If you’ve had the best sleep of your life at a hotel, the pillow probably deserves a little credit. Soft, fluffy and luxurious, hotel pillows somehow just seem better than what we have at home. That’s largely because hotel pillows tend to be incredibly versatile. “Hotels look for what I like to call ‘a dome pleaser’—a pillow that will please the most discerning traveler and comfort the easy-going traveler,” says Kaysilyn Lawson, president of hospitality consulting company KLHG.
Treat yourself to a luxurious night of sleep at home with the best hotel pillows.
That means the best hotel pillows tend to deliver middle-of-the-road firmness and loft. They’re often allergy friendly and Lawson says they’re also commercial grade, meaning the fibers and fabrics are more durable that what you’d typically have at home. But above all, the best hotel pillow is one that simply feels luxurious, thanks to a great balance of sink-in softness and support. That’s exactly what you’ll find in The Ritz-Carlton Pillow, the best hotel pillow overall. With a three-chamber design, this pillow lives up to the luxury implied by its name. If you’re looking for a down alternative or something adjustable, we have recommendations for those, too.
Read on for the best hotel pillows on the market—the easiest way to bring five-star luxury to your bedroom.
- Best Hotel Pillow Overall: The Ritz-Carlton Pillow
- Best Hotel Pillow On Amazon: Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows
- Best Hotel Pillow For Side Sleepers: Sobel Westex Hotel Sobella Hypoallergenic Medium Pillow
- Best Down Hotel Pillow: Four Seasons Down & Feather Pillow
- Best Cooling Hotel Pillow: Fairmont Synthetic Gel Fibre Pillow
- Most Comfortable Hotel Pillow: Downlite 10/90 White Goose Down Medium Hotel Chamber Pillow
- Best Adjustable Hotel Pillow: Luxome Layr Customizable Pillow
How We Chose The Best Hotel Pillows
Choosing pillows for a five-star hotel isn’t like choosing one for your own bedroom, so we turned to the experts for an insider’s look at how it all works. In addition to Kaysilyn Lawson of KLHG, we interviewed Christian Fabbri, sales and project manager at Sobel Westex; Johanna Perez, director of housekeeping at NH Collection Hotel; and Albert Metrz, general manager at Hotel Hartness. They answered questions and offered recommendations for this story.
We also independently researched pillows sold directly through luxury hotels, pored over customer reviews where they were available, and made sure to include options for different budgets and materials.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
I’ve been writing sleep content for over a decade now, and I used that experience not only to quiz various hospitality experts but to research the best hotel pillows on the market. Collectively, the Forbes Vetted team has written dozens of articles about bedding and mattresses, and I tapped into their expertise and insight to assemble this list.
What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Hotel Pillows
If you’re determined to recreate your dreamy hotel experience with a pillow for your bed, start by checking the label. “More and more hotels offer guests the option to purchase pillows and bedding, so always ask,” advises Lawson. If that’s not the case at your hotel, try speaking to the front desk staff. “Most hotels are happy to share their source,” she says, though some suppliers may not offer small orders. In that case, “keep in mind what you liked about a particular pillow and do your own research,” adds Lawson. “Sometimes, you might even find a better version of what a hotel offers, since it’s aiming to satisfy many.”
In that regard, shopping for a hotel pillow isn’t much different than shopping for any kind of pillow, meaning you’ll be happiest with something that suits your personal preferences. Hotel pillows are synonymous with luxury, but they also tend to have a mid-range density and loft to accommodate a wide range of sleepers. Just ask Mertz: “We’ve found that the best solution is a medium-firm pillow, as it has support but also offers a level of ‘fluff’ or cushioning that makes it very comfortable with a luxurious feel,” he says. If you prefer something firmer, higher or lower loft for side or stomach sleeping, or a certain fill material, for example, that should inform your search.
Here’s what else to keep in mind as you shop.
Materials
Fabbri advises choosing a fill material that matches your idea of what’s comfortable. “Memory foam, down and synthetic down alternatives each have distinctive attributes,” he says, so think about what sort of feel appeals to you. If you’re a fan of marshmallow-y soft pillows, down pillows and down alternative pillows can be great options. Prefer something contouring? Take a close look at a memory foam pillow.
But no matter what material appeals to you, it’s likely worth avoiding the cheapest options. “Always be wary of buying cheap pillows because of the deterioration of shape over time,” says Perez. “High-quality pillows for home use should last around two years.”
Your Sleep Position
Depending on how you sleep, you may need a pillow that’s softer or firmer, with high loft or low. Being aware of your sleep style (back, stomach, side or combination) can help you find a pillow that will meet your needs. For example, back and stomach sleepers do best with a low-loft pillow that won’t push their neck out of alignment, while side sleepers need higher loft to keep their neck supported.
Ease Of Care
Eventually, every pillow will need to be cleaned, and it’s worth knowing upfront whether yours can go in the machine or if it’s dry clean only. While a pillow that can only be spot cleaned isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker, it can be the motivation you need to use a pillow protector.
Brand And Customer Reviews
“Look into brands for developing high-quality hotel pillows,” says Fabbri, and check out any available customer reviews to get an idea of what people really think. Be prepared for a little trial and error as well. “When searching for the right pillows for our project Hotel Hartness, the project team slept on 15 different pillows in their selection process,” says Mertz. He recommends looking into the quality of materials used and being clear on your fill preferences. “Make sure you actually get to place your head on it,” he says. “Hands do not provide proper feedback.” If you’re ordering online, check for trial windows and reasonable return policies.
Are Hotel Pillows Adjustable?
While hotel pillows generally aren’t adjustable, “you will notice that the selection of pillows on the bed typically includes at least two on the softer side and two on the medium-to-firm side,” says Lawson, which means there should be something to accommodate the majority of sleepers. “Some luxury properties may also have a selection of down or an additional option for those guests who request it,” she adds.
What Type Of Pillows Do 5-Star Hotels Use?
Five-star hotels generally use high-quality, allergy-friendly fibers, says Lawson. “Some brands may even work with a manufacturer to create the perfect blend for their guests,” she adds. They’re also usually commercial grade, meaning the fibers and fabrics are designed for long term use compared to your pillows at home, notes Lawson. Another commonality among pillows at five star hotels? “They tend to be king sized,” says Mertz.
