The Princess and her 5 star reviews
The Best Mattresses for Vacation Rentals: The COMBO APPROACH Experienced Hosts Actually Recommend
One of the most overlooked keys to glowing 5-star reviews in short-term rentals? The bed. More specifically: the perfect marriage between the right mattress and a well-chosen topper.
In sifting through hundreds of vacation rental host discussions, one message comes through loud and clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all mattress. But there are best practices that consistently earn praise from guests and protect your bottom line. Here’s what we found from top-rated hosts across multiple STR forums.
Firmness Matters—But Only in Layers
While some guests love a firmer base, others describe it as “sleeping on rocks.” The sweet spot? A medium-firm mattress paired with a plush topper. This combo allows for broad appeal: support for the back, with softness up top for comfort. Firm mattresses tend to hold up better under wear and tear, and a topper lets you dial in the “feel” for guests without replacing the entire bed.
Memory Foam vs. Hybrid vs. Traditional Spring
Memory Foam: The most commonly praised for comfort and affordability. Easy to buy in a box, memory foam also simplifies turnovers due to its lighter weight and typically lower profile. The downside? Some retain heat, so look for “cooling” gel-infused versions.
Hybrid: These combine foam with inner springs for motion isolation and bounce. Many hosts say they offer the best of both worlds—particularly when paired with a topper. However, hybrids are heavier and trickier to rotate.
Traditional Spring: Less common now, but still in use. They’re easy to find and tend to be firmer, but sagging is more likely over time without rotation.
Thickness: The Goldilocks Zone
Hosts reported the most satisfaction with mattresses in the 10” to 14” range. Below 10” feels too skimpy. More than 14” can be too tall—especially when combined with toppers and modern platform beds—making bedmaking harder and risking toppers sliding off.
Don’t Skip the Topper
Across the board, mattress toppers were game-changers. A 3” to 4” gel-infused memory foam topper transforms even a budget mattress into a cloud-like sleep surface. They're also easy to clean or replace without swapping out the whole mattress.
Top-rated options include:
Cooling gel-infused toppers to offset heat-retentive mattresses.
Pillow top or down-alternative covers for guests who want extra fluff.
Cleanability and Protection: Must-Haves for STRs
Comfort is only half the equation. Hosts consistently emphasized:
Waterproof, breathable mattress protectors: Guard against spills, sweat, and yes—bed bugs.
Zippered encasements: A smart layer of defense against pests and allergens.
Easy-clean toppers and covers: Choose toppers with removable covers for quick laundering between stays.
Also key: rotation every 3–6 months to extend mattress lifespan and avoid body impressions.
Bonus Tip: Communicate Clearly in Listings
If your mattress leans toward firm or plush, say so. Guests appreciate honesty, and it helps avoid negative surprises. Some successful hosts even include the mattress brand/model in their listing or offer guests the choice to add a topper stored in the closet.
Final Word
If your Airbnb mattress isn’t earning you compliments, it’s costing you reviews. Prioritize a firm, affordable base, add a cloud-like topper, protect everything with encasements, and rotate regularly. Comfort is subjective—but attention to detail isn’t.
Want more tips like this? Sign up for our host product curation newsletter and we’ll send our best tested picks—direct from real STR owners.
