Latest news with #guestroom
Washington Post
a day ago
- Washington Post
Miss Manners: Wonderful hostess makes very poor guest
Dear Miss Manners: I have visited a dear friend a few times over the years, and each time, I am greeted with a lovely guest room: comfortable bedding, fresh flowers and fluffy towels, all of which made my stay extra special. When she visited me for the first time, I was excited to put together a similar experience for her. But I was rather shocked to discover that she arrived with a sleeping bag and her own towels, saying she didn't want to inconvenience me.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The Best Mattress For Guest Rooms That Keep All Visitors Comfortable
Finding the most optimal mattress for your guest room means taking a universal approach that feels 'just right' for different sleeping positions and body types, since it's meant to accommodate different sleeper types. Although you may not want to splurge on this mattress as much as your own, you don't have to compromise your standards when shopping for a great value. The best mattress for a guest room is both affordable and high-quality, with a feel that helps any visitor sleep comfortably. Our top pick, the Leesa Studio Mattress, is a medium-firm memory foam option that delivers contouring pressure relief without uncomfortable sinkage. The Leesa Studio Mattress is our top pick for the best mattress for guest rooms thanks to its value ... More and versatility. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILER As spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini says, there are 'two important criteria for guest room mattresses: versatility and support.' You want to find a mattress that a variety of guests will find comfortable, regardless of their sleeping position or body type. 'You don't have to splurge on a high-end mattress, but don't skimp either," Jazini adds. 'Sleep is how the body repairs itself, so choose something that ensures your guests wake up rested, not stiff or sore.' Read on for our top picks of the best mattresses for guest rooms. Our Top Recommendations Amazon Leesa Studio Mattress (Queen) Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Shipping: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: Limited lifetime Pros: Suited to most sleeping types (back, side, stomach and combo) Affordable Greenguard Gold-certified Cons: Not as supportive as a mattress made with coils The best mattress for a guest room should be versatile enough to suit a variety of guests and sleeping types—without breaking the bank. The Leesa Studio Mattress ticks both of these boxes, made from responsive, supportive memory foam that's designed to reduce sinking and provide pressure point relief for back, side, stomach and combination sleepers. It also features a moisture-wicking cover cover and cooling foam that could benefit hot sleepers. Despite its affordable price tag, this mattress is made from quality materials, earning it GreenGuard Gold and Certi-Pur US certifications for being sustainably made and free from harmful additives. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty and 100-night sleep trial, which gives you time to ensure it's the right fit. One commonly reported downside is that unboxing this mattress often comes with an off-gassing smell that takes a few days to dissipate (which can be common with memory foam). Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 10 years Pros: Ideal for side, back and combination sleepers Green tea-infused CertiPUR-US Certified Cons: May be too soft if you plan for heavyweight guests If you're shopping for mattresses for multiple guest bedrooms, you might want to avoid the priciest options—but that doesn't mean you have to compromise on quality. This memory foam mattress from Wayfair features three layers designed to relieve pressure, promote cooling airflow and reduce motion transfer. The top layer is infused with green tea to eliminate odors and promote relaxation, and the mattress is CertiPUR-US Certified. It has a medium firmness feel that's plush yet supportive for a variety of sleepers, and it has a build with a weight capacity of 800 pounds. However, it's not as sturdy or supportive as a bed like the DreamCloud Hybrid (in case you or a partner plan to ever sleep on the mattress). It's an ultra-popular pick that's earned a 4.7-star rating from over 60,000 owners, so you can be confident that your guests are very likely to sleep comfortably. Just keep in mind that it needs a few days to expand after being unboxed, so you need to have it set up well ahead of your guests' arrival. Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Soft and firm | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Pros: Two firmness options accommodate most sleepers Reliable motion regulation Cons: Not suited for very hot sleepers If you really want to make your guest feel right at home, this Layla Mattress features both a soft and firm side that's easy to flip to suit individual guest's preferences. Both sides are made from copper-gel memory foam that's encased in a cooling cover to help promote temperature regulation. The soft side is rated a 4 out of 10 on the firmness scale, while the firm side is a 7. While neither side is on the end of its respective side of the spectrum, there is a noticeable difference between the two that make it worth flipping for different guests, especially if they have different sleeping habits. The brand claims that the memory foam delivers uniquely supportive pressure relief, plus heat dissipation and antimicrobial protection. When we tested the Layla mattress, we found that while heat did dissipate fairly quickly, the cooling properties were still likely not enough to support sleepers who run very hot. Type: Innerspring | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm or firm | Delivery: Free white glove delivery | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Pros: Supportive dual-coil design for optimal pressure relief Three firmness options Excellent edge support Cons: Falls short with motion isolation If you have parents or in-laws visiting frequently, it's worth investing in a high-quality mattress that helps keep them more comfortable and supported. We rated the Saatva Classic as the best mattress for seniors thanks to its lifted, supportive feeling that cradles the body without letting it sink. The Saatva Classic is an innerspring mattress with a dual-coil build that's designed to relieve pressure points, support the lumbar region and promote airflow for supportive, cooling rest. It also features a 3-inch Euro pillow top that's available in three different firmness levels to suit any kind of sleeper. Especially important for senior sleepers, this mattress also has excellent edge support, which makes it easy to get in and out of bed without struggle. The only downside with this bed is it that it's so responsive, so lightweight sleepers who share a bed with a partner are more likely to be disturbed. Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Pros: Balances soft contouring with structured support Reliable edge support and motion isolation Great value Cons: Might be too firm for guests like grandkids or young children Hybrid mattresses offer the best of both worlds, thanks to comforting memory that's balanced by supportive coils, making them a great pick for guest rooms that host many different sleepers. The DreamCloud Hybrid is a top pick because it comes at a great value, especially considering its quality. The build features individually wrapped coils for customized body contouring, topped with a gel memory foam for cooling cushioning and covered by a cashmere-blend quilted cover for added softness. We found that this mattress excels at both motion isolation and edge support during testing, making it a great pick for both couples and seniors that decide to stay the night. Just keep in mind that this mattress takes a few days to fully expand after shipping, so be sure to set it up ahead of company arriving. Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Delivery: Free (in a box) | Trial: 365 nights | Warranty: Lifetime Pros: Wallet-friendly price Best for back, stomach and combination sleepers Excellent motion isolation Cons: Not as soft as other memory foam options Memory foam mattresses are another popular choice for guest rooms. They're known for a doughy texture that excels at cushioning joints and isolating motion for undisturbed sleep. But not all memory foam mattresses are great choices for guest rooms, as many can be too soft to suit a variety of sleeping positions and body types. The Nectar Classic delivers a medium-firm feel with its several layers of high-density, pressure-relieving memory foam. When we tested it, we found that it offers more support than expected, delivering a dense yet pressure-relieving feel that suits a variety of different sleepers. This mattress also comes at a great value, which makes it a great pick for stocking a guest room on a budget. Some owners have reported it's not as soft as anticipated, which means it may not be the best choice for devoted side sleepers or lightweight individuals. Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Soft, medium or firm | Delivery: Free (bed in a box) | Trial: 120 nights | Warranty: Limited lifetime Pros: Five active cooling properties Three firmness levels to choose from Hybrid design for versatile support Cons: May be too cool if you live in a cold region If you live in a hot climate (or just frequently have hot sleepers over), investing in a cooling mattress for your guest room makes you an excellent host. Our top pick for the best cooling mattress is the Aurora Luxe, thanks to its five active cooling features that we found delivers noticeably cool results during testing. This mattress features a GlacioTex cooling cover that attracts and disperses heat as you sleep, as well as foam that's infused with cooling fibers and a hybrid design that naturally promotes airflow. All of that resulted in our senior sleep editor Bridget Chapman—a self-proclaimed hot sleeper—sleeping much more soundly in it without sweating or overheating through the night. This mattress is available in three different firmness levels to suit sleepers' preferences. But we found the medium option offers a versatile profile that supports most side, back and stomach sleepers. Type: Hybrid latex | Firmness: Plush, medium, cushion-firm, firm, extra-firm | Delivery: Free (bed in a box) | Trial: 100 nights | Warranty: 25 years Pros: Adjustable firmness to suit different guests Naturally breathable fabrics Certified by several sustainable and environmental organizations Cons: Adjusting firmness can be laborious Investing in an organic mattress comes with the peace of mind of knowing that you're sleeping on certified natural materials that meet strict standards for cleaner rest. When it comes to finding the right pick for a guest room, the NaturePedic EOS offers unique customization that allows tweaking the feel of your mattress for each and every guest. This hybrid mattress features organic latex, cotton and wool to deliver both structure and support along with natural temperature regulation. But the feel of the bed is always customizable, thanks to the zippable design that allows you to add and remove mattress layers on each side as you please. NaturePedic offers free swapping of layers for the first 100 days, but even beyond that timeline, you can always purchase additional layers and transform the bed as needed. And even in between guest stays, you can make small adjustments as needed. Just keep in mind that this process requires effort (and likely the help of multiple people). When we tested it, we found it difficult to fit the layers inside the mattress while holding it tight enough to close to the zipper. You'll also need enough strength to shake the mattress afterwards to even it out and avoid noticeable lumps. In search of the very best mattresses on the market, the sleep team at Forbes Vetted has tested hundreds over the years, from firm mattresses to soft mattresses and everything in between. The author of this article, Monica Petrucci, is a commerce writer for Forbes Vetted who has spent hours testing mattresses and conducting research in order to provide the best recommendations for our readers. Sleep editors Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon are both certified sleep science coaches who have spent years testing and researching mattresses, and they approved every product on this list. We interviewed three experts for this story. The first is Dr. Ehsan Jazini who is a spine surgeon at VSI, and he spoke to the importance of versatility in a guest room mattress when it comes to supporting spinal alignment. We also consulted Zach Smith, doctor of physical therapy and founder of Hidef Physical Therapy, as well as Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, certified sleep specialist and author of Sleeping On The Job . Both provided expertise on the features to look for when shopping for a guest room mattress, as well as recommendations that suit a variety of sleepers. who is a spine surgeon at VSI, and he spoke to the importance of versatility in a guest room mattress when it comes to supporting spinal alignment. We also consulted Zach Smith, doctor of physical therapy and founder of Hidef Physical Therapy, as well as Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, certified sleep specialist and author of . Both provided expertise on the features to look for when shopping for a guest room mattress, as well as recommendations that suit a variety of sleepers. The Forbes Vetted team is committed to providing the most relevant and updated information to our readers. This article was last updated in July 2025. We utilized a combination of hands-on testing insights and product landscape research to decide on a list of the best mattresses for guest rooms. We collected recommendations and insights from Jazini, Smith and Holliday-Bell, taking their expertise into consideration when evaluating the best mattress materials, firmness levels and price points. We consulted hands-on testing notes from the Forbes Vetted team in order to provide real world insight for some of the mattresses on this list. We prioritized mattresses that with a medium firmness feel and highlighted queen mattresses sizes, both recommended by our experts to be best suited to guest bedroom settings. We scoured through consumer reviews to ensure we only included mattresses that have proven real world performance suited to a wide audience. There are a few key features to consider when shopping for the right mattress for a guest room, especially when it comes to making sure a variety of visitors sleep comfortably. Mattress Type When deciding on the right material for your guest bedroom, Holliday-Bell has a couple of favorites. 'Memory foam and hybrids are probably the best options, as they are the most versatile for different guests,' she says. Smith echoes the latter recommendation, saying, 'a hybrid mattress is a great option because you get the best of both worlds: A soft top and support from the springs inside.' Firmness Jazini, Smith and Holliday-Bell all recommend opting for a mattress with a medium to medium-firm profile for guest rooms, since it can suit a wide range of sleeping positions and body types. 'While everybody has different needs, a medium-firm mattress is the most likely to support neutral spine alignment, maintaining that natural S-curve whether someone sleeps on their back, side or stomach,' says Jazini. He warns against mattresses that are too soft or too firm for guest rooms, as the former can make it difficult to move around—especially for seniors—and the latter can create pressure points and discomfort for certain sleepers. Price It makes sense that most people want to save money when shopping for a guest room mattress, since it gets used much less often than your own mattress. 'Of course, it's nice to have a mattress that holds up over time," Smith says. 'But this mattress just won't experience the wear and tear that a mattress that is getting nightly sleep will.' That said, Smith emphasizes that when it comes to mattresses, cost does not always match up with quality. 'What some people feel is comfortable is not always based on the cost,' he says. 'Some of the most comfortable beds I have found have been under $1,500.' In this case, it's certainly okay to aim lower when it comes to price for a guest room mattress—without sacrificing quality. What Is The Best Type Of Mattress For A Guest Bedroom? Experts recommend a medium-firm mattress for guest rooms, as it can suit a wide range of body types and sleeping positions. Opting for something too soft or firm could result in a buildup of pressure points or discomfort for certain sleepers, so it's best to stay somewhere in the middle. What Is A Good Sized Bed For A Guest Bedroom? 'If your space can accommodate it, a queen-sized mattress would likely be the best choice as it can comfortably sleep a single person or couple,' says Holliday-Bell. Smith echoes that, saying, 'It won't take up too much of your guest room, but it also allows for two sleepers to comfortably fit in the bed.' How Often Should I Replace My Guest Room Mattress? Experts commonly recommend replacing a mattress every 10 years or so, but that's typically directed toward mattresses that are slept on every night. Guest mattresses likely have a longer lifespan due to their minimized usage, but it's best to take feedback from guests to keep track of when it's becoming less comfortable.
