Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Airbnb
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A bad mattress can kill your vacation rental reviews. This may seem like an extreme statement, but think about it – you are scrolling through Airbnb looking for your next vacation rental and you see a review from a guest about a poor nights sleep. Are you going to select this one, or keep on looking?
In this blog post, we'll cover what you should be thinking about when choosing a mattress for your Airbnb, and show you some solid picks for your vacation rental properties.
The significance of a good night's sleep during a vacation cannot be overstated. Guests seek relaxation and rejuvenation, and a comfortable mattress plays a pivotal role in delivering just that. A restful sleep allows them to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy their vacation to the fullest. A bad night’s sleep can taint their view of the entire stay, no matter how many other beautiful amenities you offer.
As part of my effort to always be improving the vacation rentals that I furnish, I regularly check on Airbnb reviews for properties I have furnished to sneak a peek at the reviews and see what the feedback is. Below is a selection of actual guest comments on Airbnb about the comfort of the beds and sleep quality, BY FAR, the most frequent topic to appear in the reviews when it comes to the furnishing:
We really appreciated the quiet A/C units and ultra-comfy mattresses.
The beds are very comfortable and the air conditioning in the rooms are top notch.
Very comfortable beds and airs worked super well
I live in Panama, Central America, where we have two temperatures year round - Hot and Dry, or Hot and Humid. Air Conditioning is critical here, especially for the many snowbirds who travel in from the US and Canada during the winter, and aren’t quite accustomed to the heat, (which is why everyone is commenting on the Air Conditioning, but more on that in a future post!)
HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU SPEND?
Value over Cost
You don’t have to spend a fortune for a TempurPedic to get a mattress with ‘Wow’ factor, although I confess that one of my all-time favorite vacation rental stays had one, and it was absolute heaven. If there is one area that you are going to splurge a little, a mattress is one of those key pieces where it is worth the few extra dollars.
I strongly believe that it is a false economy to buy the cheapest mattress because “it’s just a rental property”.
My philosophy is that you should buy the best value for money mattress for your vacation rental, to strike the right balance between cost and comfort. Just one negative review about a bad mattress or a poor night’s sleep has the potential to affect repeat bookings; turn off potential guests looking to book their next vacation rental; and undermine all the other hard work you have done to make your vacation rental property a winner.
Depending on when you are shopping, look for deals on top quality mattresses. If you can, hold out until Black Friday or other popular sale times, when manufacturers will put BIG discounts on some of these high ticket items to stretch your dollar further.
HOW FIRM SHOULD A RENTAL MATTRESS BE?
My immediate answer without hesitation is Medium Firm, and I’ll tell you why.
Firstly, just like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, the one in the middle is an ideal compromise for different guest preferences. Some guests may prefer a softer mattress, while others may lean towards a firmer surface. Medium firmness strikes a balance, ensuring that a majority of your guests will find the mattress comfortable and accommodating.
.Secondly, medium firmness provides proper support for various sleeping positions. Whether your guests sleep on their back, side, or stomach, a medium firm mattress offers the necessary support to maintain spinal alignment and promote a restful sleep. This adaptability ensures that all guests can enjoy a comfortable night's sleep regardless of their preferred sleeping position, and is especially important for guests who may have pre-existing back issues or are prone to discomfort.
Look for a Medium Firm Euro Top for a balance between firm support and cushioned layers, a Plush Pillow Top will be a little more soft and squidgy to lay on with support underneath. For my projects in Panama, I also look for mattresses that have materials and design that are better in hot climates, like this one.
But wait, you say….
I will also be using my vacation rental for my own enjoyment, and I like a really firm mattress, what about me?!?
Don’t panic, I’ve got a solution for you, so you can satisfy more guests and have a good nights sleep too!
My advice would be that if you are going to put a firm mattress in your property, make sure to have a REALLY good quality and cushioned mattress pad for your guests. You can check out my blog on mattress pads for some good recommendations, but here’s one of my super plush regular go-to mattress pads for deep pocket mattresses up to 21”, or a memory foam topper if you prefer that alternative.
This way, you can still enjoy your ultra firm mattress when you are using your own property, and keep guests happy who prefer a little more of a softer, pillowy mattress.
MEMORY FOAM MATTRESSES
Pro’s and Con’s
Memory foam mattresses have gained popularity in the bedding industry, but they come with both pros and cons when considering them for vacation rental properties.
On the positive side, memory foam mattresses offer exceptional pressure point relief, conforming to the body's contours and providing a customized sleeping experience. This can be particularly appealing to guests seeking a plush and cozy feel during their stay. Moreover, memory foam mattresses excel at isolating motion, reducing disruptions caused by restless sleepers or shared beds.
However, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider. Memory foam has a reputation for retaining heat, which might be a concern in warmer climates or during hot summer months. Additionally, some guests may find memory foam mattresses too soft or lacking in support, especially those who prefer a firmer sleeping surface. It's essential to strike a balance by selecting memory foam mattresses with cooling technologies or hybrid designs that incorporate supportive layers.
By considering the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether memory foam mattresses are the right fit for your vacation rental property.
Mattress Color?
Aren’t they all white?
The days of mattresses being white, white or white are long gone. These days, many manufacturers have options of color for your mattress, with black and grey being popular. And I’m a fan!
Let’s be honest - mattresses get stained for a variety of reasons, that’s just life. But, it’s also not really something you want your guests to have to think about. A darker color mattress is going to be a little easier to disguise some of those unsightly stains that might give guests the ‘ick’ factor.
Same goes for mattress protectors - you can find them in black, blue, green, grey - not just white. I found a mattress protector online which has the option of lavender - maybe not my personal preference, but I’m sure there is someone out there who would be delighted with it!
So, give some consideration to making a non-traditional choice for your mattress or mattress protector and whether buying a darker color could have benefits for your short term rental.
3 Medium Firm Mattress Choices
That You Can Buy Online
I’ve researched a shortlist of 3 Medium Firm mattresses that would be good choices for an Airbnb rental bedroom, all of which you can buy online if you don’t fancy trolling around the stores and trying them out yourself:
Economic Choice (under $500 USD) - The Zinus Green Tea Cooling Swirl Memory Foam Hybrid mattress gets consistently good reviews for it’s price point, and was named by The New York Times as it’s number one choice for a mattress under $500 USD. They cited it’s balance of support and springiness, positive motion isolation, and edge support as the reason for awarding it with Number 1 spot. It does also come with 3 different height options - 10”, 12” and 14”. Plus the manufacturer offers a 100-night free trial period!
Mid-Range Choice (approx $1000USD) - The DreamCloud Premier is a 14” mattress with a 1” plush EuroTop is a mid-value mattress choice that scores very well in reviews. It is delivered in a box, so it requires 24 hours before it can be used, and amazingly it’s comes with a 365 day trial, and a LIFETIME warranty, so you do get some extra protections for your investment.
Memory Foam - The Nectar Hybrid Memory Foam mattress gets lots of votes as a general all rounder, which also advertises a 365 day sleep trial. There are more economic choices, but Memory Foam mattresses are not everyone’s cup of tea, so if you are committing to a memory foam mattress, it’s worth investing in one of good quality.
Investing in a comfortable mattresses is one of those areas where it makes sense to spend a little extra to get something that your guests will love, as a Good or Bad nights sleep is likely to show up in reviews. Remember, a medium firm mattress is an ideal compromise for various guest preferences, or have a very good quality mattress topper to soften up a firm mattress.
