It’s hard enough to buy a good mattress for your bed at home but which one should you use for your hostel?
As I researched the internet, I was confused and somewhat discouraged by how few genuinely relevant information I could find about hostel mattresses. I felt like most of the websites are built to sell you an $800 mattress so that they earn a juicy commission.
Well, I knew then and there that I needed to fix this shortage of information right away. So here it is – your honest guide to finding the right mattress that has your interests at heart.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the right choice about your hostel mattresses. You’ll learn whether foam or spring mattresses are better, how firmness comes into play and additional first-hand insights from other hostel owners.
All the information is provided with one goal in mind: To enable you to choose the best mattresses for your hostel that are comfortable and last long without spending a fortune!
How To Choose The Best Mattress For Your Hostel
The first thing you’ll notice when you’re looking for a suitable mattress is that there are two general models: Foam and spring mattresses.
But which one is the better choice for your hostel?
Let’s dive right into it!
Foam vs. Spring Mattress
Spring mattresses are often considered the “tradition mattresses”. They consist of many metal coils that allow a certain bounciness of the mattress. Furthermore, spring mattresses are the standard among most hotels.
PRO
- Tend to be cheaper than foam mattresses
- There are special mattresses for the lodging industry that have built-up edge springs to account for excessive sitting on the bed
CON
- The coil system loses bounciness over time. In fact, it loses about 16% in support in its first year [1]
- Can become squeaky over time
- Lower durability → around 5 years of regular use (depending on quality & thickness)
Foam mattresses, on the other hand, don’t have springs and get their bounciness through trapped air. Most foam mattresses consist of 3 or more layers with each layer being different in their nature and impact.
PRO
- High durability: 7-10 years (up to 20 years depending on firmness and thickness). Some companies even give a 25 years warranty which proofs their durability
- Silent
- Usually delivered in a compressed roll → you can keep a few extras on hand that take up little space
CON
- Its soft & smooth material is closer to the body → can lead to more sweating on hot days due to less air circulation
- Tend to be pricier than spring mattresses
Hybrid mattresses are, as the name implies, a mixture of springs and foam.
By design, both models have advantages and drawbacks. So which mattress should you choose for your hostel?
Before we dive into my recommendation, let me set the record straight: There’s no right or wrong. There’s only the option that fits best for YOU and YOUR hostel.
TheHostelHelper’s Recommendation
I recommend choosing foam mattresses for beds in dorms (typically bunk beds and twin beds) and spring mattresses for private rooms (typically queen and king beds).
Since hostel guests sit a lot on the edges of bunk beds, it’s just a matter of time until the outer springs sag. Even if you turn the mattress every few months (which I recommend), you’ll have to replace them much earlier than foam mattresses. Especially when dorms are used for social gatherings and several people sit on the edges.
Bigger beds in private rooms are typically less commonly used for social gatherings and offer additional furnishings to sit down. Therefore, spring beds are a good choice.
Okay, now you know which model to choose. But what is better: firm or soft?
Firm vs. Soft Mattress
Let’s start by busting the most common myth among mattresses: It’s not a question of firm or soft – the firmness or softness is rather a spectrum!
It’s like we’d discuss between a white and a black car when in reality, there are thousands of different colors in between.
Now the bad news: there’s no international standard when it comes to determining the firmness of a mattress. However, most popular manufacturers measure it on a scale from 1 to 10.
Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of both ends of the spectrum.
Firm mattress:
PRO
- Higher durability since mattress loses firmness over time
- Typically cheaper
- Best for hot temperatures because body sinks in less which allows for more air circulation → less sweating
- Muscles can relax → less tension on muscles
CON
- Can be uncomfortable for certain people
Soft mattress:
PRO
- Better for cold temperatures because body sinks in more which leads to less air circulation
CON
- Lower durability
- Can cause back pain due to lacking support for the lower back
- Typically more expensive
- “Too soft” can give guests a feeling that it has been used for years even if it’s new
The right firmness of a mattress for an individual person depends upon two factors:
1) Sleep position
- Firm mattresses are best for back sleepers and stomach sleepers because they prevent sagging in
- Soft mattresses are best for side sleepers because they allow the shoulder to sag in which leads to a more neutral spine position
2) Bodyweight
- The higher your bodyweight the harder your mattress should be to prevent excessive sagging
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get back to the original question: What is best for your hostel?
TheHostelHelper’s Recommendation
I recommend you aim for a 6-8 on the firmness scale (medium-firm to firm). That seems to be the sweet spot between comfortability and durability to accommodate lots of different people in your hostel.
No matter what you decide for your hostel, stay away from extra firm and extra soft.
Mattress Thickness
Last but not least, how thick should your mattress be?
The standard thickness for mattresses for private homes is 6-10 inches (~15-25 cm). Thicker mattresses tend to stay comfortable for a longer time but come with a higher price tag.
What “thick enough” is depends upon your body weight: the heavier you are the thicker your mattress should be.
Here’s what I’d do.
TheHostelHelper’s Recommendation
Choose a minimum thickness of 6 inches (~15 cm) for bunk bed mattresses and single beds in dorms. That way it’s still comfortable and it’s not too high so that people can still sit upright on the bottom bunk bed (given a proper bed frame).
For private rooms, I recommend you aim for at least 8, better 10 inches. Since these guests pay way more money, they’ll also expect – and deserve – more comfort.
Waterproof Mattress Cover
In my opinion, a waterproof mattress protector is a must-have for every hostel owner.
A waterproof mattress cover protects against spills and leaks of any nature like sweating, bedwetting and menstrual accidents, avoids foul odor, and prevents mold. Most importantly, it prevents uninvited guests like bed bugs, dust mites, and the like.
Overall, it can dramatically affect the durability of your hostel mattresses. Spoiler alert for hostel novices: you will be surprised by how many adults still wet the bed.
The costs of a waterproof mattress cover are around 20-40 USD (excl. VAT). That’s an investment you’ll be thankful for.
If you decide to buy a mattress cover, make sure it has a zipper that encases the mattress entirely. In case the supplier of your choice only offers a plastic cover that makes sounds when you move on it, think about adding a washable non-plastic pad that covers the top.
Click here to see the mattress covers I recommend.
Additional Tips
Here’s a collection of proven tips that I received interviewing successful hostel owners:
- Avoid big gaps between bed slats. The bigger the gaps the more uneven the support of the mattress which leads to lower durability.
- Double-check the measurements to make sure the mattresses fit your existing beds. The same goes for your bedsheets.
- Turn your mattress every 6 months. Swap the top and the bottom mattresses on the bunk beds every 12 months. Draw numbers on the side of the mattress to know which side was already “at the front”. Make sure guests can’t see these numbers through the sheets.
- Write the date of purchase on the mattress. Depending on the occupancy of specific rooms, some mattresses will last longer than others before you have to replace them. This easy trick can save you several thousand bucks
- Don’t forget to look at the thickness of the mattress when buying online. I’ve once ordered a mattress without looking at the thickness. In the end, I had to buy another one because it was just too thin.
- Always have some extra mattresses incl. covers on hand in case of accidents. Thank me later for this one.
If you don’t use waterproof mattress covers, here are some proven tips to freshen up a mattress:
- Lightly mist the mattress with white vinegar and water (1:4 ratio) and let it dry. Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and let it sit for several hours before you vacuum it off.
- Rub your mattress with a detergent and a small amount of water and let it dry in the sun.
- If your mattress smells like mold, replace the mattress. Mold spray won’t help when mold is spreading on the inside.
Hostel Mattress Supplier
If you’re starting a new hostel, I recommend you stay close to the following price levels for your mattresses:
- ~ 100 USD per twin mattress (excl. VAT)
- ~ 200 USD per queen/king mattress (excl. VAT)
In contrast to bunk bed frames, mattresses don’t have to meet certain laws and regulations. Therefore, I’d rather buy a solid bed frame and go with slightly cheaper mattresses. They’ll do the job.
Sometimes, it’s cheapest to visit your local mattress company. Simply tell them what you’re looking for and also have a fixed price range in mind to make sure you don’t end up with 800 dollar mattresses.
That said, I prefer to buy such items online and based on other people’s reviews. That way, you can GREATLY reduce the risk of being disappointed.
Here are some of my favorite websites to get maximum bang for your buck:
On Amazon, you have the advantage to read through thousands of reviews
Over the 10 years, Amazon has developed into a respected store for all sorts of things – even mattresses!
- This is the mattress I recommend FOR BUNK BEDS.
- This is the mattress I recommend FOR QUEEN BEDS (private rooms).
And HERE you can find the proper mattress protectors for your mattresses.
- AliExpress with its corresponding B2C platform Alibaba.com offer quantities below 1000
- Especially useful if Amazon isn’t that popular in your country
Some hostel owners bought their mattresses at IKEA. In my opinion, IKEA is absolutely awesome when it comes to cheap decoration and private furniture for your home. You can definitely buy great cutlery and dishes for your hostel there, too.
However, I personally would stay away from IKEA furniture and mattresses for your hostel. These mattresses are just not made for the needs of a hostel and tend to be much less durable.
What about eBay? You definitely can be lucky on eBay. I personally don’t like that you can’t see any reviews (besides some random fake reviews). Hence, I’d rather stick to Amazon.
If you prefer to buy higher quality commercial mattresses, get a quote at one of the following recommended bunk bed manufacturers. They all offer worldwide delivery and the mattresses often come in waterproof covers.
There are many more commercial mattress manufacturers. These are the ones where I personally know hostel owners who bought their mattresses there and were 100% satisfied.
Just keep in mind that some suppliers have minimum purchase requirements.
P.S. People who read this article were also interested in my guide about the perfect hostel bedroom design.
STOP! 🤚
Before you leave: Answer this quick question and help our community.
Which mattress model did you decide upon for your hostel and why?
Share your opinion in the comment section below!
After visiting hundreds of pages…….. I finally found what I’ve been looking for!!!
Thanks!
You’re welcome. I’m happy to help you.
“Write the date of purchase on the mattress.” – Gosh. I wish I’d have read that when I started… so so true!
Regards Tia
Hi Tia,
I saw this “gem of a tip” in a hostel in Sydney and instantly thought the same: what a great idea!
15 cm golden foam mattresses with waterproof cover….I’ve been happy to see you advise the same, I wanted to buy pocket socks spring mattresses, but my budget wasn’t fitting.
Hi Seb,
thanks for your insights!
15 cm foam mattresses sound like a great choice 🙂
“Foam, Foam, Foam” is the new “Location, Location, Location” haha 😀
Haha, seems like you’ve read through my blog article about how to choose the right location for a hostel before? 😉
I agree with 95% of the content above.
However, I think $20-40 is a bit too less for good quality mattress covers. In my opinion, it’s well worth spending a bit more on the covers!
Cheers Amelia L.
Hi Amelia,
thanks for sharing!
That’s good to know.
STAY AWAY FROM TOO HARD MATTRESSES!
I received several complains about the ones I bought even though I think they’re perfect…
If I could choose them again, I’d stick to a 6-7 rather than an 8-9.
Best regards,
Howard
Hi Howard,
thanks for your comment!
That’s super helpful.
I find it hard to choose the sweet spot between “too soft” and “too hard” because everyone has different preferences…
I can relate. Pleasing everybody is almost impossible.
However, I don’t think your guests will complain if you choose something in between 🙂
Waterproof and even more importantly – BED BUG PROOF – encasements are an absolute must-have in my opinion!!
That’s the wrong place for penny-pinching if you’re operating a hostel…….
I agree 100%.
It’s also listed in my guide about how to prevent bed bugs in hostels.
Guests sitting on the side of the mattress – that’s what killed our first spring mattresses after around 5 years.
We’re going to use foam mattresses from now on and turn them every 2 months. I’m curious how long they’re going to last. Hopefully, I don’t leave a comment within the next 5 years haha 😅
Haha 😄
Good luck!
Gosh! You made my day, mate!
I was just about to order 110 new spring mattresses as I stumbled upon your article.
Result: I ordered thicker and harder foam mattresses and saved about $2000!!
(=
Oh wow! That’s awesome!
I’ve just sent you my bank details… Nah, just kidding 😉
I’d personally choose even thicker ones for private rooms.
It just looks nice and more comfortable from a guest’s perspective.
I agree. The thicker, the higher the visual impact 🙂
great blog…
Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure 🙂
Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Im obliged for the blog article.Thanks Again. Awesome.
You’re welcome 🙂
Major thankies for the post.Thanks Again. Fantastic.