Pillows can make or break a good night’s sleep. That’s why many hotel guests lug their favorite pillows in the car, on a train, or even in an airplane—anything to ensure a comfortable rest. Intentional, guest-centric pillow purchasing can ensure that repeat customers feel no need to “BYO Pillow.” 

Our hotel pillow buying guide below will help you balance your guests’ needs with your hotel’s as you shop for pillows that will deliver restful sleep. 

1. Consider Different Types of Sleepers

According to the Sleep Foundation, adults sleep on their backs 38% of the time, on their sides 54% of the time, and on their stomachs 7% of the time. Different sleeping positions require different support. Consider the needs of all hotel sleepers to ensure every guest has an enjoyable stay. 

• Back sleepers benefit from a slimmer pillow with enough support to cradle their heads. Soft pillows work here, too.
• Side sleepers typically need multiple pillows—a thick pillow or multiple slimmer pillows to go under their heads and a pillow to put between their knees as they sleep. The Venus Superside Sleep Pillow caters to side sleepers with its curved corner design and Memorelle fiber fill, which is similar to memory foam.
• Stomach sleepers often forgo a pillow or prefer the slimmest pillow possible to reduce strain on their neck. 

Bear in mind that even if the room includes a desk or table, many guests will choose to eat, read, and work on their laptops in bed. Offering extra pillows on the bed—or even just in the room closet—can help these guests achieve a more ergonomic position. 

2. Offer Different Fill Options

High-end hotels typically default to down pillows because they’re luxurious, soft, supportive, and comfortable. However, not every guest can tolerate the allergens. So, even if you go with down-filled pillows for every room, you still need to keep hypoallergenic or down-alternative pillows on hand for guests with allergies. 

Non-down pillows feature a variety of fills, such as foam, gel, polyester, or down-alternative. Down-alternative pillows mimic the softness and feel of down without the allergen concerns. For example, our Ultra Down Corded Down Alternative Pillow delivers a down-like feel guests will love. Memory foam pillows offer excellent head and neck support to guests. Polyester fill pillows are often more affordable, blending comfort and value. 

3. Stock Up on the Right Sizes

Pillows come in multiple sizes to best fit different bed sizes. To create consistency between your rooms, look for a pillow that is available in varying sizes. That way, your guests know that whether they’re in a room with two queen beds or in a room with a king, they can look forward to the same comfortable pillows. 

Consider the Venus Ultra Plush Pillow, available in three sizes. Offering a balance of light softness and support, this pillow provides the ultimate comfort to all sleepers. Plus, its micro denier blown gel fiber is hypoallergenic. 

Sizes include: 

• Standard: 20 x 26 in. 
• Queen: 20 x 30 in. 
• King: 20 x 36 in. 

4. Prioritize Durability

If your main goal is longevity, down is a safe bet. According to a representative from Hilton Worldwide, synthetic pillows (such as foam or down-alternative pillows) last 18 to 24 months. Comparatively, down pillows last two to three years.

However, well-made pillows last longer than those made poorly, regardless of fill type. Look for hospitality-grade pillows with high-quality stitching, a machine-washable rating, and good reviews. 

5. Evaluate Cost

Pillow costs vary, depending on the size, quality, fill type, and other factors. Generally, down pillows cost more than down alternative pillows. However, since down pillows also tend to last longer, the price per use can be on par with or lower than down-alternative pillows. 

And remember, whether you choose down or down-alternative pillows for your hotel, buying cheaper low-quality pillows might feel like a good way to save money on this year’s budget, but it can end up being a costly mistake if you need to repurchase pillows more frequently. 

6. Choose the Right Pillow Protectors & Cases

Outfit all hotel pillows with pillow protectors and pillowcases to provide guests with a hygienic and comfortable stay. Plus, they’ll extend the life of your carefully chosen pillows. 

Pillow protectors protect pillows from bed bugs, dust mites, hair, sweat stains, accidental spills, and more. High-quality pillow protectors, such as the HealthySleep Supreme Pillow Protector, completely encase a pillow. They’re waterproof yet breathable, bed bug proof, allergen resistant, and virus-blocking. Purchase protectors in the proper size for your pillow to avoid interfering with the pillow’s shape and firmness.

Pillowcases are the pillow’s outer layer. They make pillows look nicer and feel nicer too. While 100 percent cotton is a common choice, it’s not always the best one. Our Performance Twill Luxury Pillowcases offer a 70/30 cotton-rich blend that lasts four times longer than a typical 100 percent cotton fabrication and can withstand 200 industrial launderings. Plus, they’re available in Standard, Queen, and King to fit all your pillows. 

Turn to Venus for Your Hotel Pillows

Venus offers everything you need to outfit your hotel room in comfort and value, including pillows that will please every guest. Ready to upgrade your hotel’s pillows in the new year? Speak to a textile expert today at 800.421.6599 or email us at sales@venusgroup.com.