How to Sleep Well When Traveling

Whether you are traveling for business or fun, we all strive to take with us the comfort that home provides. This can be especially hard for those fussy sleepers who require further measures to ensure a good night’s rest. From sound proof rooms to the right bedding, here are a few suggestions to maximize your comfort wherever you are.

1. Picking a hotel
When choosing a hotel we rarely ever think about sleep, even though that is for the most part, all we do in them. We tend to prioritize location over comfort which is perfectly normal, however wouldn’t it be great if you could get both? Every hotel should provide travelers with a tranquil sleeping environment. From the sheets to the temperature of the room, your hotel room should feel like a home away from home. I tend to be a fussy sleeper when it comes to noise, so choosing a hotel that is known to have a low noise level is imperative, especially in a city. Doing a bit of research before you book a room can go a long way.
Insider tip: Some hotels that are known for being “quiet” or soundproof such as Hotel Americano, New York and Hotel Bel-Air Los Angeles. See more ultra quiet hotels here.

sleep well when traveling

2. Bedding and Pillows
One of the best feelings is crawling into bed at night after a long day at the office. There are many aspects to think about where your bed is concerned. For example, sheets! Pretty self-explanatory right? For the most part yes but when approaching bedding you have to take into account what kind of sleeper you are. Do you get hot as the night goes on? What kind of pillow do you prefer to sleep on? Are there any allergies the hotel should take into account when preparing a room for you? It’s these little details that can mean the difference between a restless night and a peaceful slumber. There are many hotels that offer alternatives for those with allergies so calling ahead and discussing it with someone is highly recommended.

Inside tip: Some hotels have pillow menus or offer down alternative options for those who have allergies.  Marriott carries both down/feather and polyester choices that includes the down alternative eco smart pillow (filling is made of polyester balls spun from recycled water bottles!)

Marriott Hotel PIllows

Four Seasons hotel pillows also features hypoallergenic options at many of their properties so that their guests can relax and not worry about allergies affecting their vacation.

Four Seasons Hotel Pillows

3. Room Temperature and Lighting
– The temperature of a room can make or break a hotel stay. Most hotels set their temperatures between 68-73 degrees which is a pretty happy medium when you think about it. Not too hot, but not too cold. However there are those unique individuals who desire teeth chattering temps and there are those who prefer a tropical climate when they are catching a few z’s. If you are one of these people let your hotel know when you check in. If you are someone who gets cold throughout the night, request an extra blanket be put in your room. If you get hot throughout the night, ask if there are any options for perhaps a thinner blanket. Lighting can play a huge role as well in regards to whether your room is too hot. If your room is facing the sun for a good majority of the day, it is likely your room will be on the warmer side. If you can, request a room that only gets a few hours of direct sun light or make sure your room has both blinds and curtains to block out as much heat as possible.

Blog Author – Diana, Bedding Expert

Pillows.com Top Rated Hotel Pillows

As your head sinks softly into the hotel pillow of your dreams, after a relaxing day of vacation you wonder “how I can recapture this glorious sleep at home?” Anybody can bring that luxury slumber into the comfort of their own home since a handful of retailers sell hospitality pillows and bedding featured at the most popular hotels around the world.

At Pillows.com we carry the largest selection of pillows found anywhere, including hotel pillows. In fact, we sell pillows featured at over 50 different hotels and resorts. Our top sellers are hotel pillows due to their quality, durability, and affordability. If you are having trouble deciding which hotel pillow is right for you, look no further! This guide will cover our top 10 best selling hotel pillows. Read on to discover the benefits of each pillow, what kind of support each pillow provides, and what pillow is best for what sleeping position. Now it’s that much easier to transform your bedroom into a luxury hotel suite!

1. Pacific Coast Down Surround Pillow – Featured in Many Marriott Properties

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Marriott often features the Pacific Coast Down Surround Pillow in their properties across the United States. This is Pillows.com’s #1 selling pillow because it offers a terrific combination of softness and support that leaves our customers comparing it to “sleeping on a cloud.”

Pillow Filling: Pacific Coast Down Surround Pillows are filled with hyper cleaned duck feather and down. Pacific Coast puts their feather and down fill through a patented cleaning process to eliminate dust mites and allergens from their feather or down. Because of this washing process, Pacific Coast guarantees that their down and feather pillows will not cause an allergic reaction.
Construction: The pillow-in-a-pillow two chamber design of the Pacific Coast Down Surround Pillow allows for both softness and support. The Inner chamber of the pillow is filled with 95% duck feather and 5% down. The outer chamber of the pillow is filled with a minimum of 75% down. The inner chamber takes up 87% of the entire pillow while the outer chamber takes up 13% of the pillow.
Firmness Level: The Pacific Coast Down Surround Pillow offers medium support.
Sleeping position: Many people consider the Pacific Coast Down Surround Pillow ideal for all sleep positions, but we recommend it for back sleepers.
Price: $49.99-$69.99
Why It’s A Top Seller: The pillow in pillow design allows for your head to softly sink in before hitting the supportive inner chamber. This allows for your head to cradle in comfortable down while still being supported by the inner duck feathers.

2. Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow – Featured in Many Four Seasons Resorts

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For years Four Seasons has partnered with Phoenix Down to feature the Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow in many of their locations. This pillow is a very supportive feather/down pillow since it is filled with a generous amount of feather. The 75% feather fill in the pillow causes the pillow have more loft and a more substantive feel.

Pillow Filling: The Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow is filled with 75% White Goose Feather and 25% White Goose Down.
Construction: The Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow is built with a single chamber design allowing for the feathers and down to fully mix. The blend of feathers and down make this pillow a supportive, yet durable and comfortable pillow. The covering is 100% down-proof cotton which allows for a truly luxurious sleep experience.
Firmness Level: The Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow provides medium plus support.
Sleeping Position: The Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow is ideal for side sleepers and back sleepers.
Price: $59.99-$79.99
Why it’s a top seller: Four Season Hotels offer their guest more than a luxurious looking room, they offer them a luxurious and comfortable sleep experience with the Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow. The perfect blend of feather to down present in this pillow allows for more substantive support while not sacrificing the comfortable softness the down brings. The Phoenix Down 75/25 Feather and Down Pillow actually contains significantly more down than most of the popular dual and triple chamber hotel pillows.

3. Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow – Featured in Many Hampton Inn Properties and Hilton Hotels

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Hampton Inn and Hilton properties both usually carry the Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow in their rooms. This pillow has a unique construction that allows it to be more lofty they your typical down/feather pillow. When sleeping on the Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow your head will feel cradled in the softness of down while getting a good amount of support to get you the rest you need.

Pillow Filling: Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillows are filled with duck feather and down cleaned with Pacific Coast’s patented hyper cleaning process which eliminates dust mites and other allergens. For this reason Pacific Coast guarantees that all of their down and feather pillows will not cause an allergic reaction.
Construction: The pillow-in-a-pillow design of the Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow is what creates that soft yet supportive feel delivered by all of the dual chamber Pacific Coast hotel pillows. The Inner chamber to be filled with 95% duck feather 5% down while the outer chamber is filled with a minimum of 75% down. The inner chamber takes up 89% of the entire pillow while the outer chamber takes up 11% of the pillow.
Firmness Level: The Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow offers medium plus support.
Sleeping Position: The Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow is great for side and back sleepers.
Price: $49.99-$69.99
Why it’s a top seller: The pillow in pillow design of the Pacific Coast Touch of Down Pillow allows for your head to sink in softness before hitting the supportive inner chamber. This allows your head to cradle in comfortable down while still being supported by the inner duck feathers.

4. Pillowtex Triple Core White Duck Down/Feather Pillow – Featured in Many Boutique Hotels

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Smaller boutique hotels take the time to find the finest down/feather pillows to be featured in their rooms. The Pillowtex Triple Core Pillow has a unique three compartment construction that allows this generously filled pillow to loft and provide the proper support that weary travelers need. The Pillowtex Triple Core Pillow delivers great value for a hotel pillow at a starting price of $29.95.

 

Pillow Filling: The Pillowtex Triple Core Pillow is filled with three inner chambers of luxurious white duck down and feathers. The inner chamber is comprised of 95% feather/5% duck down while the two outer chambers contain 75% feather/25% down.

Construction: The Triple Core Pillow consists of three chambers. The inner chamber consists of a higher proportion of feathers, which allows the pillow to be supportive. The two outer chambers are filled with more down feather than the inner so that the sleeper’s head is delicately cradled in softness. This three chamber construction also ensures that the fill remains consistently placed within the pillow allowing for even support all night long.

Firmness Level: The Pillowtex Triple Core Down/Feather Pillow is rated medium plus to firm. This is one of the firmest multiple chamber hotel pillows and offers a fantastic sleep experience. However, the sleeper looking for the firmest of pillows should really look to a pillow filled with memory foam or synthetic fill.

Sleeping Position: The Triple Core Pillow is ideal for back or side sleepers.

Price: $29.95-$39.95

Why it’s a top seller: The Pillowtex Triple Core is a top seller since it offers everything you would ever want from a down/feather pillow – support and softness. The inner chamber gives your head support, while the outer chambers allow your head to rest comfortably. And, it is our best value down/feather chambered hotel pillow.

5. Pacific Coast Tria Pillow – Featured in Many Ritz-Carlton Resorts

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Ritz-Carlton is known to provide their guests the Pacific Coast Tria Pillow. This pillow is filled with a greater amount of luxurious down then other Pacific Coast chambered hotel pillows. As such the Pacific Coast Tria Pillow delivers a softer feel when compared to the Pacific Coast Down Surround Pillow featured in many Marriott Hotels. Yet, the three chambers in this pillow means that there is still solid support emanating from the core of the pillow. The Pacific Coast Tria Feather and Down Pillow featured in Ritz-Carlton properties offers an amazing sleep experience that is truly luxurious.

Pillow Filling: Pacific Coast Tria Pillows are filled with duck feather and down that has undergone Pacific Coast’s patented hyper cleaning process. This process ensures that the Pacific Coast Tria Pillow will not cause an allergic reaction.
Construction: The Tria Pillow is built with a pillow-in-a-pillow design. The inner chamber is filled with 95% duck feather and 5% down. The outer chamber is filled with a minimum of 75% down. The inner chamber takes up 83% of the entire pillow while the outer chamber takes up 17% of the pillow.
Firmness Level: Pacific Coast Tria Pillows offer a medium level of support. This is the softest of Pacific Coast’s feather and down chambered hotel pillows.
Sleeping Position: The Pacific Coast Tria Pillow is Ideal for back sleepers. Some stomach sleepers may also enjoy this pillow. This is probably the best pillow for stomach sleepers looking for a chambered hotel pillow.
Price: $59.99-$94.99
Why it’s a top seller: Ritz-Carlton is known for luxurious and elegant rooms that offer more than a luxurious look. They offer a restful night of sleep to all of their guests by placing the Pacific Coast Tria Pillow on their beds. The Tria offers a luxurious down feel while maintaining a support level that won’t leave you with neck pain.

6. Pillowtex Hotel Feather and Down Pillows – Featured in Many Independent Properties

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Independent hotels sometimes do not have the luxury to invest in pillows like other big hotel chains. However, Pillowtex Hotel Feather and Down Pillows are affordable pillows that do not skimp on quality. As such, Pillowtex Hotel Feather and Down Pillows have become very popular in many independent hotels. Moreover, the Pillowtex Hotel Feather and Down Pillow is a top selling hotel pillow on Amazon.com. Lastly, the Pillowtex Hotel Feather and Down Pillow delivers great value to the consumer as you can get two pillows for the price of a typical hotel pillow.

Pillow Filling:  The Pillowtex Hotel Feather and Down Pillows contains 98% white duck feathers and 2% white duck down.

Construction:  This pillow has a single chamber with a 100% down-proof cotton cover with a 230 thread count.

Firmness Level:  This pillow is classified as firm for a down and feather pillow.

Price:  $39.99-$49.99 per set

Sleeping Position:  The Pillowtex Hotel Down and Feather is ideal for back and side sleepers.

Why it’s a top seller:  The Pillowtex Hotel Down and Feather Pillow is a top seller due to its affordability and comfort.

7. Hyatt Hotels are known to feature the Pacific Coast Double Down Surround Pillows

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Hyatt Hotels are known to feature Pacific Coast Double Down Surround Pillows. This pillow has more room in its outer chamber for more luxurious down. This allows the Pacific Coast Double Down Surround Pillow to deliver a softer feel while maintaining an ideal support level.

Pillow Filling:  Pacific Coast Double Down Surround Pillows are filled with Hyperclean duck feather and down. Pacific Coast puts their feather and down through extensive washing to ensure dust mites and other allergens are eliminated from the feather or down fill.

Construction:  The pillow-in-a-pillow design of the Pacific Coast Double Down Surround Pillow allows for this pillow to deliver softness and support. The inner chamber of the pillow is filled with 95% duck feather and 5% duck down. The outer chamber is filled with a minimum of 75% down. The inner chamber takes up 75% of the entire pillow while the outer chamber takes up 25% of the pillow. This leaves more room in the outer chamber for down which allows the pillow to deliver more softness than Pacific Coast’s other hotel pillows.

Firmness Level:  This pillow is considered to deliver a soft to medium support level.

Sleeping Position:  Ideal for stomach and back sleepers

Price:  $59.99-$94.99

Why it’s a top seller:  The Pacific Coast Double Down Surround Pillow offers the pillow-in-a-pillow design commonly found in Pacific Coast hotel pillows, but the outer chamber is larger allowing for more down fill to be present and a softer feel.

8.  Down Lite 50% White Goose Down/50% White Goose Feather Pillow – Featured at Many Westin Hotels

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Westin features the Down Lite 50% White Goose Down/50% White Goose Feather Pillows in many of their hotel rooms. This down/feather pillow is part of the Westin Heavenly Collection, which is loved by many Westin guests. This pillow is great for those looking for a soft yet lofty pillow to recreate your bedroom into an oasis.

Pillow Filling:  The Down Lite 50% Down/50% Feather Pillow is made with premium white goose down and feather.

Construction:  This pillow is a single chamber pillow with 230 thread count covering. The equal combination of down and feathers  allows for a luxurious and comfortable sleep.

Firmness Level:  The Down Lite 50% Down/50% Feather Pillow delivers medium support and a significant amount of loft.

Sleeping Position:  This pillow is ideal for side and back sleepers. Stomach sleepers who want a little more elevation or like to scrunch up their pillow will likely also love this pillow.

Price:  $99.99-$139.99

Why it’s a top seller:  This pillow is a top seller due to it’s ample filling of premium white goose down and feather that allows the head to sink comfortably into this well made pillow. This pillow is simply heavenly.

9. Encompass Group 50% Down/50% Feather Pillow – Featured in Many Sheraton Hotels

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Sheraton is known to feature Encompass Group 50% Down/50% Feather Pillows in many of their hotel rooms. This equal combination of down and feather will satisfy any traveler who craves comfort and support from a hotel pillow. This 50/50 down and feather pillow is also featured at a variety of Starwood Properties. Starwood is the larger ownership group that owns Sheraton Hotels.

Pillow Filling: The Encompass Group 50% Down/50% Feather Pillow is filled with an equal proportion of luxurious down and feather.

Construction: This is a single chamber design pillow has a durable 100% cotton cover that has a double needle sewn edge.

Firmness Level:  The Encompass Group 50% Down/50% Feather Pillow offers soft to medium support.

Sleeping position:  This pillow is ideal for stomach and side sleepers as it offers less support than the other hotel pillows featured here. The pillow has a great deal of loft and is truly luxurious with the amount of down present in the blend of fill.

Price:  $79.99-$99.99

Why it’s a top seller:  The Encompass Group 50% Down/50% Feather Pillow is a top seller due to its luxurious equal proportion of  down and feather. Guests worldwide have enjoyed this pillow for years in many Sheraton Hotels. This is a tried and tested traditional pillow.

 10. Restful Nights Polyester Fiber Pillows – Featured in Many Holiday Inn Express Hotels

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Holiday Inn Properties including those carrying the Holiday Inn Express brand are known to feature Restful Night Synthetic Fill Pillows. These pillows come in two different support levels so the weary traveler can choose the pillow that best meets their needs. The medium support version is great for back sleepers because it provides enough support for your head while maintaining a comfortable and lofty feel. The firm support is great for side sleepers looking to keep in their neck aligned with their spine to keep from getting pesky neck aches.

Pillow Filling:  The Restful Nights Medium and Firm Holiday Inn Pillows are filled with 100% polyester fiber. These particular pillows come in either medium or firm support that allow for them to accommodate a variety of different sleep positions.

Construction:  The Restful Nights Synthetic Fill Pillows are made with a single chamber design filled with 100% polyester fiber to ensure maximum comfort and support. These pillows are branded with the Holiday Inn Logo and also include a free pillow protector with every pillow.

Firmness Level:  These pillows come in a medium and firm version.

Sleeping position:  The medium support version of the Restful Nights Synthetic Fill Pillow is ideal for side sleepers while the firm support version of the pillow is ideal for back sleepers.

Price:  $39.95

Why it’s a top seller:  Holiday Inn Properties like to give a variety of choices to their guests and they take this philosophy to their beds by offering two choices of pillows. This gives Holiday Inn guests options for either a medium pillow for those who love to sleep on their back or a firm pillow for those who are side sleepers. The 100% polyester fill pillows do not lose their shape and loft as quickly as others and maintain a comfortable feel.

 Blog Authors:

Jesse Sanchez, Lead Bedding Expert

Chelsea Duckham, Director of Marketing

Craig Clark- Owner

8 Icy Vacation Destinations

Let me guess, visiting an ice hotel is low on your vacation bucket list.  Not for the outlandish idea, but for the fact that you may never have considered it an option.  This was my initial reaction and I quickly decided that an ice vacation to an icy forest, in winter, was the opposite of my yearly beach vacation dream.  After digging deeper I realized that there was a multitude of exciting aspects of this idea.  For Example, the amazing art, the view of northern lights, and the idea of drinking out of a handmade glass at the ice bar inside of an ice restaurant began to peak my interest.

The following ice retreats are spread over several continents and have a diverse collection of attractions that will attract thousands around the world.

1.   Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

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Surrounded by a village with as many dogs as residents, Jukkasjarvi is home to  The Ice Hotel.  Originating from an art exhibit in 1980 The Ice Hotel has been evolving every year.  As the OG, The Ice Hotel is designed and created from scratch by a new artist, annually.  Everything is created from pulling ice and creating “snice” from the Torne River.  Ice Hotel has established themselves as the grandfather of ice hotels with over 30 years of experience bringing the art of intricate ice sculpture to quaint winter wonderland vacationing.  Sip a martini out of a hand carved ice glass and enjoy the northern lights.

2. Ice Hotel de Glace, Quebec

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This hotel “of ice” features a rustic design full of vaulted ceilings, a chapel, and corridors full of delicately carved columns.  Each suite comes equipped with its own fireplace; despite the contradiction this seems safe.

The bedding for this particular hotel is a little more dynamic than other hotels in this list.  The Hotel de Glace still has a solid ice bed frame, but they also include a wooden inlay that functions as a box-spring.  A top this structure is a thin mattress covered with blankets.  When compared to other sleeping situations these suites are ideal in their comfort, however, most likely still on the stiff side.

3. Aurora Ice Museum, Chena Hot Springs

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Deep in the Alaskan wilderness is the Chena Hot Springs.  This resort combines two polar opposites by bringing its visitors the exquisite fine delicacy of art sculpture and a “sipping bar” alongside a hot springs and spa.  Take advantage of both worlds by viewing the museum, taking ice carving classes, or enjoying the bar.  As evening approaches, dive into a relaxing massage or soak in the springs, while you gaze up at the Aurora Borealis.

4. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway (Formerly Alta)

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As the world’s northernmost Ice Hotel, Sorrisniva’s Igloo Hotel houses 30 suites and a plethora of ice activities along with an ice gallery.  The hotel is built by the staff every year with local ice and snow.  Similar to the Ice Museum, this snow world has both hot and cold amenities.

If you are only able to enjoy the ice lifestyle for so long the friendly Norwegians provide shelter for the southerners.  Whether you sit by the fire in one of the igloo suites or while sipping cocoa in the heated restaurant; there will always be something for everyone to enjoy.

5. SnowHotel, Snow Village, Lainiotie, Finland

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SnowHotel, located inside Snow Village, is built from over 3 million pounds of snow and 660,000 pounds of ice.  Imbedded within the walls, floors, art, and any other place you can imagine are thousands of lights creating an ambiance that is unlike any other hotel that I perused.  SnowHotel has created a fantasy environment that has a certain enchanting quality.  Enter a world that contains the soothing qualities of a sauna, a cozy fireplace, and unique suites that are more intricate than you can imagine.

6. Romanian Ice Hotel, Lake Balea, Romania

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Located high in the mountains of central Romania rests our next ice hotel.  The only access to this remote ice hotel is by cable car revealing a fantastic view of the Fagaras Mountains.  This hotel is not designed for those looking for an all-inclusive resort getaway.  However, once you have completed your trek there is a number of activities that will make the trip unforgettable, including: snowmobiling around Balea Lake, ice sculpting, hiking the peaks and overlooking the world.  If any of that interests you than this should move up on your vacation list.

7. Alpha Resort – Tomamu, Shimukappu, Hokkaido, Japan

The Alpha Resort is the complete opposite of the previous Romanian Ice Hotel.  This resort has it all, including: skiing, hot springs, ice slides, ice restaurant/bar, ice church, ice rink, and much more.  This is not a romantic moonlit diner on the Alps kind of place, but a fun in the snow, family oriented resort.  There is no question that you will run out of energy before you exhaust this resort’s collection of activities.

Alpha Resort has created a vignette showing off some of the features at their hotel.

 

8. Village Igloo, Quebec, Canada

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If you are a fan of camping and experiencing a simpler way of living then this is your destination.  The Igloo retreat in Quebec is a small community of igloos that are padded with soft pine branches.  This is the most minimalistic model of Ice Hotel that I was able to find.  Gather around the campfire for Inuit folklore and enjoy the sounds of nature.  Just in case there is always a night watchman on patrol to provide an extra level of comfort and safety.

 

Blog author: Mike Swisher, Content