hotels.

Description of a luxury hotel

A luxury hotel must, first and foremost, have an architectural design that offers privacy in the rooms and suitable communal spaces.
Consequently, every five-star hotel must ensure that there are at least seven rooms, of which three have the characteristics of a suite. The rooms must have the dimensions prescribed by law, so single rooms must be no less than nine square metres, while the double rooms must be at least sixteen square metres. If beds are added, there must be at least an additional six square metres, while bathrooms cannot be less than five square meters. The furnishings, on the other hand, must include armchairs, a satellite TV, a telephone for external calls, as well as a safe and private equipment, offering all modern comforts.
Guests will benefit from amenities such as:

  • complimentary toiletries
  • hair dryer
  • waste paper bins and clean towels

It is important to note that every room must be soundproofed to ensure a good night’s sleep and maximum privacy.

The communal spaces of a luxury hotel include a dining room, bar service, lounge area for leisure or reading, a breakfast area and reserved area for business and corporate meetings. Each of these spaces must, in addition to its specific function, also all provide restrooms, a luggage deposit and coat-check service.

Lastly, in terms of facilities, all hotels built on at least two levels must have a guest lift, a service lift or luggage lift. In addition, for a comfortable stay all year round, it is essential that all areas of the hotel are adequately heated in the winter or that air conditioning is guaranteed in the summer months. The climate must always be ideal, for an all-round comfortable experience ensuring clean, healthy air at all times.

Contact us for more information

The services guaranteed by a luxury hotel

Among the services guaranteed by a luxury hotel are, firstly, a 24-hour reception and check-in service, with qualified staff able to speak at least three languages.
There must also be a night porter and luggage service available at all times.
In the case of private rooms, there must be a system of safekeeping for valuables, with safety deposit boxes in every room.
Bar service can be requested directly from the rooms at any time, day or night, while a staff member is available at the hotel bar for 16 hours out of 24.
For all-round comfort, food and beverage services are also available to guests. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can request both breakfast and meals in your room, or eat in the restaurant.

Room cleaning is guaranteed at least once a day and it is at the discretion of the customer to request that it does not take place daily (for example, for personal reasons related to ethical choices or due to respect for the environment). Moreover, the rooms are generally tidied again in the afternoon. The cleanliness of a five-star hotel is impeccable and complemented by other essential amenities for a luxury stay, such as same-day laundry and ironing service.
Other guaranteed amenities are also worthy of mention, such as convenient on-site parking 24 hours a day for guests’ vehicles, use of Wi-Fi in every room and communal areas, as well as a fax and photocopying service, in addition to computer workstations.

Who decides how many stars a hotel has?

Hotels that meet all the requirements and standards indicated above receive the prestigious 5 stars, a recognition of the quality of their image and services. In the past, the region or even the municipality, in which the hotel was located, was responsible for assessing and, therefore, deciding the number of stars. This, however, led to very mixed criteria which did not guarantee compliance with certain standards.
Following the enactment of the 2008 Decree, however, in Italy there are specific requirements which must be assessed and the staff of the province are responsible for assigning the number of stars to the hotel. Qualified experts are delegated to inspect the hotel and assess all its characteristics in order to classify it appropriately and in a manner that complies with national parameters. All ratings must be applied to every newly built hotel, as well as to hotels that decide to renovate and make changes to the interior or exterior of the building.
Therefore, if the statutory requirements are not maintained over time, hotels may be downgraded according to the quality of the spaces and services offered.

In the rest of Europe, on the other hand, specific bodies have been set up. In particular, Hotrec-Hospitality Europe is a consortium which includes forty trade associations from the European Union and hotel federations from ten different countries. This organisation has established common criteria for all member countries which must be observed and monitored. The standards are outlined in a document known as Hotelstars Union, i.e. a unified system of hotel classification. Other countries, such as France or the United Kingdom, continue to have their own national standards, as is still the case in Italy.

What are hotel amenities and why are they important?

Low-cost flights and the limitations dictated by the coronavirus and on hand luggage have made hotel amenities even more attractive. Finding complimentary products in your room when you arrive at your accommodation help to make you feel at home and leave a lasting impression when you are travelling, often making the difference when choosing where to stay. These cosmetic products help to turn the stay into a wellness experience by conveying a sense of care, elegance, sophistication, emotions and the notion of being pampered to guests.
The quality and style of a hotel or any type of accommodation are also differentiated by the choice of amenities. Buying anonymous single-dose sachets of shampoo or soap in bulk and leaving them in the hotel bathrooms is a gesture that, although occasionally saves a modest amount of money, can have a negative effect leaving the guests who use them with a less than pleasant memory.
Investing in customised, quality hotel amenities not only offers a positive welcome to your guests, but is also an excellent investment in indirect advertising that enables you to create loyalty in your customers.

What is meant by and what is the meaning of amenities?

The word amenity or amenities in the plural, when related to hospitality facilities, indicates all the services and comforts needed to make the guest’s stay pleasant and comfortable.
It embodies the concept of complimentary products. In the past, services that today are seen as essential elements when classifying accommodation, such as providing towels, hairdryers and minibars, were once considered to be amenities. This does not detract from the fact that even supplying towels, for example, can make a difference by choosing soft, high-quality fabrics, just like the products used for stocking the minibar, with the option of choosing quality products, especially organic products where possible.
The range of products on offer is comprehensive and includes soaps, shampoos and bath gels. The range of hotel amenities or complimentary products available are expanded every day with new and useful accessories.


Today’s state-of-the-art hotel amenities include different services to keep pace with the times and the latest needs of people who travel the world whether for business or leisure. Free Wi-Fi and dedicated sockets for smartphones and laptops, high-definition TV or smart TV service, rooms equipped for remote working. Lifestyle and wellness services are becoming more and more prevalent alongside the latter. For example, direct entry to the spa, fitness in the gym or, better still, personal trainer services, personalised massages and the beauty centre to make your stay enjoyable, one-of-a-kind and above all, a memorable part of your holiday.


Their choice should not be underestimated.
The quality and packaging of bathroom amenities, for example, are the first sign of welcome for guests who stay in any type of accommodation.
Hotel amenities create a longer lasting impression than you may imagine. Customised complimentary products are the first form of indirect advertising that initiates immediate feedback.


The ultimate in hotel amenities is achieved and perceived in 5-Star and Boutique hotels, the new luxury hotels whose philosophy places great importance on amenities.
Boutique Hotels, for example, are small hotels that can have from 10 to a maximum of 100 rooms, equipped with mini-apartments where the furnishings are carefully designed to ensure the guest experiences unique emotions and sensations.
Conceived in the USA as a way to distinguish small hotels with their offer, they are now commonplace throughout Italy, especially in cities of art and located mostly in historic centres and period buildings.
Each location is meticulously cared for, starting with the stylish furnishings down to the very last detail. Boutique hotel amenities range from the softness of the pillows to books, rugs, coffee, tea and herbal tea-making facilities and elegant sets of cups. Customised ranges dedicated to bathroom amenities or toiletries figure prominently among these services.

Examples of bathroom amenities

In addition to the ever-present towels and bath mats, bathroom amenities also include products for personal hygiene such as bars of soap, shampoo, shower gels, aftershave lotions, face and body lotions. Hotels that want to set themselves apart through style and sophistication offer soft bathrobes, shower caps or comfortable slippers (preferably eco-friendly) and many other products that are aimed at enhancing the guest’s stay in the hotel.
Hotel dispensers are also becoming increasingly popular because they are environmentally friendly while reducing costs, transport and packaging compared to traditional mini-sizes. Albogroup, with an ever-watchful eye on sustainability, specialises in the production of hotel dispensers and, with its many elegant products, is a true sector-based leader, offering customisation and third-party manufacturing services as well.

What are toiletries?

Toiletries are amenities specifically for personal hygiene and cosmetics. The toiletries of quality hotels include toothbrushes and shaving kits which are also widely available, along with cosmetics for pre- and post-treatment spa services.
The world of toiletries offered by the finest establishments is a world of aromatherapy and pampering, for which we often don’t have time in our busy daily schedules. The amenities industry is an area where a hotel can use imagination and extensively customise its offer, either by purchasing quality products or by choosing to have them manufactured by third parties.
Own-brand toiletries and carefully selected products can showcase original bottles containing high-performance formulas that are gentle on the skin and contain sophisticated fragrances, but always with a focus on eco-sustainability.

Contact us for more information

Albogroup’s amenities

Albogroup is a company that has been specialising in the production of bathroom amenities and toiletries for forty years, with products dedicated to retail, not just in single-dose and single-use packages.
Albogroup offers not only customised ranges requested by large hotel chains or other accommodation facilities, but also high-quality lines, specifically designed to meet the various needs and respect the different styles and missions featured in a variety of guest houses, B&B or accommodation facilities seeking to add a signature spin to their hospitality offer. Albogroup primarily targets distributors, specialising in hotel supplies, allowing them to choose from the many innovative and elegant amenity lines available or to develop customised designs.


Among the many lines available, the Pure White range, for example, features a signature black and white design for its bottles and single-dose sachets. This line is designed specifically for hotels and facilities with a classic, minimalist style of décor, although it also blends seamlessly into designer bathrooms. White dominates, evoking purity, candour and elegance. In addition to the 30 ml single-dose bottles of shampoo, shower gel and body lotion, coordinated with the single-dose sachets, Albogroup champions eco-sustainability with paper-wrapped mini-soaps and the 400 ml dispenser, which is the real innovation.
The Deep Black line is the mirror image of Pure White, transforming the colours with white lettering on a black background.


Orange blossom, mandarin, freesia, lily of the valley, the magic of the floral scent is reminiscent of the Zen philosophy showcased in the Honami line, the term used in Japan to indicate the intoxicating, vital sensation perceived during the magical blossoming of cherry trees.
The Honami line, designed for after-spa pampering, features 40 ml transparent bottles, 10 ml single-dose sachets and 20 g wrapped soaps in soft, fresh pastel colours that conjure up visions of spring, and above all, coordinated with the 400 ml hotel dispensers, specially designed with an elegant wall bracket.
Albogroup pays particularly attention to the land, values and Italian style and has, consequently, developed amenity lines inspired by Italy, its magnificent scents and the countryside. The dispensers of the Italia line are a clear example of this. Chinotto oranges, red grape, olive and myrtle are top-quality Italian products that are transformed into amenity lines with a unique charm.
The Neroli line is also a tribute to nature and freshness with its intense, bitter-sweet fragrance that captures the essence of sunlit Mediterranean landscapes and the beauty of tradition. It is an invitation to stop and appreciate life.
The new cosmetic products in solid form, which represent the ultimate in eco-sustainability and environmental friendliness, deserve a special mention. Albogroup is a leading manufacturer of these totally plastic-free products and its Solid.O Original line is also available in the form of mini-size shampoos for hotels: high-performance solid shampoos and shower gels that are good for the skin, hair and the planet.

Third-party production for Albogroup Hotel Amenities

Albogroup draws on its extensive experience to produce several lines of amenities for hotel chains and hospitality facilities. Its customers include major industry-based distributors, both Italian and international, and prestigious hotels that also want to make a statement with the quality of the amenities and toiletries they provide to make a lasting impression on their guests and encourage loyalty.
We listen carefully to the customer’s needs before creating a meticulous design that is not just limited to featuring the hotel’s brand on the packaging, but aims to enhance and add value the customer’s personal mission.
All Albogroup lines can be customised according to customer specifications both in terms of formulas and packaging.


The company dedicates a whole host of lines to hotels differentiated by style, colour and fragrance. For example, the prestigious Argan Line with a refined and ultra-elegant style and sophisticated fragrance. Argan oil, known and appreciated the world over, is the basis of this hotel line. Its active ingredient has emollient, moisturising and anti-ageing properties, making it a true beauty elixir for the skin. The Argan Line dispensers, available in the Liquid Soap and Hair and Body Wash version, are designer products that are also both eco-friendly and modern.
The company focuses on safeguarding the planet and eco-sustainability by offering practical 300- or 400-ml bottles and single-dose soaps in handy paper wrappers for each of its lines.
Alongside the personal hygiene products and liquid cosmetics, there are also classic soaps and soap bars available, as well as innovative plastic-free solid cosmetics: solid shampoos, solid bubble baths, solid hair and body washes. Albogroup is an in-house producer of this innovative type of solid cosmetics, in hotel amenity form as well, and thanks to its long-standing experience, it is also a leader in the third-party production of environmentally friendly solid cosmetics.
The Solid.O and Solid.O Beba Lena line for kids is the perfect answer for hoteliers who want to give their hotel an eco-friendly footprint. This line can be customised both in content, including organic ingredients, and in packaging, specially designed for the most demanding customers.

Hotel soap and shampoo dispensers, how they work and where to buy them

It is now clear that to avoid the spread of disease and keep premises clean, contamination-free and safe, we need to wash our hands frequently. Convenient, handy and easy to use, the hotel soap or shampoo dispenser is a system designed to easily release soap, shampoo or hand disinfectant gel by pressing the pump located on the top of the dispenser.
It’s a device that is gaining in popularity and widely used because its features can bring lots of benefits to our everyday lives.

Albogroup dispensers, Up and Down system

Choosing the right hotel dispenser for your customers can be a difficult decision because you need to carefully consider the features of the dispensers and how you want to use them. Albogroup’s dispensers are excellent, high-quality products, increasingly chosen by hotels.
Extreme care has been taken over the collection, starting with its design, which is simple and customisable. The company, a leading producer of cosmetics and luxury hotel products, has, in fact, successfully designed attractive yet highly functional dispensers that are perfect for any business that wants an extra stand-out feature and to buy the best.
Albogroup is always on the lookout for innovation and sustainability – in production, the company pays particular attention to sustainability and waste reduction.
The two flagship products of the dispenser line are two unique and carefully designed models, starting with the names, Uranus and Neptune.

  • Uranus is a minimal model, a wall dispenser that contains 400 ml of product, with a pump dispenser. The dispenser is made of recyclable PE in either black or white.
  • Neptune, on the other hand, is a Press & Wash wall dispenser, in the 400 ml format and also available in black and white.

Both models have a transparent side window to check the level of product they contain.
A special feature of these soap dispensers is the wall mount, which is coordinated with the chosen model but also interchangeable between the two models.
The innovative up & down system deserves a special mention and can be applied using two handy dowels. It is designed so that you can change the dispenser at any time by simply turning the stand upside down.
Thanks to this system, if you decide to buy the other model, you can easily change the colour or customize the design, without making any addition holes in the wall thus keeping the surface intact. The rounded, smooth shape of the bottle means it can be quickly replaced and cleaned. Each model has a key for safe bottle replacement.
The many strengths featured in Albogroup products include the combination of the visual appeal of the design and the excellent functionality, as well as the focus on sustainability. The company has designed dispensers that, unlike traditional models, meet today’s customer needs. They are small, cost-convenient, recyclable with a keen awareness on issues like the use of plastic, pollution and energy consumption.
All the models are 100% recyclable.
Choosing these dispensers for your business means making a well-informed choice, respecting both the environment and your needs, while significantly reducing consumption but without foregoing visual appeal. All the models of the bottles can be custom printed and you can also put your logo on the stand and request exclusive colours.

Contact us for more information

Soap dispensers: where can they be installed?

Experts suggest choosing qualified companies that manufacture and sell soap dispensers. This is also very important for the successful installation of hand cleaning devices.
Once purchased, the dispenser can be placed at the entrance of an office, venue or business, as well as anywhere else in the workplace. Indeed, in public places in particular, with a high footfall, it is very important to install one or more dispensers to ensure cleanliness and safety for both customers and staff.
One of the places where the soap dispenser should definitely be installed is the bathroom.
The dispenser provides restaurants, bars or other business premise with a twofold advantage, on the one hand, it leads to greater cleanliness and on the other hand, it is also effective from an aesthetic point of view. In fact, the modern and minimal design means it can be installed anywhere, fitting in seamlessly with the existing décor.

With regards to the installation, in addition to choosing where to place it, you also have to decide whether to install a stand or a wall dispenser. The two decisions are, however, interconnected – in the case of the bathroom, for example, a wall model is much better because it can be easily fixed to the wall using screws and dowels or a special adhesive. In the case of a company, it may be better to opt for a desktop system.
Albogroup’s liquid soaps for hotel lines, available in its innovative dispensers, meet all these quality requirements. In addition to the innovative design and sophisticated and highly attractive fragrances, they are also liquid soaps Made in Italy and dermatologically tested.

Albogroup dispensers: collections and customisations

Albogroup is a leading producer of hotel dispensers with excellent design features and product quality. The dispenser collections reflect the all-Italian spirit of the company and its quest for style and elegance.
All Albogroup hotel dispensers can be customised to distributor or customer specifications, through a special focus on the graphics, the insertion of customer logos or by creating new and exclusive designs and styles.
The products are the classic hotel amenities: shampoo, hair conditioner, hair and body wash, liquid soaps, body lotion and many more.
For more information on custom or third-party production of hotel dispensers, please contact Albogroup directly.