Pillows.com Blog

February 25, 2014May 13, 2014

The Ultimate Pillow Buying Guide For Side Sleepers

Finding the best sleeping position can be an arduous task that can waste precious sleeping time. For me, sleeping on my side is the only position that feels right. Making sure that you have the right pillow for your sleep style is essential to effortless sleep. Knowing what you are looking for will make your pillow shopping experience smoother and more successful.

Side Sleeping Benefits

-Can reduce snoring
-Left side sleeping allows stomach to cradle its contents and can reduce acid reflux.
-Left side sleeping may facilitate more effective lymph node drainage, than right side sleeping.
-Centering your head with your spine can diminish neck and back pain.
-Increase in blood flow and comfort during pregnancies.

Pillow Design features to look for:

-High loft: Thickness of pillow from bed to head
-Gussetted: An extra piece around the edge that can increase the amount of fill and thickness, opposed to tapered edge. (Photo below)
-A firmer pillow will make sure that your head stays in the right place all night long.

Pillow Fills:

There are different fill types within pillows that give them different attributes for different styles of sleeping. The main fill materials are: Down & Feather, Polyester, Latex, and Memory Foam.

Down & Feather

Down & Feather options can be on the softer side, so look for a pillow with a higher fill volume and higher % of feather that will provide enough support for a side sleeper. Down clusters are softer than regular feathers, so make sure there is a high content of feathers.

Features to look for:

-Feather fill is firmer than down fill – Finding a pillow with a higher percentage of feathers to down will make a firmer more supportive pillow.
-Multi-chambered pillows – Some Down and Feather pillows have a smaller pillow in the center that functions as a hard core that is surrounded by a 100% down fill. These pillows can work as a side sleeper if you do not have broad shoulders.

Try an Overstuffed pillow by Phoenix Down or a Pillowtex 95% Feather/5% Down

Polyester

Polyester has a wide range of fill types and designs, resulting in a pillow category that is the most diverse and functional with all sleep types.

Features to look for:

-Polyester can come in a wide range of firmness. A firmer pillow will be ideal for a side sleeping position.
– A pillow with a high loft, or thickness, will have the support that is required for sleeping on one’s side.

Try a Beyond Down Side Sleeper Pillow by Carpenter ® or Restful Nights ® UltraFlow polyester pillow – Featured at many Marriott ® Hotels

Memory Foam & Latex Pillows

Memory foam is effective at giving support while conforming to the sleepers head. A memory foam pillow that is thicker will always give the sleeper more support. Latex on the other hand is all support. These pillows maintain their shape and provide a solid surface that stays consistent over time. If you want a stiff pillow that will prop your head up, then this is your pillow.

Memory Foam features:

-Supportive and conforming.
-Look for thick pillows that will keep your head aligned with your back.

Try a Dough Memory Foam High Profile Pillow by Malouf ®

Latex features

Latex foam is a bit springy compared to memory foam, which allows it to hold it’s shape better and thus supports and aligns your neck,head,and shoulders.

Try a Latex International ® Classic High Profile Pillow

Let’s us know what your favorite side sleeper pillow is! We love your feedback!

Blog Author – Mike Swisher, Assistant Channel Manager

January 31, 2014May 13, 2014

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

January 20, 2014

How To Choose A Down/Feather Pillow

Benefits of down pillows

Down and feather has been the go to choice for fill in pillows since the beginning of pillow time. This is because down is a natural insulator which can offer warmth in addition to luxurious softness. Feather and down pillows are also diverse because feather and down can be used in different combinations that can offer different levels of firmness ranging from sumptuously soft to firm and supportive. Knowing how different combinations offer different levels of firmness, will help to determine what pillow might be right for you, so here is a breakdown that will hopefully help you to find your perfect feather and/or down pillow.

While down can keep you warm in those colder months, it is also a natural fill that breathes, which means that it will allow airflow both ways, dispersing heat better than synthetic options that can trap it and make you clammy and uncomfortable throughout the night.

Photo cred: Wikipedia

Down clusters are these luxuriously soft, fluffy, little cotton-ball like feathers closest to the bird’s (goose or duck) skin which offer protection and warmth. Down is light and fluffy and has tiny fiber like feathers without a quill. The quality of these little clusters is determined by their fill power, which means the amount of space in cubic inches 1 ounce of down will occupy; basically, measuring the amount of fluff that the cluster offers. The bigger the cluster, the more air it can hold which means the warmer and loftier it will be.

Support and Recommendations

Down pillows are going offer the softest support. While the down does hold air, it also compresses under pressure and will lend a lot of “give”. Down pillows are wonderful if you’re looking for something that you can sink into. This is ideal for stomach sleepers since the pillow will be soft and comfortable on your face and will allow you to sink in enough to where you’re head isn’t propped up to high.

If you need something with a bit more support but still crave the down like softness, a pillow with 50% feather and 50% down would be a great alternative. The larger feathers on the outside of the bird (with the quill) are strong and resilient and lend support to a pillow. The equal combination of both offers a nice balance between softness and support.

Pillows with 75% feather 25% down pillows offer enough support for side sleepers. The higher percentage of feather helps the pillow to maintain its shape, keeping your head and neck aligned throughout the night. 75/25 pillows are great because they’re not too hard and not too soft and will provide both loft and support for side sleepers.

If it’s something firm that you’re looking for, I’d recommend a 95% feather 5% down pillow. The very high feather content will lend support and firmness to the pillow. 95/5 pillows will be the firmest option for someone looking for a very supportive feather and down bed pillow.

The descriptions above do describe a very general range of pillows and there are others that have inner chambers with different combinations of feathers and down but as long as you remember that feather=firmer, down=softer, you’ll be able to get a good idea of the support level offered in different pillows.

Blog Author: Monique, Lead Bedding Expert