Choosing a mattress for a STR

[Tucker Long]

Hey All!

Setting up an Air BNB, looking for a new mattress that provides good value. Looks like many people are going with self expanding mattress's Tuft and Needle, Casper, Nest, etc. The conflicting reviews makes it seem impossible to determine what's actually a solid mattress that will hold up, just when I think I've found the one I find some pretty convincing reviews and pics that make it seem like a bad product.

So, any first hand experiences with a mattress you're really happy with in your STR?

[Jon Crosby]

Hi @Tucker Long!  I worked for a company called Sleep Train on the west coast for 20 years until we were acquired by Mattress Firm a few years back. The convenience and price of the 'bed in a box' brands is certainly appealing and actually sort of easy to put into your pro forma as you can just assume you will need a new one every 3-5 years probably and just blend it into your op ex budget.  

However, for me and having a mattress background (and availability to discounted high end mattresses) I went with a more resilient innnerspring/memory foam option for the 3 beds in our VR.  Something similar to the Beautyrest Black Hybrids.  They are not cheap but they have 10 year warrantyies and my guests seem to really like the way they feel. (remember you can always make a bed softer but not firmer, so go with a firmer feel and provide some additional padding as needed)  

I would say the most important thing to buy is a mattress protector however.  I use the ones that actually zip up around the bed (Protect A Bed brand) and the box spring to not only protect the warranty and quality of the mattress BUT they also have the added benefit of preventing bed bugs from colonizing in the mattress.  

Good luck on your bed search!  

Cheers!

~Jon