What makes a good bed?
The dream bed for one person may be someone else’s nightmare. There are so many different types of mattresses to choose from, such as open coil spring, continuous spring, pocket sprung, latex, and memory foam. There is no one perfect bed, but a good bed envelopes the body and provides support at the critical areas – the neck, back, and knees. A quality topper can also add a level of luxury, either in memory foam or luxurious feathers.
The secrets to surviving a hotel stay
Screeching elevators, loud parties, clanging ice machines – all of these are the sounds one might be subjected to while staying in a hotel. What can a person do to ensure the best night’s sleep while on vacation? Aside from calling the hotel and asking them if they offer quality Vi-Spring beds, there are some tricks to surviving a stay in a hotel.
When making the reservation, be sure to ask for a room on an upper floor and away from the elevator. It is also helpful to request a room in the middle of the floor, which means that the room will be away from the housekeeping closets, laundry facilities, exits, and vending machines. Another helpful hint is to ask for a room that faces away from the pool, which can be a late-night gathering place despite posted closing times. Remember, noise will echo off that water.
It is also a good idea to ask if the hotel is undergoing any renovations, and if so, to avoid floors that are adjacent to those being updated. If possible, try to get a room on a renovated floor, as they will often have newer beds and linens, smell better, and be generally cleaner.
Hotels known for their beds
Some hotels are known for their restaurants. Others are known for their location. What travelers in need of a good night’s sleep want are those that are known for their beds. Take the Hotel on Rivington in New York City, for example. This hotel offers Tempur-Pedic mattresses that adjust with every movement, whether one sleeps on his or her side, back, or stomach. Another luxurious option is the Westin Heavenly Bed, which is found at Westin hotels across the country. It is a super-luxe, 10-layer, pillow-top mattress that feels like sleeping on a cloud.
Just remember to read reviews and do a little research before booking a hotel. Surprisingly, some of the least expensive accommodations actually offer some of the best beds around!
(Photo by gnuckx via Flickr)