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Regardless of how much someone is enjoying their vacation, it’s common for travelers to, at some point, yearn for home, and especially the comfort of their own bed. It’s a sentiment I can usually relate to, but when my husband and I returned from our two-month honeymoon, I found myself excited to be back, yet less than thrilled about the bedroom that awaited us.
Our trip took us across nine countries, checking into some of the most luxurious hotels we’d ever visited (and admittedly some less glamorous ones, too). The experience left me longing for crisp white sheets, luscious beds, and that overall oasis-like feeling that you can only get from a five-star hotel.
So I decided it was time to be more intentional about the setup of our bedroom, not only for comfort’s sake, but also for our overall wellness.
“Since sleep quality and duration are directly tied to other aspects of human health, a bedroom environment that promotes sleep can also improve how you feel while you're awake,” says Tammy Pahel, VP of spa and wellness at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort.
Below, we’re rounding up the essential products you need to curate those five-star-hotel vibes at home, from hotel pillows to top-quality linens, with input from hospitality, wellness, and home goods experts.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Taylor Mead.
Mattresses
Mattresses are the foundation of a quality sleep experience, and the first thing you gleefully plop down on when you arrive at a deluxe hotel. If there’s a category to splurge in, this is it.
For a premium, technologically advanced mattress, order a Bryte Balance Smart Bed. Equipped with a core of up to 90 “smart” cushions, the Bryte Balance mattress senses your movement as you sleep and adjusts the firmness to relieve pressure on strategic points of your body. Bryte Balance also comes with a phone app that tracks your sleep hygiene and signals the bed to give a gentle massage that’ll rock you to sleep.
Of course, not everyone can invest over $6,000 in a mattress. Though Pahel is a fan of Bryte Balance, which is featured at her Miami resort, she recommends the Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze, with its cooling technology, as a slightly more affordable option.
For all of the luxury at an even more accessible price point, the Saatva Classic Luxury Firm mattress (there are three firmness options) is my personal favorite. The soft Euro pillow topper is just the right amount of plush, while the individually pocketed coils underneath are supportive and keep the spine properly aligned—something particularly important for anyone (like me) who has back pain or sleeps in multiple positions throughout the night.
If you’d rather get the exact mattress from your favorite hotel, keep in mind that several brands sell their sleep products online: You can purchase the Marriott innerspring mattress or the Four Seasons Signature Mattress.
No matter what kind of mattress you choose, maintaining the perfect temperature is key to quality sleep, says Vivianne Garcia-Tunon, vice president of wellbeing for Auberge Resorts Collection. That’s why she recommends adding the Eight Sleep Pod mattress cover to your arsenal. It can slip over almost any mattress and attaches to a hub that regulates the temperature. Are you a hot sleeper sharing the bed with someone who’s always cold? No problem. The Eight Sleep Pod lets you set your side of the bed to a cool 65 degrees, while your always chilly partner gets cozy at 75 degrees.
Pillows
“We recommend four to five pillows to truly bring that cozy, hotel bed feeling home,” says Karen Smith, wellness director at Six Senses Ibiza. “Other than bringing a beautiful aesthetic to the key element of a bedroom, quality pillows are a must for optimal sleeping and even when just sitting in bed.”
At Six Senses Ibiza, which has an impressive sleep-focused wellness program, guests will find Hanse’s firm and fluffy pillows, but Smith also points to Naturalmat as an excellent choice for at-home luxury thanks to its variety of goose and duck down pillows, as well as wool for a firmer feel.
Garcia-Turon is also a fan of these natural materials for their luxurious feel. “At Auberge we use pillows that are 25 percent white duck down and 75 percent white duck feather down,” she says, pointing to the Kassatex European white goose down pillow as her top choice.
I can attest that Saatva’s best-selling latex pillow has the same magical qualities as its Classic Mattress: soft and supportive. Plus, the breathable latex means you’ll always be on the cool side of the pillow.
Meanwhile, people interested in the full Four Seasons experience can invest in the company’s hypoallergenic pillows that combine down and feathers, or opt for the delightfully plump down alternative pillows. Brooklinen’s down alternative pillow is also a noteworthy competitor for a much lower price.
Bed linens
Along with hotel pillows, you'll want to invest in some top-quality linens. And where Brooklinen really shines is in the bed sheets category.
“Our Classic Percale Sheets are inspired by that perfectly crisp, luxurious feel we’ve come to know and love from hotel beds,” says Nicolas Lukac, Brooklinen's director of emerging channels, describing these 100 percent cotton, 270 thread count sheets. Other noteworthy products from the brand include the Washed Linen Sheets, which exude the feel of a relaxing summer on the coast, and the Luxury Sateen Sheets, which have a smoother finish.
It’s hard to beat the quality to price ratio of Brooklinen, but for a slightly higher price point, you can treat yourself to Parachute linens, which are a popular choice in several boutique hotels across the US. If you have a higher budget, Pahel recommends Frette products for its “superior comfort, durability, and luxury.” She’s also a fan of Nollapelli for its cooling powers.
For truly hot sleepers, Sijo’s AiryWeight Cooling Eucalyptus bedding is life-changing. The sheets are moisture-wicking, unbelievably soft, hypoallergenic, and great for sensitive skin. Plus, they look and feel almost like silk with the right hint of sheen.
For Garcia-Turon, “beauty rest is an important part of a luxurious in-room experience,” so she suggests taking an extra step to differentiate pillow linens from the rest of the bed. “As a wellbeing practitioner, I recommend the Slip silk pillowcases to help prevent wrinkles and keep your hair smooth throughout the night.”
Accessories and decor
Getting the basics right is definitely a great start, but crafting a lavish atmosphere in your bedroom requires focusing on the overall aesthetic of your space, and making sure you have a few key accessories. “A five-star experience can be achieved by prioritizing style, comfort, and innovation,” Garcia-Turon says.
Whether you need to block out the noise of a snoring partner, a busy street, or even your busy mind, use a sound machine to lull you into dreamland and blackout curtains to help you stay there. Garcia-Turon recommends avoiding technology, as well as using dimmable lights to create an inviting and soothing ambiance that starts priming your brain for sleep well before bedtime.
“The room should be completely dark with no light coming from the outside and no technology in the room,” she says. “At Auberge, we are big fans of this charging station, Aro, that encourages the family to leave all their technology charging in the kitchen.”
Consider the Hatch Restore, which serves as a sound machine and a sunrise alarm—because nothing is more stressful than loud beeping to startle you out of your slumber. It even imitates sunsets to help wind down for the evening, and plays guided meditations, bedtime stories, and other soothing sounds through the free companion app. For a more affordable alternative, albeit with less features, check out this top-selling sunrise alarm clock on Amazon.
Take things up a notch by filling your space with enchanting aromas from Apotheke, a home fragrance brand focused on quality ingredients and long-lasting scents. According to the company’s founder Chrissy Fichtl, reed diffusers are perfect for establishing a consistent signature scent to welcome you home, while candles serve as a great mood-setter.
She recommends using a variety of scents throughout the home: clean and crisp for the bedroom; bright and savory for the kitchen; and fun, seasonal fragrances for the bathroom. “White Vetiver is the ultimate luxury scent,” Fichtl says, but Canvas and Charcoal are other popular options with an upscale feel.
You can also lean on scents that transport you to specific moments from your travels like the Mediterranean-inspired products from Acqua di Parma; the Glasshouse Fragrances that evoke memories of Rio de Janeiro, Kyoto, and beyond; or the oddly specific perfumes, candles, and more by DS & Durga like Big Sur After Rain or Wild Brooklyn Lavender.
“Overall, less is more when curating a space that promotes good sleep and a luxurious atmosphere,” says Smith, noting the minimalist approach found in guest rooms at Six Senses Ibiza. She and Pahel both recommend light, natural, and neutral colors for the walls and decor to help make your bedroom feel relaxing, uncluttered, and spacious.