Trying to find the best hotel beds is such a mystery. It seems that whoever buys hotel beds is either 1) a masochist enjoying your pain or 2) a genie granting your bed wishes. And there is very little in between.
We all have had some sort of bed snafu or awesome experience when staying at a hotel. From the disgusting or uncomfortable to heavenly, we all have a story to tell. Recently having stayed at a number of SPG properties, I have discovered they are all extremely firm. Nothing wrong with that, but I prefer to sleep on as close to a cloud as possible.
Having thought further, I decided to do a bit of research into the science of sleeping, see which beds are available for sale, and provide some tips on how to maximize that 8 hours of recharging!
In This Post
The science behind “New Bed Syndrome”
We all have our sleeping rituals. Whether it be leaving the TV on, having 46 pillows surrounding us, or wrapping ourselves like a hefty Chipotle burrito in multiple blankets, we all love our beds. When entering the unchartered territory of a new bed, our animal instincts kick in, and we are subconsciously in survival mode, thus resulting in a not so great 8 hours of sleep. Whether in be noises, smells, or lighting in the room, our brains are in defense mode and cannot relax.
Here is a bit more info into that… The science behind why we find it hard to sleep in a strange bed.
The Best Hotel Beds
Some hotel chains have a reputation for having the best hotel beds. And many travelers base their brand loyalty on which chain has the best hotel beds for their sleeping preferences. If you want to bring the hotel environment into your home, most hotel chains offer the ability to buy their beds direct… and you can often find them on sale!
- SPG has their Heavenly collection.
- Hyatt’s beds are Grand (but they stopped offering them for sale September 1, 2016).
- Kimpton has The Kimpton Bed.
- Hilton has The Hilton Bed.
Click here to see a review of the 11 best hotel beds and where to buy them. And while you’re at it, check out these 27 amazing hotel pillows that you can buy.
Tips and Tricks for a Better Snooze
Getting a good night of sleep is not just about finding the best hotel beds. While we are sleeping, our bodies are still processing the day’s activities and everything going on around us. Sounds and smells heavily affect our sleeping patterns, so here are some tips to assist…
- If you are sensitive to noise, make sure you are away from any vending/ice machines/constructions/traffic. If you speak with the front desk, more times than not they are willing to accommodate you with a room away from the elevator. Also, do not hesitate to REPORT NOISE. Your sleep is valuable and the hotel should be willing to assist.
- For light sensitivity, ask for blackout shades! Many times shades in hotels only block out so much light. If they are not able to accommodate, ask/bring an eye cover.
- Pillows are HUGE! Rather than bringing your own pillow and lugging it around, let the property know your preferences (i.e. soft,firm,flat) and bring your own pillow case from home. Your body will recognize the smell from your pillow case, thus allowing your body to relax more. And, a pillow case is far more portable!
- Sleep only! Many hotels have limited seating/areas to work. Do your best to limit activities in bed to sleeping. Except for… well, you know <<wink, wink>>
The Bald Thoughts
When booking a hotel room, the main purpose of it is to have a place to sleep. Before traveling, evaluate the bedding situation as best as you can over the phone with the property or with reviews online. Let them know ahead of time what accommodations you are needing, and you will have a much better chance of a good nights rest.
We want to hear your best/worst hotel bed stories! The comment section is open for your stories.
[…] The Best Hotel Beds For Awesome Sleep – Which is Your Favorite? […]
Recently, I was staying at a Marriott property with two beds in one room. We arrived late at night and went to bed, needing to get up early the next day for work. Unfortunately, I had not noticed a smoke detector right on top of my bed. It had a blinking green light that drove me crazy all night and seriously affected my sleep.
Lesson learned: look for smoke detectors or other light emitters as soon as you get into the room and, if there is one, either request a room change or that the light be somehow covered before it’s too late!
That would drive me absolutely crazy! I sleep with a pillow over my head to reduce noise and light pollution as much as possible. Thanks for the tip.