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Mattress guide
Mattress guide
What makes a good mattress?
High-quality mattresses are characterized by good point elasticity. Point elasticity describes the adaptability of the mattress and is an important criterion for lying comfort. A mattress should adapt to the guest in every sleeping position. To achieve this, heavier body parts such as hips or shoulders must be able to sink deeper into the mattress without sagging. A high-quality hotel mattress must offer perfect support despite different body sizes and shapes. The lower the quality of a mattress, the lower the point elasticity. The result: poorer sleeping comfort and tension. Although mattresses with surface elasticity, such as Bonnell mattresses, offer basic relief for some body zones, these mattresses do not adapt as well to the contours of the body.
For optimum point elasticity, mattresses are often made up of different firmness zones. The different loads on the individual parts of the body can thus be perfectly absorbed. The result is an ergonomic lying position. The perfect pressure relief ensures relaxation of the shoulders, back, spine and intervertebral discs.
Each individual zone takes the body structure into account. The zones for the shoulders and pelvis must be able to withstand the greatest loads and therefore give way. The thigh and lumbar zones, on the other hand, must be supported. This ensures that the spine is in a straight and relieving position during sleep. The basic rule is that the spine must be in a straight position to relieve pressure. This is a prerequisite for healthy sleep and protects against tension or back pain.
What types of mattresses are there?
In recent decades, the materials used for mattresses have developed considerably. The qualities available on the market are adapted to the most diverse demands and requirements in hotels. Most requirements are covered by the most common models: pocket spring core, Bonnell spring core and cold foam.
The type of mattress is defined by the structure of its interior. The core of the mattress can consist of various components. These are encased in different materials such as cotton or fleece and covered and quilted with a firm textile fabric. Mattresses are also fitted with a cover that can be removed for cleaning purposes on all our models.
Bonnell spring core mattresses
Bonnell spring core mattresses consist of a continuous network of hourglass-shaped metal springs inside, which are connected to each other by additional wires. This spring core is encased in foam padding. This can be cold foam or comfort foam. There is air between the springs, which is why the Bonnell mattress is said to be very well ventilated. This ensures a pleasant sleeping climate and prevents excessive perspiration. The lying properties of these mattresses are characterized by a surface-elastic pressure distribution. The fact that the springs are connected to each other means that the mattress yields overall when pressure is applied. This creates the so-called resonance effect. Due to the lower adaptability to the individual body regions, this type of mattress is particularly suitable for light and quiet sleepers. It is also very popular with people who tend to sweat.
Cold foam mattresses
Cold foam mattresses are extremely adaptable thanks to their foam base material. The density of the foam used is determined by its density. The higher the density, the higher the quality of the mattress. In general, a mattress with a density of 35 kg/m³ or more is considered to be of high quality. The comfort properties of such a mattress depend on the resilience of the material and the compression hardness. Due to the open-pored structure of the cold foam, the mattresses are breathable and moisture-permeable. They therefore offer a balanced bed climate. Ventilation channels ensure good air circulation. For an optimal climate, the cover of a cold foam mattress should be quilted with a moisture-wicking material. Cold foam mattresses are the best-known type of foam mattress. A cold foam mattress often contains different lying zones, which provide the necessary support for different parts of the body. The zones can be created in different ways:
- The surface of the cold foam is provided with a cut pattern after foaming, for example the so-called 3D cube cut, to create areas of different firmness. A fine structure also results in a softer zone, while coarser cut patterns create harder lying zones.
- Different foams with different densities are used. For example, individual elements of visco foam are used in the form of slabs in order to realize a certain zoning. Due to their heat-active and pressure-sensitive properties, these components ensure precise body adaptation and improved resilience. This makes particular sense for lying zones in the pelvic and shoulder area, as the corresponding part of the body can sink in better. In addition to visco foam, gel foam, latex or comfort foam are often used. Cold foam mattresses offer a high level of comfort thanks to their shape adaptation. Even when lying in a preferred position for long periods of time, no hollows form. They have a long service life, are considered very hygienic and are suitable for allergy sufferers. Cold foam mattresses also have good thermal properties. Compared to spring mattresses, cold foam mattresses have less air circulation and are more suitable for people who get cold easily at night. The cold foam mattress is also durable and adapts perfectly to the body thanks to its high elasticity. Due to its low weight, the cold foam mattress is also easy to handle.
Pocket spring core mattresses
Pocket spring core mattresses have barrel-shaped metal springs inside, which are sewn into individual fleece pockets. This allows each spring to adapt individually to the load caused by the sleeper's body weight. The spring mattress is considered stable and durable. It also offers excellent support and high point elasticity for the body. Different spring strengths can be used to create different support and lying zones. The number of springs is also decisive for the adaptability of the mattress. The more springs there are, the greater the point elasticity of the mattress. As with all spring mattresses, the core is padded with foam on the outside and finally enclosed by a removable cover. Pocket spring mattresses offer a very good sleeping climate thanks to the air exchange. The cavities between the springs ensure excellent breathability, but offer less heat-insulating properties. Even if the mattresses are generally very durable, the metal springs can still drill through the upholstery over time or the pockets can become wedged together and shift. This risk is particularly high for mattresses made with inferior quality foam. It is therefore particularly important to ensure good quality here.
Box spring mattresses
As the name suggests, the box spring mattress has something to do with the popular box spring beds. However, the name does not mean that it is a mattress specially developed for the box spring bed! The box spring mattress is so named because its similar structure gives it a similar lying sensation to a box spring bed. You can therefore use the mattress in an ordinary frame bed and offer your guests the comfort of a box spring bed. The box spring mattress is characterized by a double spring system. This means that the mattress has two spring cores on top of each other. Box spring mattresses are therefore a special form of spring mattress. Essentially, the structure is similar to that of a conventional pocket spring mattress.
Box spring mattresses are not suitable for adjustable slatted frames. It is also not advisable to use a box spring mattress on the base box of a box spring bed as a mattress. This would lead to an excessively high and uncomfortable access height, but above all the spring core of the base box would lose almost all of its function.
You can find more information about box spring beds in our box spring bed guide.
How do I find the right mattress for my guests?
Of course, a hotel mattress cannot usually be replaced individually for each guest. That's why hotels need real all-rounders. Most people are so-called alternating sleepers. This means that they alternate between sleeping on their back and side. Hotel mattresses should therefore be suitable for all sleep types so that every guest sleeps well.
What firmness level should the mattress have?
In general, it is advisable to choose the firmness level of a mattress based on your body weight to ensure a healthy night's sleep. A distinction is made between soft (H1), medium (H2) and firm (H3). To ensure that the majority of guests can be accommodated comfortably in a hotel, you should choose hotel mattresses that correspond to firmness grades H2 and H3.
The degree of firmness is based on individual sensitivity and the body weight that the mattress has to support. Body size also plays a role here. The aim is to support the spine during sleep so that the muscles and joints are free from tension and pressure points. If the mattress is too soft, it lacks the necessary support - if the mattress is too firm, it lacks body contouring and can lead to pressure points.
The mattress firmness level indicates how much the mattress yields overall. However, the usual hardness grading in the trade is not uniformly standardized. This leads to different specifications from manufacturer to manufacturer. The basic rule of thumb is: the heavier the sleeper, the firmer the mattress should be. Regardless of your individual feelings and body size, you can use the following as a guide:
How big should the mattress be?
The standard size of commercially available mattresses for adults varies between 190 and 220 cm in length and between 80 and 220 cm in width. The thickness of a mattress varies - depending on the type of mattress - between 10 and 25 cm. The following standard sizes are available from us:
- Single Size: 80x200 cm, 90x200 cm, 100x200 cm (WxL)
- Queen Size: 140x200 cm (ExL), 160x200 cm (WxL)
- King Size: 180x200 cm (WxL), 200x200 cm (WxL)
The optimum size of a mattress depends on various factors. First and foremost, of course, should be the comfort of your guests. When staying in a hotel, your guests expect a pleasant sleeping experience. For many, this includes not only a comfortable mattress but also sufficient space. It is therefore advisable to offer your guests queen-size or even king-size beds. This does not mean that the bigger the mattress, the better. To avoid the formation of hollows, it is better to choose two individual mattresses rather than one large, continuous mattress.
What else is there to consider when choosing a hotel mattress?
Handling should also be taken into account when choosing a mattress. It is particularly important to pay attention to the weight of the mattress in order to be able to work quickly and without straining your back in housekeeping. In general, spring core and latex mattresses are heavier than cold foam mattresses. It is particularly advisable to use two individual mattresses for easier handling. Loops or handles on the sides make it easier to move and handle the mattress if necessary.
++Did you know?
You can also order oversized or made-to-measure mattresses from us.
Simply contact our
Care instructions for mattresses
Every person sweats up to 1000 ml per night during sleep. This liquid is largely absorbed by the mattress. To ensure a hygienic sleeping environment, the mattress must absorb this moisture, but also release it again. To achieve this, sufficient air supply from below - i.e. through the slatted frame or box - should be possible.
In the hotel industry, a removable cover that can be cleaned in the washing machine is essential. This is the only way to ensure the required standard of hygiene. Removal should be quick and easy. Frequent washing requires 100% professional quality with high dimensional stability. In addition to the hygienic aspect, regular washing of the mattress cover is also important for allergy sufferers. Living creatures such as house dust mites are everywhere and microscopically small. The mattress should therefore always be kept as clean as possible to prevent the accumulation of dirt, allergens and bacteria.
From a hygiene point of view, it is advisable to wash the cover approx. every 6 months - please follow the care instructions here. Small particles such as hair or crumbs that get under the bed sheet or mattress protector are best removed with the clean furniture nozzle of your vacuum cleaner.
For good sleeping hygiene in the hotel, it can also be useful to equip the mattresses with an additional mattress protector, which reliably absorbs the liquid. This provides the mattress with additional protection against soiling of the lying surface.
In addition to regular washing of the mattress cover, we recommend turning the mattress occasionally. This prolongs the life of the mattress. To avoid one-sided wear and to keep the mattress in shape, you should therefore turn it over from time to time or swap the head and foot ends. In this way, the mattress will wear more evenly and any unevenness caused by lying in the same place for a long time will be evened out.
Info
New mattresses may have a new smell during the first few days of production, which cannot completely escape due to the packaging. This is completely harmless to health and quickly dissipates when the mattress is unpacked and aired.
When should I change my mattresses?
For reasons of hygiene, mattresses in hotel beds should be changed every eight years on average. In the case of inexpensive mattresses, this applies from as early as five years, as the mattresses are usually worn out after this period of use. As soon as a hollow is visible or noticeable, the mattress should be changed immediately. High-quality hotel mattresses can be used for up to ten years with good care. No matter what material your mattress is made of: With good care, the useful life will be extended and the mattress will remain in good condition.
Our tip
Change your hotel mattress every five years to guarantee your guests excellent hygiene. Buying a new one every three years gives you additional points in the star classification.
Which slatted frame is the right one for my hotel bed?
For optimum sleeping comfort and the longest possible service life of your mattresses, we recommend a more stable and firmer slatted frame. The frequent problem of mattresses forming hollows is often caused by an incorrect base - i.e. slatted frame. If this is too soft, it can easily happen that the mattress wears out and deforms much more quickly. If you want to enjoy your mattress for a long time, in addition to the quality of the mattress, make sure that the slatted base is suitable and as stable as possible. An adjustable slatted base with plastic sliders to adjust the firmness is ideal.
How can I add extra value to my hotel bed?
To offer your guests a particularly restful night's sleep, we recommend upgrading your mattress with an additional topper. This has two advantages: on the one hand, a topper provides a very comfortable sleeping experience, even with firm mattresses, by ergonomically supporting the body. On the other hand, a topper also serves as protection for the mattress and ensures even better hygiene thanks to its easy washability. A topper also protects the mattress.
What types of toppers are there?
- The simplest toppers are very thin and resemble ordinary comforters. Although these toppers have a certain protective function for the mattress, they have no direct effect on the sleeping comfort of your guests.
- Topper made of cold foam or comfort foam: These materials offer a soft sink-in effect on the surface and good pressure relief in depth. Their open porosity ensures good air circulation.
- Topper made of visco foam: The shape memory foam adapts individually to the body when warm, providing pressure-relieving sleeping comfort, especially for the spine, and promotes blood circulation. This topper is suitable for house dust mite allergy sufferers and guarantees a high standard of hygiene.
- Gel foam topper: In contrast to visco foam, gel foam does not react to heat, but adapts to the contours of the body through pressure. The advantage: gel foam adapts more quickly to changing sleeping positions.
- Latex topper: Latex also provides a very soft, pressure-relieving lying sensation. Latex toppers have very good point elasticity. The topper is relatively heavy and offers only mediocre climate properties. It is therefore less suitable for use in the hotel industry.
- Pocket spring core topper: These toppers are a high-class form of topper. These toppers are similar in structure to a pocket spring mattress, but are not quite as high. A mini barrel pocket spring core is built into the approx. 9 cm high topper, which is encased in foam. This topper also has good point-elastic properties and very good air circulation.
Our tip
Fulfill individual requirements for lying comfort in the hotel by changing the topper.
Overview: These materials are used for mattresses
Cold foam
Cold foam is a high-quality PUR foam that is cast in blocks and hardens at low temperatures (below 100°C). This is where the characteristic name comes from. Once the block foam has completely hardened, it is compressed by rolling and the pores are opened in this way. This process is also known as "crushing". The result is an open, uneven cell structure, which results in high point elasticity, ensures an even distribution of firmness and is particularly breathable. The material is comparatively light and pleasant to handle. Furthermore, it can store heat well due to its fairly dense structure and as a result always feels pleasantly warm. High breathability, excellent moisture regulation and particularly high point elasticity make cold foam an advantageous material for the production of mattresses.
Comfort foam
Like cold foam, comfort foam is made from PUR foam and is characterized by its high resilience. The material is first foamed and then hardens with the help of heat. The open-pored structure is created during the foaming process. The uniformity and firmness of comfort foam are less easily determined by this process, which is reflected in a lower elasticity. Complex surface cuts, such as a cube cut or the division into lying zones, are only possible with particularly high-quality versions with a higher density due to the porous and more irregular nature of the material. It is important to note that the term comfort foam is sometimes also used in relation to cold foam mattresses. This is not correct: these are different materials. Cold foam can also generally be better adapted to individual needs. Normal comfort foam mattresses are primarily suitable for lightweight people.
Gel foam
Unlike typical viscoelastic foam, gel foam does not react to heat, but to pressure. This means that the material adapts precisely to the body as soon as you lie on it. Gel foam is therefore a type of high-tech foam that provides optimum pressure relief over the entire lying surface. Unlike visco, however, gel foam has a fast and high resilience. After pressure relief, the foam immediately returns to its original shape. This makes turning and tossing and turning during sleep much easier and prevents the feeling of lying in a hollow. To optimize the soft and pressure-relieving material, the gel foam is combined with a moulded foam, cold foam or pocket spring core. This allows the resting body to experience perfect support in key areas while providing ideal pressure relief. The gel foam layer is always on the top of the mattress, with a support layer underneath, which is usually made of cold foam or comfort foam.
Latex
Latex can be obtained naturally or synthetically, often a mixture of both is used. Natural latex is obtained from the milky sap of the rubber tree. As a finished product, natural latex is used as foam in mattresses. Mattresses made from natural latex are characterized by lasting elasticity and high resilience. Natural latex mattresses have excellent point elasticity, very good adaptability to body contours and are considered to be extremely robust, tireless and durable. These properties are complemented by an antiseptic effect that largely keeps dust mites and bacteria at bay. The term natural latex is not protected by law. Natural latex mattresses therefore do not have to be made of pure natural rubber, but may well contain some of the synthetically produced raw material. As a renewable raw material, natural latex can be fully recycled. Exclusive mattresses made from 100% natural latex are found almost exclusively in the upper price segment. Latex adapts perfectly to both the sleeping surface and the body contours of the sleeper, has excellent point elasticity and is also a good choice from a hygienic point of view, as there are hardly any points of attack for mites.
How to choose the perfect hotel mattress
You can easily choose the right mattress for you using our classification system. We distinguish between the Comfort and Premium segments.
Comfort
The mattresses labeled Comfort reflect the mid-price segment. Here you will find models for all different types of mattress and have the widest choice.
Premium
The premium segment stands for very good quality and the greatest longevity of mattresses. You can enjoy these products for many years.