Choosing the right hotel mattress firmness is one of the most important factors when investing in mattresses. We understand the importance of this decision, and to provide guidance, we crafted this article to offer valuable insights and help you select the ideal mattress firmness for your hotel.

Top 5 Factors to Consider when Selecting a Hotel Mattress Firmness

To determine the best firmness for a hotel mattress, we first need to define the top factor to consider. We will take a comprehensive look at factors that apply to most hotels. Still, please remember that one size does not fit all. You might find unique needs in your hotel. The top five crucial factors covered in this article include personal factors, guest preferences and demographics, mattress versatility and adaptability, support and comfort, and durability.

Before exploring these important factors, it’s essential to establish a standard for mattress firmness. We will use a 10-point firmness scale for consistency, where 1 represents the softest mattress and 10 represents the firmest. For this article, we’ll follow the 10-point firmness scale provided by the Sleep Foundation [1].

10-point Mattress Firmness Scale

The 10-point mattress firmness scale is a widely used system that categorizes mattresses based on how soft or firm they feel when a person lies on them. From left to right, we have numbers from one to ten, one being an extra soft mattress and 10 being an extra firm mattress. The scale is divided into seven levels: 1 (extra soft), 2-3 (soft), 4 (medium-soft), 5 (medium), 6 (medium-firm), 7-8 (firm), and 9-10 (extra-firm). Let’s look at each level in more detail:

1 (Extra Soft): Extra-soft mattress provides maximum body conformity and sinkage, allowing sleepers to sink deeply into the mattress. To achieve such softness, extra-soft mattresses might lack support and are recommended only for lighter individuals who weigh under 130 pounds.

2-3 (Soft): Soft mattresses also offer considerable body conformity and sinkage, ideal for those who prefer a plush sleeping surface. It provides slightly more support than an extra-soft mattress.

4 (Medium-Soft): Medium-soft mattresses feature high body conformity with moderate sinkage and more support than a soft mattress.

5 (Medium): Medium mattresses sit close to the middle of the firmness scale and provide the most balance between comfort and support.

6 (Medium-Firm): Medium-Firm mattresses deliver moderate conformity and sinkage, appealing to a broad range of sleepers, especially those needing a balance of support and comfort with a slight inclination to more support.

7-8 (Firm): Firm mattresses provide slight conformity with minimal sinkage, suitable for those who prefer a firmer feel.

9-10 (Extra-Firm): Extra-firm mattresses offer minimal to no conformity or sinkage, ideal for stomach sleepers or heavier individuals who need extra support or pure support without pressure relief.

Understanding the firmness scale is crucial as it directly impacts comfort and support. It’s important to note that while this scale provides a solid foundation for comprehending mattress firmness, the perceived firmness can vary depending on the manufacturer and materials used. Factors such as the composition of comfort layers, support core materials, and overall mattress construction can influence how a mattress feels relative to its numerical rating on the scale. Therefore, while the scale offers a helpful reference point, it’s advisable to consider it in conjunction with specific product details and, when possible, personal testing to ensure the most accurate assessment of a mattress’s firmness and suitability for your hotel needs.

 

Diving into the Top Factors

With the firmness scale established, let’s delve into the key factors to consider when choosing the right mattress firmness for your hotel.

Personal factors

Personal factors like body weight, sleeping position, and individual comfort preferences greatly influence the choice of ideal firmness. Personal factors directly affect the way each person experiences a mattress. Body weight is one of the most important factors to look at because it determines the amount of pressure the body places on the mattress. A lighter person creates less pressure and experiences the mattress as softer. A heavier person creates more pressure and experiences the mattress as firmer.

To examine which mattress firmness best fits a person based on body weight, we will follow the Sleep Foundation [1] guidelines for mattress firmness according to body weight.

Considering the 10-point firmness scale, we can see that a mattress firmness ranging from 1 to 5 (extra soft to medium), is mostly indicated for guests under 130 pounds. While mattresses ranging from 6 to 10 (medium-firm to extra-firm) fit best heavier individuals weighing over 230 pounds. The balance in the firmness scale happens from levels firmness 4 – 6 (medium-soft to medium-firm), which is the firmness suggested for individuals that weigh between 130-230 pounds.

Now that we understand how crucial personal factors such as body weight are in a mattress firmness selection, let’s consider the average body size of your potential guests. In the U.S., the average American woman weighs approximately 170 pounds and stands around 5 feet 4 inches tall, while the average American man weighs about 198 pounds and is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, according to Healthline [2][3].

It’s also important to consider popular sleeping positions since position preference impacts the way guests experience the mattress. The Sleep Foundation [4] shows that adults sleep on their side 54% of the time, on their back 38% of the time, and on their stomachs 7%.

Based on the body weight averages and sleep position preferences, we start identifying that a mattress in the medium firmness range (4 to 6 on the 10-point scale) would please most American guests, since on average, both man and women’s weight range is between 130-230 pounds and 92% of the time people tend to sleep on their side or backs.

If your guest demographic includes individuals from specific ethnic groups, it may be beneficial to research their average size as well to ensure the mattress firmness meets their needs effectively.

Guest Preferences and Demographics

Most guests prefer a mattress that is neither too soft nor too hard. This firmness balance promotes spinal alignment alleviates pressure points, and prevents discomfort during sleep, allowing guests to have a pleasant sleep experience and wake up well-rested, which leads to positive reviews and increased bookings.

It’s important to consider your hotel demographics and the main reasons guests stay at your hotel. For example, if your guests mostly stay when on a business trip, they might prefer a firmer mattress that provides more back support. On the other hand, if guests are vacationing, they might prefer a plusher mattress that provides a more luxurious sleep experience.

Mattress Versatility and Adaptability

We have established that a great hotel mattress must be versatile and cater to a wide range of sleep preferences. A medium-range (medium-soft, medium, or medium-firm) mattress caters to a wider range of sleeper preferences and body types. We also want to mention that it is important to think of adaptability when choosing a hotel mattress firmness. It’s easier to make a firmer mattress feel softer (by adding plush toppers or padding) than to make a soft mattress firmer. Thus, a medium-firm mattress gives hotels more flexibility in adjusting comfort levels.

Support and Comfort

It’s essential to distinguish between support and firmness when evaluating a mattress. Support refers to how well the mattress maintains spinal alignment and alleviates pressure points, ensuring the body is properly supported. Firmness, on the other hand, describes the overall feel of the mattress—whether it is soft or firm when you lie on it. Both support and firmness play crucial roles in determining overall comfort. A mattress that lacks adequate support or is too firm or too soft can lead to discomfort and disrupt sleep quality.

Understanding your customer base is crucial when selecting the right mattress for your hotel. For establishments where support is a top priority, a medium-firm mattress is often the best choice. Conversely, in hotels or resorts where comfort is emphasized, a medium-soft or medium mattress might be more appropriate.

If you’re unsure which option to choose, consider surveying your guests about their mattress experience over a few months. Gathering a substantial amount of feedback can provide valuable insights into how your guests perceive the firmness level currently offered, helping you make a more informed decision when replacing or upgrading mattresses.

It’s important to prioritize guest feedback over personal preference. While it might be tempting to choose a mattress based on your own comfort, focusing on the preferences of the majority will ensure a more satisfying experience for your guests.

Durability

Replacing mattresses is a substantial investment for hotel owners, making it crucial to select ones that can withstand frequent use. Durability is key, as high-quality mattresses are designed to maintain their shape and support over time, even with constant guest turnover. Firmer mattresses often excel in this regard, offering superior support and resisting sagging or indentations, which helps prolong their lifespan.

However, durability should not come at the expense of comfort. A balance between firmness and comfort is essential to cater to various guest preferences. High-density foams and hybrid designs can provide both durability and a comfortable sleep experience. Though the initial cost of durable mattresses may be higher, it leads to long-term savings by reducing the frequency of replacements and associated maintenance costs.

Ultimately, investing in durable, comfortable mattresses enhances guest satisfaction and can contribute to positive reviews and repeat business. By prioritizing both durability and comfort, hotel owners can ensure a better guest experience while managing their operational costs effectively.

Medium-Firm: The Most Popular Hotel Mattress Firmness Choice Overall

In this article, we revised multiple factors that hotel owners must consider when choosing the appropriate hotel mattress firmness. Overall, we are able to conclude that a medium-firm mattress would best suit most hotels. Some of the top reasons that a medium-firm mattress represents an excellent option include:

• Medium-firm mattresses accommodate a wide range of guests and sleeping preferences.
• Medium-firm options provide enough support for back and stomach sleepers while still offering some pressure relief for side sleepers.
• Medium-firm mattresses offer a balance between cushioning and support that appeals to most sleepers.
• About 80% of sleepers prefer a firmness in the 4-6 range on the 10-point scale.

While individual preferences vary, medium-firm mattresses are generally the most popular and widely appealing option for sleepers. The medium-firm firmness level offers a balance of comfort and support that suits a broad range of body types and sleep positions, representing an excellent choice for most hotels.

 

We hope that this article has provided quality guidance to support your journey of buying new mattresses for your hotel. If you need assistance choosing the Right Mattress Size, please read our “How to Choose the Correct Mattress Size for Your Hotel” guide.

If you have any questions, we are always here to help and answer any questions you might have. Please feel free to reach out at 1-888-850-1044 or email us at info@hotelmattresses.com. We look forward to hearing from you and being a part of increasing your guests’ sleeping experience.

 

 

References

[1] Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-construction/mattress-firmness

[2] Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/average-weight-for-women

[3] Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/average-weight-for-men

[4] Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics