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How to choose the right hotel pillows for your guests

Providing the right pillows for guests is essential to ensure their comfort and satisfaction through their stay. . A survey from the National Sleep Foundation revealed that 91% of people consider pillows to be important for a good night’s sleep. And, with sleep quality being heavily linked to guest satisfaction, hotels cannot afford to overlook this essential part of their offering. 

Here, we share key considerations when buying or updating hotel pillows and making the right choices for your guests, business and budget.

Why is it important to offer different pillow types?

Choosing the best pillow for sleep quality is no easy task, especially when personal preferences can vary between each guest, and factors like sleeping positions and allergens must be taken into account. 

If your budget allows, offer a few different options for your guests. While you might have a certain type of pillow as standard in your guestrooms, it can help to have a few alternatives on hand to cater for customers with specific requests and requirements. 

Key considerations to make your decision

When shopping for your perfect hotel pillow, it’s important to be mindful of the following factors. 

Natural vs synthetic filling

Firmness 

Firmness levels are largely led by personal preference, and often, sleeping position. Pillows come in various weights—the heavier they are, the firmer they feel.

If you can, it’s a good idea to provide your guests with some options. Providing a firm pillow and a soft pillow for each guest allows them to order them however they find most comfortable, or decide to opt for one or the other if they prefer a flatter sleeping position.

Quality

The quality of pillow hotel  guests will expect from you also largely depends on what type of hotel you are. While guests of a five star hotel might expect high-end pillow brands with high-quality, natural fillings, a budget or chain hotel usually provides each guest with a couple of synthetic-filled options to cater for a wide audience.

Some luxury hotels have started providing guests with pillow menus so they can pick their preferred combinations, but this range of choice wouldn’t be expected from a hotel offering rooms at a lower price point.

Hypoallergenic

Dust mites and bacteria can accumulate in pillows over time, particularly in more tightly packed, synthetic materials, which can cause itching, sneezing and discomfort for allergy sufferers. Where you can, opt for hypoallergenic pillows to ensure that all guests can get a comfortable and peaceful night’s sleep. 

While down and feather pillows used in hotels  are hypoallergenic, you don’t have to opt for the pricier natural materials to get this guarantee. Our Brooklands pillow, for example, is a great down alternative hotel pillow, filled with soft and silky hypoallergenic siliconised fibres and wrapped in beautifully soft cotton.

Sustainability

Sustainability is increasingly becoming a factor in buying decisions across the hospitality sector, with many customers wanting to see businesses making climate conscious choices. The bedding and amenities your hotel provides are no exception. 

Typically, pillows at the higher end of the pricing scale will be more durable and longer lasting, requiring less frequent replacements. This reduces the volume of redundant items being sent to landfill as well as the need for new products to be manufactured

There are also innovative options on the market that are made from recycled materials that tick the boxes on comfort and climate. Our Ashton pillow, for example, uses broken down plastic PET bottles to create its smooth and sumptuously soft microfibre filling.

Maintenance and lifespan of hotel pillows

Hotel pillows last longer if maintenance and care instructions are followed. Consider: 

• Everyday care - Ensure housekeeping staff fluff out guest pillows when making up the bed so they maintain good filling distribution throughout.

• Pillow protectors - Using a good quality pillow protector also helps to prolong lifespan, ensuring the pillow itself stays bright and clean.

• Washing - Some pillows require spot cleaning only, while others are machine washable and dryable. It’s important to closely follow the instructions given on the care label to ensure longevity. 

• Replacements - Replace hotel pillows periodically to maintain cleanliness, quality, and comfort. Best practice suggests that hotel pillows should be refreshed every two years. However, if you notice that your pillows are flat and harder to fluff up, it’s generally a good indicator that new ones are needed. 

Related accessories to consider

Once you’ve chosen your hotel pillows, it’s time to pick out a complimentary duvet and other bedding accessories, including the pillowcases, duvet cover, fitted or loose mattress sheet, and protective covers. 

Match the filling and quality of your pillows with your duvet and the rest of your bedding set. If you choose luxury hotel pillows, select high-quality bedding with a high thread count. Cotton is ideal if you’ve chosen feather pillow fillings as it can prevent the feathers poking through the surface. 

Microfibre is an excellent all-rounder for a lower budget; it’s hypoallergenic, soft, and smooth to the touch. Similarly, polycotton is good value for money, as it washes well and stands the test of time. 

Choosing the best options for you

To help you navigate our vast range of hotel bedding products, at Star Linen we have categorised products into four main groups so you can easily find the products that work for your aesthetic and budget. These are: 

• Boutique - Look for the grey spiral shape, signalling the height of luxury. These products are soft, silky and sumptuous and the ideal choice for high end establishments. 

• Elements - The pink spiral marks our essentials range, offering great quality at an affordable price point. 

• Star - Marked by the yellow spiral, these are our best selling core products, guaranteed to deliver quality.

• Eco - The green spiral denotes our environmentally friendly product range. They offer the same quality and comfort without costing the earth.

Take a look and shop our full range of hotel pillows here.

Still not sure which pillows hotel guests will prefer? Take a look at our buying guide or get in touch with a member of our friendly team to chat through your requirements and budget - they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. 

FAQs

What pillows do hotels use?

It usually depends on their offering and budget. While luxury hotels might opt for natural fillings or top-of-the-range synthetic alternatives, budget models usually go for affordable crowd-pleasers. Regardless of type, however, hotels usually purchase pillows from reputable commercial hotel-grade linen manufacturers to ensure value and longevity.

What is the difference between a hotel pillow and a regular pillow?

Hotel pillows are usually thicker and more sumptuous than regular pillows, designed to offer ultimate comfort and withstand frequent use. They’re also regularly maintained by housekeeping and typically replaced more regularly than domestic pillows.

Interestingly, however, we’re seeing an uptake in consumers aiming to replicate a luxurious hotel sleep experience, and seeking soft pillows like hotels provide and other hotel-style bedding for their domestic sleep setting.

Where can I buy hotel pillows?

For quality bedding that stands the test of time, source your hotel pillows from an established manufacturer that specialises in the hospitality industry. At Star Linen, our products are specifically designed for a hotel setting and created with our ‘Star Mission’ in mind: To ensure the world sleeps better, dines better and enjoys greater comfort by enhancing our customers’ experience.