When you check into a hotel room, the bed is often the first thing you notice. The crisp white sheets beckon you to spread out and relax. Once you’re in, the comfort and coziness envelop you, leading to an unbeatable night’s sleep. Waking up, you feel a sense of rest and relaxation that’s hard to replicate at home.
Since the early 90s, hotel chains have focused on the quality of their guests’ sleep to build loyalty. Guests have spent time and money trying to recreate this sleep environment at home with limited success. It’s challenging to pinpoint all the little tricks used to create that sleep experience, but we’ve been in the industry long enough to uncover all the secrets and we’re ready to share them with you… but Hush Hush… let’s keep it quiet!
One of the best ways to turn your bedroom into a 5-star luxury hotel room is to stick to white bedding only.
Think about your last hotel stay. You might notice that most textiles in hotels are white, including towels, dressing gowns, slippers, and flannels. Why would hotels choose white, a color that can be hard to keep pristine? Nearly 30 years ago, the famous Westin hotel chain conducted surveys of its guests. They found that white bedding led to better sleep reports compared to bedding of other colors. White evokes feelings of cleanliness, purity, and simplicity. These attributes benefit guests physically and psychologically when staying in a bed used by many others.
From an upkeep perspective, white is actually easier to maintain than shaded sheets. The color doesn’t fade and can be treated with environmentally-friendly cleansers like vinegar and baking soda to remove stubborn marks. Stick to pure cotton. If you buy quality sheets made of long-staple cotton, considered the best on the market, you’ll immediately enjoy the lightness, comfort, and temperature regulation that superior threads provide.You don’t need an artificially high thread count. Many consumer brands advertise thread counts in the 800s and even 1000s. Stick to a thread count near under 400. Anything above uses multiple-ply threads, making the sheets dense, heavy, and potentially too warm for comfortable sleep.
Learn to make a bed the old fashioned way. Fitted sheets may save time when making your bed, but using traditional flat sheets adds a feeling of luxury. With practice, it gives you the smoothest sleeping surface. This subtle change can transform your sleep experience from good to stellar. Learn to stuff a duvet. It may add a few minutes to your routine, but for a sleep like the stars, get the perfect duvet insert and duvet cover combo. Your duvet should have a little weight and be made from down or a down alternative like microfiber, ideal for those with allergies. It creates body or ‘loft’ for fluffiness and provides temperature regulation vital to the hotel bed experience.Don’t be afraid of getting too hot – if you copy the hotels, they keep rooms at the optimum of 18 degrees. A little insulation will help you drift off with no need for heavy pajamas or extra blankets.
A duvet cover that’s 100% long-staple cotton will ensure you have the best combination of comfort, crispness, breathability. If possible, buy both the duvet and cover slightly larger than you need them. The extra material on each side of the bed is a long-used hotel trick to add just one more hint of luxury. Go mad with the pillows. Most luxury hotel chains have at least 4 pillows per bed, if not more, including a few decorative ones. Generally, two are softer down-filled (or down alternative) and two are firmer fiber and foam filled. This allows for guests to choose from multiple combinations that suit them personally without having to contact the concierge. Sleep on quality. The foundation of the perfect hotel bed is the mattress. Bear in mind that many hotels have mattresses custom-made for their properties. So, whilst this is beyond most people’s budget, invest in the best quality you can afford.Our guide for choosing a mattress has excellent tips. You should look for quality materials, manufacture, and worthwhile features. Don’t be swayed by sales pitches for features that won’t benefit you. For instance, a memory foam mattress provides great contouring but may not be comfortable all night for those who toss and turn a lot. Spring mattresses offer fantastic support. Features like motion isolation and edge support are great for those who don’t want to be affected by their partner’s movements. However, they can be too soft if not chosen correctly. Consider a hybrid mattress, which combines the best of both worlds. High-end hospitality brands often choose this type of mattress, like the Heavenly Bed at Westin and W properties. Look after your feet. Adding to the 5-star experience is undoubtedly the thick-pile carpet found in the best hotel rooms worldwide, regardless of the outside temperature.
Experience the luxury of a 5-star hotel in your own bedroom by following these simple steps.
Firstly, consider the addition of a high-quality rug beside your bed. The softness underfoot can mimic the plush feel of a hotel’s shag pile, providing a luxurious start and end to your day.
Next, declutter your sleeping environment to enhance the quality of your rest. Emulate the simplicity of a hotel bedside table by keeping only the essentials: a lamp, alarm clock, a glass of water, and perhaps a cherished photo or piece of art. This minimalist approach can significantly improve your sleep by reducing distractions.
By incorporating these tips, you can transform your bedroom into a haven of rest that rivals the comfort of a 5-star hotel.
Achieving a 5-star hotel quality bed is a luxury that everyone deserves and can easily achieve. Here’s how to turn your mattress and bed into an experience that rivals the finest hotels.
Firstly, invest in a high-quality mattress that provides the perfect balance of comfort and support. A good night’s sleep starts with a mattress that contours to your body and alleviates pressure points.
Next, consider the bedding. High-thread-count sheets are essential for a luxurious feel. Opt for soft, breathable materials that keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Don’t forget the pillows. Choose pillows that offer the right amount of firmness and loft to support your head and neck, ensuring a restful night’s sleep.
Finally, add layers of comfort with a plush comforter or duvet, and consider the addition of decorative throw pillows and a bed runner for a finishing touch.
By following these simple steps, you can transform your bed into a haven of comfort and luxury, reminiscent of a 5-star hotel stay.