5-star hotels are renowned for the comfort of their beds

5-star hotels know your sleep experience is the key to complete satisfaction so you won't find cheap bed frames here.

Hardwoods like oak, walnut, and mahogany take centre stage, but some hotels prefer upholstered frames for warmth.

Winged headboards, sleigh beds, intricate wooden carvings, and poster beds are all perfect for creating the grandeur 5-star hotel stayers expect.

Another thing luxury hotels do is masterfully play with scale to enhance their rooms' look and feel, perhaps with a tall headboard to highlight high ceilings or a super-king bed (180cm wide) to showcase the room's width.

But above all else, the bed frame must match the hotel's interior design—minimalist, mid-century modern, or industrial.

Are we going down the expensive route?

There are bed frames that look expensive and those that just are, and most 5-star hotels choose the latter, which can get costly.

For example, the Willis Gambier Ivory Upholstered Bed Frame and Willis Gambier Camille Bed High Foot End look as expensive as their £1k and £2k price tags suggest. They are perfect for traditional hotel suites or extra luxury in the bedroom.

Some hotels want in-built storage at those prices, making hardwood ottoman beds like the Emporer Moderna.

Mid-range stars

The sweet spot for some 5-star hotels is bed frames that cost £500 to £800 for a king, which usually means choosing an upholstered bed.

The Birlea Woodbury is one such option. It is a gorgeous velvet bed frame with built-in drawers, a thick buttoned headboard, and dark wooden feet.

The Birlea Grande is a more 'out there' bed frame, perfect for a maximalist hotel suite with its crushed velvet fabric and metallic buttons.

5-star hotels wanting a more stately look for less should consider a wooden number like the Birlea Margot with its rattan headboard.

Four poster beds

The beauty of a four-poster bed is it looks expensive without actually being expensive.

A perfect case is the Birlea Farringdon with its minimalist design and the Mercia (available in black or white) with a traditional feel.  

You can also get low-poster beds like the Birlea Darin—also available in black or white—for a more relaxed, lounge-like hotel suite.

The mattress

Of course, it doesn't matter what bed frame a 5-star hotel buys if the mattress isn't up to scratch, and this is where the biggest expense goes.

5-star hotel mattresses cost upwards of £1,000 for models like the Giltedge Beds Royal 7000 Mattress and Sleepeezee Centurial 1 Mattress.

Spending over £2k is also possible on a mattress like the Relyon Drayton 3400 Mattress, with its turnable design helping spread out wear and tear.

Natural fillings like wool, mohair, latex, and chemical-free mattresses are the number one choice for 5-star hotels because they don't have a synthetic smell – ideal for unpacking and using immediately.

The bedding

5-star hotels invest in the finest 100% Egyptian cotton bedding (usually organic) and silks to provide the softest, most luxurious sleep experience.

The duvet and pillows are usually hollow fibre (because they are hypoallergenic), but some 5-star hotels use down and feather, or at least offer the option.

The bed sheets and bedding sets are usually plain white, but they sometimes have a light striped or floral pattern for a bit of visual interest.

Summing up

Combining a hardwood or luxurious upholstered bed frame, expensive mattress, and lush bedding gives 5-star hotels the edge for an extravagant sleep experience.

You can replicate the feel at home for less than £1,000, with brands like Relyon and Sleepeezee offering plenty of choice. Add one of our beds – ottoman beds are perfect for a bit of storage – and you're all set for a luxury suite sensation.