What Are The Best Pillows For Short Term Rental Beds
Beds beds beds! The most important ingredient for a short term rental. You have the mattress. You have the bed frame. You have the bedsheets. Now to complete the whole bed, we need to add pillows. It is the soft welcoming spot for your head after a long day of travel or leisure. It is very important to pick the right pillows for a good night’s sleep. If you pick a bad one, your guests might complain of neck strain and pain. They will be sure to let you know their displeasure in the reviews! From our experience, the biggest factor when it comes to buying pillows is your budget.
Your guests’ preferences will probably be very varied. You have to pick pillows that will suit most people based on your budget. Let us look at how to buy pillows for your Airbnb.
First, let us understand the materials that pillows are filled with.
- Down-filled pillows are the fluffiest and most expensive. They are usually what you find in high-end hotels. Your guests will thank you if you get these but they tend to be out of most people’s budgets. A combination of down and feathers will be cheaper while still feeling fluffy. Down-alternative pillows are made of synthetic materials like polyester to mimic characteristics of down pillows.
- Synthetic fill pillows are cheaper than pure down pillows. They still feel soft while offering enough support and resistance for a comfortable sleep. They are also called polyfill or microfiber filled pillows.
- Memory foam pillows are thick and firm. They retain the shape of the neck and head. They retain heat making the pillow feel warmer. They do come with cooling pads and moisture absorbers to dissipate the heat.
- Latex Pillows are made of either natural or synthetic latex. They are softer and more breathable than memory foam. They are a little heavier though but are very affordable.
- Feather pillows are similar to down pillows at a comfort level. They are comfortable but have some drawbacks. They might give off an unpleasant odor and will require constant fluffing and molding.
- Innerspring Pillows: These ones have a core of steel springs covered in memory foam or polyester. They remain cool and are responsive to you any sleeping position you prefer due to that steel spring core. They are on the expensive end of the spectrum.
Recommendations from Amazon:
Dream Rite Memory Foam Pillow: For around $25, you can find this set of pillows which is made of 80% memory foam and 20% polyester fiber. The memory foam ensures that the sleeper does not have to worry about aches and pains. You can adjust the pillow firmness and softness by changing the amount of foam filling. The pillow is designed to be hypoallergenic. It comes with a 1-year warranty against defects.
Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow: For a little more money you can pick up this gel pillow. These have a cotton cover and poly gel fiber filling. The pillows are dust mite, mold and mildew resistant. They are completely allergen and chemical-free. They are fade and stain-resistant. Most importantly they come with a 30-day guarantee. If you don’t like the pillow you can return it for a full refund.
Puredown Natural Goose Down Feather White Pillow Inserts: This pillow set is made of 85% goose feather and 15% goose down. They mold easily to the shape of the head, neck, and shoulders. They are natural, recyclable and environment-friendly. They are gilled with 32 ounces of feather down. The double-layered cotton shell prevents any feathers from pricking the outside of the pillow. The pillow follows the Responsible Down Standard and is certified by Oxipower.
Coop Home Goods Premium Adjustable Loft Pillow: If you have the budget you can pick up this adjustable pillow. It too is made with a mix of memory foam and microfiber. The pillowcase is made of Lulltra fabric which is a blend of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester that makes it breathable and soft. This one too is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. The pillow comes with a 100 nights return guarantee and a 5-year warranty.
Precautions to take:
Adjustable pillows can be a good investment but then you have to monitor where the guests put the extra filling that they take out. As long as you provide storage for the leftover filling, getting an adjustable pillow makes sense. It is a good idea to find pillows with return guarantees. That way, if the pillow is not what you expected you can always return it to try another one. Make sure to get machine-washable pillows so that they are easy to maintain. The pillows should be hypoallergenic. If you have guests with allergies they will thank you for providing a pillow that doesn’t trigger their allergies.
Be sure to get pillow covers and protectors as they are essential to maintain your pillow’s life and your health. They prevent dust mites, dander, sweat, bed bugs, and other contaminants from entering your pillow. They have many varieties of fabric options like waterproofing, sensitive skin protection, warming or cooling, moisture-wicking, odor control and more. They also let you give your room and bed some character if you pick something up with an eye-catching design.
About pillow firmness levels, pick a medium to medium-firm pillow firmness level. That would make the pillow perfect for many different types of sleepers.
If you can afford it, have an option for different pillows. Some guests might complain that the pillows are too firm or too soft or too thin or too thick. Having backup options to please a difficult guest can avoid a negative review.
Make sure the pillow has seams that are tightly woven. Feathers or fibers should not be sticking out of the sides. If they are, the pillow is due for replacement.
If you are using older pillows that you may have lying around the house, then you might need to replace them. If the pillow no longer springs back to its original shape when compressed, then you know for sure that it has grown old and needs to be replaced. Old pillows offer no resistance and hence give no support to the neck.
Happy sleeping,
Scooch and Steve
