Hi - just wanted to let you know about these (no, I am not advertising and have no vested interest in any way!). They are also sometimes called 'hammam towels'.
I was browsing the internet for new beach towels last week and stumbled upon these - they look like pashminas/sarongs, are around the size of a large bath sheet and are usually made of cotton, but you can get them in linen and even silk. They are very fine and thin, but advertised as very absorbent. If you are packing for a holiday, they take up far less room and weigh a lot less than towelling beach towels. That was what appealed to me, especially as we're only going for a week and have a 15kg luggage allowance each.
Anyway, I ordered a couple and they arrived this week direct from Turkey. I've washed and dried them before use and have now tested them - they do work. No, it's not them same as wrapping yourself in a cosy, thick towel, but perfect for using on the beach. Very absorbent. Because they are thin they dry really quickly too. I'm impressed - I'd never heard of them before.
Just thought I would share that.