Written by Bridget Chapman, Senior Product Editor
More than 52 percent of American travelers stay in hotels in a given year, with 72 percent of these folks saying they would likely increase their hotel visits in 2024, according to a survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. And after traveling, many people find themselves wanting to immediately replace their bed at home with the luxurious, durable, and supportive mattress they enjoyed while they were away. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best hotel mattresses.
We rounded up a variety of brands that offer beds often found in these rooms — along with some high-quality mattresses that could double as what you’d sleep on at a 5-star hotel. Sleepopolis has assisted more than 12,544 people in finding a new bed in 2024 alone, and we hope to do the same right now for you. Keep reading to find your personal best hotel mattress.
Our Top Pick for Hotel Mattresses
We’re big fans of the Saatva, due to its luxury features and traditional innerspring feel. All of this goes a long way to making us feel like we’re in a 5-star hotel.
The Best Hotel Mattresses
- Saatva Classic – Best Overall Hotel Mattress
- DreamCloud Premier – Best Luxury Hotel Mattress
- Nectar Hybrid – Best Hotel Mattress for Couples
- Helix Midnight Luxe – Best Hotel Mattress for Combination Sleepers
- WinkBed Plus – Best Hotel Mattress for Heavy Sleepers
- Nolah Evolution – Best Customizable Hotel Mattress
- Bear Elite Hybrid – Best Hotel Mattress for Athletes
- Titan Plus – Best Hotel Mattress for Back Sleepers
- Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe – Best Soft Hotel Mattress
- Birch Luxe Natural – Best Organic Hotel Mattress
Video Review: Best Hotel Mattresses – Our Top 6 Hotel Mattress Picks!
What We Look For In The Best Hotel Mattresses
Comfort and Support
If you are in the market for a luxurious, hotel-style mattress, one thing you might be especially concerned with is the comfort and support of this mattress. We know this is important to you, so we tested each of these mattresses ourselves by examining the quality of the materials in the mattress, laying on the bed ourselves to feel the comfort, and testing each mattress again our firmness scale, which places mattress firmness on a 1-10 scale.
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief is important in every mattress, but it is especially important when you are looking for a comfortable and luxurious mattress like one you might find in a hotel. We used a pressure map to test the pressure relief of each of the mattresses on this list to make sure you are finding the best mattress for your pressure relief needs.
Durability
When looking for a luxurious, hotel-style mattress, you are likely to want to ensure that it is not only comfortable and quality, but also durable. We want this for you too, so we made sure to look into the materials of every mattress on this list to help you find a quality, durable mattress that feels just like your favorite hotel mattress. We also tested for things like edge support, firmness, and construction to empirically find the most durable hotel mattresses.
Compare Best Hotel Mattresses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Saatva Mattress | DreamCloud Premier Mattress | Nectar Classic Hybrid | Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress | WinkBed Plus Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress | Titan Plus | Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe Mattress | Birch Luxe Natural Mattress | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-soft: 6/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7/10 |
| Material | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors
|
Back Sleepers,
Hot Sleepers |
Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers,
|
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
|
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors,
|
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors
|
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors
|
Hot Sleepers,
Back Pain, Side Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers |
Best Overall Hotel Mattress – Saatva
The Saatva’s coil-on-coil construction provides a classic innerspring feel. It’s a good option for combo sleepers, who will want to feel free to switch positions and avoid feeling “stuck” in the mattress. It comes in three firmness levels, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs. The white glove delivery Saatva provides is an added perk and will save you the headache of getting rid of your old mattress (they take it away for free!). For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
From California to New York, Saatva mattresses are found in hotels across the country, especially in luxury boutiques and lodges. It’s such a popular choice because it offers a traditional, sturdy feel with a comfortable, pressure-relieving pillow top. Saatva considers their flagship bed a “luxury innerspring” due to its coil-on-coil construction that, after testing it out, we found to be both bouncy and supportive. The company even extends the luxurious features to its shipping by offering free white glove delivery. Movers will deliver your mattress fully expanded (they’re never compressed in boxes), set it up in your room of choice, and take away your old mattress if desired.
What our tester says: “I think the Saatva is a great option for back sleepers, as the Luxury Firm model provides enough cushioning for their lumbar region, but also lots of support to keep their spine in a neutral alignment. I also think combination sleepers should be happy on the Saatva since its layers of coils make for a bouncy mattress that’s easy to move around on.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Best Luxury Hotel Mattress – DreamCloud Premier
The DreamCloud Premier’s construction is a thoughtful, luxurious take on the company’s flagship mattress. It uses a hybrid of foam and coils to achieve a firmer feel that’s still pressure-relieving. We think many back sleepers and stomach sleepers should appreciate this mattress. With such versatility and many special features, the Premier is well-equipped to cater to couples. Learn more in our DreamCloud Premier video review.
What our tester says:
“From the cashmere cover to the Euro top, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with this bed. I really like how this mattress combines sturdy support with cozy pressure relief — making it a great choice for back sleepers.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Expert Opinion
DreamCloud says its beds are even better than what you’d find in a high-end hotel like the Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton because they offer a luxury, upscale feel that comes with stellar policies and affordable prices. Their DreamCloud Premier is a 14-inch hybrid bed featuring “best-in-class” materials. From a cashmere blend cover to contouring memory foam and pocketed coils, we really did get a luxurious sleeping experience while testing out the Premier. We should say that, despite the more luxurious materials, the Premier has the same level of firmness as the original DreamCloud. When we laid down on both mattresses, we clocked them at a 7 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale.
What our tester says: “It is also important to note that the DreamCloud brand classifies the DreamCloud Premier as a luxury mattress, and I think by the end of this review, you’ll understand why. This mattress includes a cashmere cover and a Euro pillow top, giving it that plush, comforting feel that’s common in many luxurious beds.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Best Hotel Mattress For Couples – Nectar Hybrid
The Nectar Hybrid is a medium-firm mattress with a durable hybrid construction. It works especially well for back sleepers, as it provides enough support to keep their spines in neutral alignment. The hybrid design also gives it nice breathability and responsiveness, meaning it stays cool as you sleep and is easy to move around on.
What our tester says:
“I think back sleepers should be really happy on the Nectar Hybrid. They’ll get both spinal support and pressure relief at the lower back.” – Bridgert Chapman, former senior product editor
Expert Opinion
The Nectar Hybrid utilizes pressure-relieving memory foam, individually wrapped coils, and a medium-firm feel to offer a similar vibe to what you’d find in a charming bed and breakfast. We like it for couples since it’s cooling and has strong edge support, allowing both partners to spread out and utilize the entire surface of the mattress. We should also talk about the bed’s solid motion isolation. Motion isolation refers to a mattress’s ability to keep movement from rippling across the sleep surface. We test this by dropping a steel ball onto the bed and measuring its vibrations with a seismometer. The Nectar Hybrid showed low vibrations, which means you’re unlikely to feel your partner tossing and turning.
What our tester says: “Overall, the Classic Hybrid from Nectar is a solid choice for individuals with mobility issues and couples who like to use the entire surface area of their mattress.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Best Hotel Mattress for Combination Sleepers – Helix Midnight Luxe
Helix has a line of six hybrid mattresses, each with a different level of firmness. The Midnight is one of their medium models. It has enough contouring for side sleepers, but should still be supportive enough for back sleepers, as long as they don’t mind a softer bed. Learn more in our video review.
What our tester says:
“I like the Helix Midnight Luxe for back sleepers and side sleepers. The medium-soft to medium-firm feel should give these folks the right balance of comfort and support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
Expert Opinion
Helix has made a name for itself in the mattress industry with its original line of six hybrid mattresses, all with a different level of firmness. Each of these beds also has an upgraded Luxe version that brings sleepers hotel-level comfort with added luxury features such as a plush pillow top and extra height. The Helix Midnight Luxe (the Luxe version of the Helix Midnight) is one of our favorites due to its medium-soft feel and responsiveness. This makes it a great choice for combination sleepers since it works for different sleeping positions and is easy to move around on. When we laid down on the Midnight Luxe, we had no problem switching positions.
What our tester says: “Combination sleepers should be comfortable on the Helix Midnight Luxe, as it is has a lot of responsiveness and bounce. You likely won’t feel “stuck” in the bed, and switching positions should feel easy.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Best Hotel Mattress for Heavy Sleepers – WinkBed Plus
The WinkBed Plus is a firm, hybrid mattress designed specifically to accommodate heavyweight sleepers. Through our testing, we found it works best for back sleepers, particularly those over 250 pounds. It also does a good job of isolating motion, which will likely appeal to you if you sleep with a partner. If you want to learn more about the WinkBed Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“This mattress was designed for heavier people and it really is a fantastic bed for these individuals. Heavy people fed up with unsupportive mattresses will find a lot to love about this luxury mattress.” – Bridget Chapman, former Sleepopolis senior product editor
Expert Opinion
WinkBeds’ luxury hybrid mattresses are featured in hotels in destination cities across the United States, including Sonoma, Vail, New Orleans, and New York City. There are several different models of these beds, and we recommend the WinkBed Plus for heavy sleepers weighing more than 250 pounds, since its reinforced materials were designed with larger body types in mind. The mattress has extra-tall coils, as well as high-density, “anti-sag” foam and solid edge support, so you can spread out and use the full surface area of the mattress. This helps make the mattress feel bigger. Overall, the bed has a bouncy and responsive feel. Also, WinkBeds makes all their mattresses in the USA, which helps ensure high-quality materials and safe production.
What our tester says: “Heavy people fed up with unsupportive mattresses will find a lot to love about this luxury mattress. I’m a fan of the Plus’s bouncy and supportive feel.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
Best Customizable Hotel Mattress – Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution’s hybrid construction offers the cushioning of memory foam with the responsiveness of coils. The Luxury Firm model is a good option for side and back sleepers due to its medium-firm feel, though there are Plush and Firm versions as well. Those who share a bed may also appreciate its low motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by a partner’s movements and its solid edge support to allow you to maximize surface area. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I laid down to rest on this mattress on my back — my primary sleep position. I felt comfortable, but also appreciated the cozy, plush top of the bed. After some time lying on my back, I switched over to my side. I didn’t find this position quite as comfortable, as I did feel some slight pressure buildup in my shoulder.” – Amelia Jerden, senior staff writer
Expert Opinion
The Nolah Evolution earns our favorite customizable hotel mattress because it comes in three different firmness levels (Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm). Regardless of which model you choose, it blends memory foam and supportive coils, and at a whopping 15 inches, it offers a hotel-like experience (taller beds are known for their luxuriousness and durability). We should also note that the foam here is a proprietary material called AirFoam Ice, which is designed to be a cooler and more breathable alternative to standard memory foam. So the Evolution could be an excellent pic for hot sleepers.
What our tester says: “I love how the Nolah Evolution comes in three different firmness models, so you can choose the best fit for you. For the Luxury Firm model, I really appreciate its medium-firm feel. This mattress provides good pressure relief and body contouring.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
Best Hotel Mattress for Athletes – Bear Elite Hybrid
The Bear Elite Hybrid uses foam and coils for a mix of support, cushioning, and cooling. While designed for athletes prioritizing wellness and recovery, sleepers of all activity levels can enjoy the many luxurious features. Enjoy zoned support for targeted relief, an “on top of” feel allowing for ease of movement, and cooling features throughout. For more information, watch our video review.
What our tester says:
“I’d recommend the Bear Elite Hybrid for most back and stomach sleepers.I think these sleepers will get the needed pressure relief and contouring around the lower back and hips. This mattress does a wonderful job at offering body contouring while still helping the sleeper stay elevated and lifted as well. The layers of foam should provide comfort while the coil system should offer lots of support.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and mattress tester
Expert Opinion
Bear has partnered with flagship hotels such as Hilton and IMG, as well as upscale boutique hotels to offer travelers exceptional sleep quality. We like the Bear Elite Hybrid for athletes because it’s the brand’s “ultra-luxurious” model that’s pressure-relieving and supportive for active bodies. Bear also offers an optional Celliant cooling cover, which is a material some studies say can help with blood flow and post-workout recovery. The way it’s meant to work is the Celliant absorbs your body heat, then redirects it back to your body and converts it into energy. While we haven’t formally tested this, we can say with confidence that the material sleeps extra-cool.
What our tester says: “I can say that, like phase change material, Celliant sleeps nice and cool, which should help athletes cool down after a workout.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Best Hotel Mattress for Back Sleepers – Titan Plus
The Titan Plus mattress is a durable mattress made with heavy sleepers in mind. It’s firm and features heavy-duty coils and Titanflex foam that makes it bouncy and easy to move around on. We think that heavy back sleepers and stomach sleepers should be especially comfortable. For more information on the Titan Plus, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“I think the Titan Plus lives up to its name as a good mattress for heavier sleepers. It will offer them the deep compression support and durability they need.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
One huge consideration when purchasing the best hotel mattress for back sleepers is a balance of comfort and support. This way, a sleeper can experience contouring at the lumbar region for necessary pressure relief, as well as that support to keep the hips lifted and the spine in a neutral alignment. Rest assured that for back sleepers over 130 pounds, the Titan Plus provides the necessary firmness and support without sacrificing a plush hotel feel. On our pressure map, the Titan Plus showed almost zero pressure buildup in the back-sleeping position, which is an indication that most back sleepers should experience the blend of cushioning and sturdiness they need.
What our tester says: “I think this mattress is suitable for average weight back sleepers — if they prefer a firmer place to lay at night. These sleepers should benefit from the added back support they’ll get on this firm bed.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Best Soft Hotel Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe
The Brookyn Bedding Aurora Luxe mattress is one of Brooklyn Bedding’s more high-end mattresses. It’s got a ton of cooling features in it that can help hot sleepers sleep cool all night. It’s also available in three different firmnesses, so it can accommodate all of the sleeping positions. For more information, check out our video review.
What our tester says:
“First and foremost, I’d recommend this mattress to hot sleepers. This bed sleeps nice and cool thanks to special phase change technology and gel infusions. The Aurora Luxe is also a nice pick for back sleepers. This mattress in the Medium model is medium-soft, so it should contour the hips while also lifting them into alignment.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Expert Opinion
Hotel mattresses are often synonymous with soft, plush, and lavish feels — and that’s exactly what the soft model of the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe delivers. It’s a hybrid mattress that brings folks a soft, cuddly sleep experience. The Aurora Luxe comes in three firmness levels, Soft, Medium, and Firm, meaning it has a perfect option for almost every sleeper. When we tested the Medium level out, we gave it a 6.5 out of 10 on our mattress scale, placing it in the category of medium firm. However, our tester’s expert opinion would place the Soft model around a 5.5 or 6 on our scale, making that a great option for those who like to feel extra hugged. The coils in the mattress, regardless of the firmness level, will keep you from sinking too far into the layers, which can go a long way in assisting with spinal support and helping you maintain a neutral spinal alignment.
What our tester says: “I think side sleepers wanting a bit of a firmer feel should like this mattress, although they might want to go with the Soft model over the Medium model, especially if they experience joint pain.” – Nichole Mondshein, lead reviewer and staff writer
Best Organic Hotel Mattress – Birch Luxe Natural
Similar to the Birch Natural, the Birch Luxe Natural blends Talalay latex foam with sturdy coils that are zoned for support. We think it’s a good fit for back sleepers and stomach sleepers who enjoy a firmer bed. Its luxury upgrades include a softer cover with organic cotton and cashmere, plus the mattress has earned multiple certifications for safe production and materials. To learn more, see our video review.
What our tester says:
“I love that the Birch Luxe Natural is an eco-friendly model. I think a lot of people would find comfort in knowing there are no harmful chemicals in this bed and it’s made from organic materials. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, I think the Birch Luxe could be a great option for you. It’s firm, yet breathable.” – Bridget Chapman, former senior product editor
Expert Opinion
Organic mattresses are becoming very popular, as more and more consumers want to be sleeping on eco-friendly, natural, and safe materials. But just because a mattress consists of organic and responsibly sourced materials doesn’t mean it still can’t offer the same opulent experience as other luxury models. Take the Birch Luxe, for instance. Its comfort layer comes backed with organic cashmere and wool. When we laid down on the bed, we got some immediate plushness, with firmness and support coming from the below layers of natural latex foam and zoned coils. We should also note its many eco-conscious certifications, including GOTS certified cotton, GREENGUARD Gold, a badge from the Eco Institute, and certification for Fair Trade. Read more about what these terms mean in our guide to mattress and bedding certifications.
What our tester says: “I love that the Birch Luxe is an eco-friendly model. I think a lot of people would find comfort in knowing there are no harmful chemicals in this bed and it’s made from organic materials.” – Bridget Chapman, senior product editor
What Types of Mattresses Do Hotels Use?
Even though many hotels (such as the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more) make their own mattresses or employ mattress companies to create customized beds, they’re still going to have some similar qualities to preexisting beds. Here are some of the traits and mattress types we associate with hotel beds, and some of the things you might want to look for if you are dying for a hotel style mattress.
Hybrid Construction
The majority of the time, the mattress that you find in your hotel room is going to be a hybrid mattress. This is because the combination of foams and coils in this construction allows the user to experience both pressure relief and support at the same time. The coils lift both the mattress and the sleeper so they won’t experience sag in the mattress while sleeping. On the other hand, the foams allow the sleeper to slightly sink into the mattress, providing pressure relief while continuing to keep the spine in a neutral position. This gives that luxury feel that most hotel mattresses seem to generate.
Cooling Quality
As you can see, the majority of the mattresses on this list have cooling features included. Whether that be the Tencel cover in the Lux Estate mattress that helps wick away moisture during the night, or the Celliant fiber used for breathability in the Bear Elite Hybrid, hotel mattresses prioritize the comfort of a refreshing night’s sleep. With this, even the hottest sleepers can experience the luxury comfort of a hotel mattress.
Durable Construction
While you probably aren’t concerned with the trial period or warranty of your short-term hotel mattress, if you want this luxury feel in your own home, it’s important to note. The majority of the mattresses on this list include a 356-day trial period, as well as a lifetime warranty. Because hotel mattresses need to be durable in order to sustain so many different body types and sleeping positions, it is crucial that the mattress holds up. In your own home, an extended trial period and warranty will allow you to feel secure in the mattress you purchase so you can focus on the luxury feel.
What to Look For When Buying the Best Hotel Mattress
Not every hotel mattress is going to work for everyone. The right fit for you depends on different factors, like your sleeping position, body type, sleep style, budget, and whether or not you share the bed with a partner. To help you figure out the right mattress to be searching for, let’s go over some key factors. You can also check out our mattress buying guide for more tips and information.
Mattress Types
We’ve covered several different hotel mattress types in this roundup. Let’s go over their differences below.
- Foam: Memory foam mattresses consist of all-foam layers. The foams can differ in density and have different cooling infusions, but memory foam is generally known for providing pressure relief and deep sinkage. Check out our roundup of memory foam mattresses to see some of our favorite foam picks.
- Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are primarily constructed with coils. Modern-day innerspring beds usually include some memory foam as well for pressure relief. Overall, innersprings are known for being bouncy, supportive, and durable. Check out some of our favorite innerspring mattresses to learn more.
- Hybrid: A hybrid mattress typically combines both foams and coils in its construction. This allows it to provide the best of both worlds of pressure relief and support. Hotel mattresses are usually hybrids and often feature a pillow top for added comfort. Head over to our roundup of the best hybrid mattresses and best pillow top mattresses to see some of our top picks.
- Latex: A latex mattress is made with latex foam derived from either Talalay or Dunlop latex. Latex foams are more eco-friendly because they include organic material choices, like natural sap collected from rubber trees. Latex mattresses typically combine latex with coils or poly foams to be durable, bouncy, and cooling.
What About Hypoallergenic Materials?
If you want a quality mattress that feels like you are sleeping in a hotel on vacation, then one thing you might be thinking about is natural, organic, or hypoallergenic materials. Some materials are naturally hypoallergenic, like latex. Innerspring mattresses are also very good at not holding onto common allergens like dust because they are so breathable. If you are looking for natural or organic materials, we recommend looking at our recommendations for the best organic mattresses.
Cooling
When you think about a great hotel mattress, you probably think of a relaxing, luxurious, best-sleep-of-your-life vacation mattress. Something you likely do not think about is being too hot. This is why cooling is so important when looking for a hotel-style mattress. Staying cool throughout the night is one of the best ways to get quality, comfortable sleep. Materials like breathable coils, gel-infused foams, porous materials, and cooling materials like breathable cotton all help to keep a mattress cool, and these are materials we recommend when looking for a hotel mattress.
We tested the cooling capability of the mattresses on this list using a thermal gun. We measure the temperature of the mattress before and after someone has laid on it, and use the temperature difference to conclude how good the bed is at regulating temperature. We consider anything under 10 degrees to be good cooling, and anything under 6 degrees to be great cooling. If you are testing a mattress yourself, laying on it for a few moments and seeing if it still feels cool is a good measure of cooling, as is the mattress being cool to the touch.
Firmness
The firmness of your mattress refers almost directly to how the mattress will feel when you lay on it. If you are looking for a luxurious, plush hotel feel, then a softer mattress might be the best for you. If you are looking for something firmer, there are also a lot of options available for that. Firmness is important both for the comfort and feel of your bed, but also for the level of support and contouring. If you need or prefer more support when you sleep, or you are a stomach sleeper, we recommend looking for a more firm mattress. If you prefer something more plush, where you feel hugged by the mattress, or you are a back or side sleeper, we suggest something softer.
We test all the mattresses we review for their firmness by laying on the bed in various positions. After doing this we assign a firmness level to the mattress using our expertly developed firmness scale, which ranks mattresses on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most firm. Using this scale can help you find a mattress that meets your needs and wants.
Sleeping Position
Sleeping position matters when considering particularly the firmness of your mattress, as based on how you sleep you will need various levels of support and contouring. A lot of hotel mattresses have medium-firm feels since that firmness level works for a variety of people. Here’s a more specific rundown of the different sleeping positions and what we recommend.
We tested all of the mattresses in this list with each sleeping position in mind. As you can see below, we lay on every mattress we review in each position to consider if that mattress would be a good fit for those sleepers. We consider firmness, comfort, contouring, and support when testing for sleeping position.
- Back sleepers: These sleepers need a nice combination of pressure relief and support. That way they can have relief around their lumbar region while their spine is also in alignment. They usually do best on hybrid or innerspring mattresses with a medium-firm feel.
- Side sleepers: Side sleepers need some cushioning and sinkage around their hips and shoulders to prevent pain and promote spinal alignment. They tend to do well on memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses with a soft feel.
- Stomach sleepers: These sleepers will want a firm bed, so their hips can be lifted up to be in line with their shoulders — ultimately ensuring healthy sleep posture. We recommend they look for innerspring or hybrid mattresses with a firm feel.
- Combination sleepers: These are sleepers who switch between two or more sleeping positions at night. They typically want a responsive and supportive mattress, so they can easily move around on top of the bed and change positions. We suggest they look for latex, hybrid, and innerspring mattresses with a medium-firm feel or whatever firmness level suits their primary sleep position best.
Motion Isolation
If you are looking for a hotel mattress, then you are certainly looking for a good night, vacation style, sleep. One thing this does not include is waking up from motion in the bed. Motion isolation refers to the ability of a bed to isolate motion in one place, and not transfer movement across the mattress. This is especially important for couples, light sleepers, or people who share a bed with kids or pets. If you wake up easily, or share a bed, then low motion transfer, or good motion isolation, is important to getting good rest.
We test the mattresses we review for motion isolation by dropping a ball from various heights to mimic different movements in bed and measuring the amount of motion transfer using a seismograph machine. The waves on the reading indicate how good the motion isolation is, with smaller waves indicating better motion isolation.
Pressure Relief
When looking for sleep you have on vacation, one of your priorities should be pressure relief. Pressure relief refers to the amount of pressure that is alleviated on various parts of the body when sleeping in a bed. Pressure relief is important both for alleviating pre-existing pain and preventing pain from sleeping. Pressure relief affects the comfort of your mattress, and if you feel a lot of pressure buildup when lying in bed, you may have a harder time getting comfortable, staying comfortable, and falling asleep.
To test our mattresses for pressure relief, we lay on a pressure mat that uses thermal imaging to create a pressure map, much like the one pictured above. This map shows where pressure is relieved across the body when our testers are lying on a mattress. Blue and green show areas where a lot of pressure is alleviated, meaning good pressure relief properties exist in a certain mattress. Red and yellow are places where pressure is not relieved well. We use these results to find the best and most relieving mattress for stomach sleepers so you can be comfortable all night.
Edge Support and Durability
Edge support is crucial for hotel mattresses, as a bed with strong edges can feel larger. Strong edges can also make it easier to get in and out of bed, and more comfortable throughout the evening. Edge support can also be important for durability, as stronger edges help to prevent premature sagging. To test for edge support, we apply pressure to the edges of the mattresses and see how much pressure is required to make the edges sag. The more pressure required to push down the edges, the stronger the edge support of the mattress.
Other Important Things to Consider in the Best Hotel Mattress
Body Types
We categorize lightweight sleepers as weighing less than 130 pounds, average weight sleepers as weighing between 130 and 250 pounds, and heavy sleepers as weighing more than 250 pounds. Beds are usually going to feel firmer to lightweight sleepers than they do heavyweight sleepers. If you’re heavier in weight, you’re also going to need more support from a bed. We typically recommend heavier sleepers look for an innerspring mattress or one that was designed with them in mind. Check out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people to see some great options.
Mattress Price
How much a mattress costs can be a really important factor when deciding on the right one. At Sleepopolis, we refer to the following pricing categories (for a queen size mattress):
- Cheap: <$1,000
- Budget: $1,000 to $1,500
- Average: $1,500 to $2,000
- Luxury: >$2,000
Looking at the beds featured on this list, the average price of a hotel mattress in a queen size is $2,102. A lot of hotel mattresses come with luxury price tags, but not all of them. Depending on your personal sleep needs, you may find yourself wanting to spend more or less than that. If you’re looking for a great bed at a lower price, check out our best cheap mattress roundup or our best mattresses for the money roundup. You can also learn more about the key differences between cheap and expensive mattresses in our guide here.
Buying Online vs. In-Store
There are pros and cons to shopping online and in-store. Shopping in person allows you to try the mattress before you commit to buying it and also allows you to see and feel the bed. However, shopping online is far more convenient, and can often be cheaper, as online exclusive deals are often available. If you opt for buying online, we recommend being sure the company offers you a sleep trial, where you can return the mattress if you do not like it, and suggest checking on the shipping and delivery policies of the bed.
If you are buying a hotel mattress, you may be looking for a luxurious sleep experience, and having to set up the bed by yourself may not be apart of that. Looking into the policies of the retailer you are buying from in terms of delivery can help you avoid surprises when your mattress arrives.
FAQs
What kind of mattresses do 5-star hotels use?
You’re most likely to find hybrid mattresses or innerspring mattresses in 5-star hotels. That’s because these beds are supportive, comfortable, and tend to offer a firmness level that can cater to multiple sleeping positions and body types. Many hotels, including the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, have mattress brands make customized beds exclusively for their rooms.
What’s the best hotel mattress?
We picked the Saatva Classic as our best overall since it’s high-quality, comes in three different firmness levels, and offers a traditional feel. But ultimately, it comes down to your personal sleep position, body type, and preference. Although upscale hotels tend to feature innerspring or hybrid mattresses with medium-firm feels, they’re not going to work for all sleepers.
Why are hotel mattresses so comfortable?
Hotel mattresses tend to feature high-quality materials and a balance of comfort and support. Some hotels will add a mattress topper to them as well for even more plushness. These beds can also feel extra comfortable due to sleepers feeling more tired than usual from traveling or them not having the right mattress for their body type and sleep position at home.
What mattress brand is used in luxury hotels?
It varies from hotel to hotel. For example, the Ritz-Carlton features mattresses designed by Stearns & Foster, while several boutique hotels use Saatva mattresses.
What firmness of mattress do most hotels use?
Many upscale hotels use medium-firm and hybrid mattresses since they can work for multiple sleeping positions and body types.
How We Chose Our Mattresses
Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.
For the mattresses on this page, we considered their materials, height, price, durability, whether or not they’re featured in high-end hotels, what types of sleepers they would work for, and more. Click here to learn more about our methodology.
Recap: The Best Hotel Mattresses
| Mattress | Best For | Price (Queen) | Coupon | Review |
| Saatva | Best Overall | $1,995 | Saatva Coupon | Read Our Review |
| DreamCloud Premier | Luxury | $1,832 | DreamCloud Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nectar Hybrid | Couples | $1,199 | Nectar Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | Combo Sleepers | $2,373 | Helix Coupon | Read Our Review |
| WinkBed Plus | Heavy Sleepers | $1,999 | WinkBeds Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Customizable | $2,499 | Nolah Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Bear Elite Hybrid | Athletes | $2,111 | Bear Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Titan Plus by Brooklyn Bedding | Back Sleepers | $1,249 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe | Soft | $2,265 | Brooklyn Bedding Coupon | Read Our Review |
| Birch Luxe Natural | Organic | $3,123 | Birch Coupon | Read Our Review |
Bridget Chapman
Senior Product Editor
About Author
Bridget is a Certified Sleep Science Coach and senior editor here at Sleepopolis. From testing mattresses to writing about various sleep health topics, her goal is to help you get a good night’s sleep. You can also find her in videos on our YouTube channel. Bridget graduated magna cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Before joining the Sleepopolis team, she was a TV news reporter and worked in cities across the country. She loves spending time outdoors, checking out new restaurants, snuggling with her pets, and of course — getting some quality Zzz’s.
Combination Sleeper