Hotel reputations hinge on the guest experience and, in an intensely competitive marketplace, one little hiccup can make the difference between a happy customer and one who leaves a bad review… particularly where sleep is concerned.
Ensuring that the hotel room beds are not only fit for purpose but also stack up against those of your competitors is advisable if you’re to avoid drawing negative comparisons over time.
When considering contract hotel beds, bear in mind that the majority of such businesses use hybrid mattresses or medium-firm innerspring products, registering around 6.5 out of ten on the firmness scale.
It can be difficult to keep everyone happy when it comes to mattress softness, so aiming for a middle ground hedges your bets, supporting back and side sleepers without drawing complaints about the bed either being too hard or too soft.
Traditional innerspring or hybrid coils are also favoured among hoteliers, as they deliver excellent airflow, durability and edge support, withstanding heavy use over time.
Are there commercial fire safety standards for hotel beds?
One key concern to bear in mind with hotel bed investment is that you will likely need to make sure that they’re fully compliant with all relevant fire safety regulations.
Standards to be aware of that may apply to you include:
- Crib 5 (Ignition Source 5/BS 6807), a flame retardancy test for commercial hospitality environments, ensuring that materials can self-extinguish quickly
- BS 7177, the categorisation of mattresses and upholstered bed bases for medium-hazard commercial sites such as hotels and B&Bs
- BS EN 597-1/597-2, both of which are standard tests for fire resistance
Use of domestic-grade beds and mattresses must be avoided, as these are only tested for low-hazard home use and will not deliver the required flame resistance.
If you do go down this route, note that you may be in violation of commercial fire safety laws, potentially putting guests and risk and invalidating your insurance policies.
What beds do five-star hotels use?
Providing a premium experience will help you build a loyal customer base, so looking to see what high-end hotels do is always advisable.
Where beds are concerned, a medium-firm hybrid or pocket-sprung mattress will serve you well, but also pay close attention to the optional extras, including mattress pads, memory foam or feather bed toppers and high thread count bedsheets.
For more in-depth inspiration, look to Westin Hotel & Resorts for ideas.
This brand is renowned for its Sleep Well philosophy, which includes gel-infused energy diffusion support foams, ice cooling technology, hypoallergenic bedding and even an in-room dining experience that includes sleep-enhanced superfoods.
Of course, the most important part of a good night’s sleep is the bed, but you can facilitate excellent rest by making your guest feel special, looked after and properly spoiled… so don’t neglect sleep hygiene practices across the rest of your general hotel experience.