The Importance of Bed Layering in Hospitality

If you’re in the business of supplying accommodation, providing a great night’s sleep is key to your success. The bed is the Hero in the room, layering it correctly not only enhances comfort but also supports efficient operations and guest satisfaction. Here’s why:

Guest Satisfaction

Your guests are away from home and expect comfort, hygiene, and a high-quality sleep experience. A properly layered bed helps you deliver on this expectation, making a positive impression. One bad night’s sleep can lead to negative reviews, but a comfortable, well-made bed creates memorable experiences, encouraging repeat bookings and glowing referrals.

Housekeeping Efficiency

Standardizing linen & soft bedding in use streamlines the process for your housekeeping team. Handling the same types of bedding ensures quicker room turnovers and simplifies laundry operations, saving time while maintaining a consistent presentation across all rooms. A well-organized system reduces stress for your staff and helps you maintain high standards with ease.

Cost and Profitability

Effective bed layering enhances guest satisfaction and protects your bedding, extending its lifespan. Consistency equals cost efficiency and improved lifespan of your linen – especially when correct par levels are applied (stock in use plus spares required).

Best Practice for Bed Layering

4-5 Star rated accommodations should follow these practical steps for optimal bed layering:

The Foundation

Bed base: Use a sturdy, plain upholstered bed base that does not require a loose-fitting valance.  Utilise easy-to-move castor wheels at the head end, to make housekeeping more efficient and rigid glides in the middle and at the foot to provide strength and support. A base frame with solid, flat wooden slats is more stable, and lightweight allowing for better airflow around the mattress.

Fitted Valance : Do you have a functional but ugly bed base with older-looking fabric appearance?  Create consistency across your guest rooms with a modern smart-looking fitted stocking-type valance.

The Mattress: A hotel mattress should offer medium-firm support yet feel soft to the touch for bodily comfort. Pocket coil mattresses are chosen for low partner disturbance on double sleeper beds. Bonnell ‘springy’ mattresses are chosen for entry-level sleep or bunk beds.

The Layers

Bed Bug Protection: Invest in anti-bed bug encasements for the ultimate mattress hygiene. This is the first layer over the mattress. This lightweight stretch knit fabric cover provides low-cost insurance against infestations and is easy to check for bed bugs during bedding turn-down. Machine washable and easy to launder.

Luxury Toppers: The ultimate luxury sleep depends on how the bed is layered over the mattress and with what items. Alongside sleeping pillows, the 1,000gsm luxury mattress topper gets the best guest reviews on bed comfort. Add this as the second layer over the encasement.  Modern Hotels now substitute the heat of an electric blanket saving on energy bills and the potential fire hazard with the unsurpassed softness and warmth experienced in a luxury mattress topper.

Protective Layers: For best practice, use both a waterproof and quilted mattress protector as the next two layers. The former safeguards the topper and mattress from spills and body fluids, and the noiseless silicone backing is waterproof and can be washed on a low heat setting.  The latter fits over the waterproof protector, absorbing body fluid and sweat.

Sheeting: Now the sheets. White polycotton sheets are preferred for comfort, durability, and ease of laundering, while also conveying a strong message of cleanliness and hygiene to your guests.  The bottom sheet can be flat or fitted.  The second sheet is flat and tucked in to create a spartan finish before you add the duvet or comforter next.

Bedding: For the primary warmth layer, use a flat duvet or fitted boxed end quilt with hypoallergenic filling. DreamGreen microfiber filling is the most cost-effective, durable, easy-to-maintain and presentable bedding to create a clean, fresh look that reassures guests about the room’s hygiene and overall quality presentation. 

To Top It Off

Top Sheet: To elevate bed presentation and product the duvet, use a crisp plain white or fine sateen stripe top sheet, pulled tight and neatly tucked in. Perfect the top fold over the duvet and ensure crisp hospital corners at the foot. A well-made, crease-free, triple-sheeted bed will impress the most discerning guest!

Sleeping Pillows:  Prepare and display your pillows so they stand like soldiers at the head of the bed. Two pillows per sleeping position and include one of each type – medium loft-soft 900gsm and high-loft soft 1000gsm. Down-alternative hypoallergenic microfiber fill is best. Reserve feather fill or specialty pillows for the cupboard or available on request. Always use quilted pillow protectors for hygiene reasons, to absorb moisture, and to extend the life of your pillows.

Bed Accessories:  You may choose to display decorative cushions, runners, or throw blankets to add personality to the bed. Choose on-trend, easy-to-maintain fabrics that can be laundered. Bed runners made from a strip of fabric are commonly used on hotel beds. In relaxed lodges or motels, create a warm and inviting look with a soft quilted or fleece blanket draped smartly over the end of the bed. Ensure the top of the bed is 80% white linen in appearance as this sends out a message of clean, freshly laundered bed linen and lightens the mood in the guest room!

Conclusion

Your beds are a cornerstone of your guests’ experience. By focusing on the 3-pillars of comfort, hygiene and presentation, you ensure guest satisfaction, reduce operational stress, and increase profitability. With consistent attention to bed layering best practices, you will provide the restful and luxurious sleep your guests are paying for, setting your property apart and driving your business success.