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Uncomfortable Hotel Bed? Here’s How to Fix It

Hands putting small stack of towels on a hotel bed
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When you check into a hotel and finally make it up to your room, the first thing you might want to do is fall back onto the bed and take a few minutes to relax. But what if you notice right away that your hotel bed is uncomfortable? How are you supposed to enjoy your time away from home if you won’t be able to get any rest on a hard or lumpy bed?

While you probably aren’t going to convince the hotel staff to swap out your bed, there are things you can do to improve the situation. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to make hotel beds more comfortable, you’re in the right place.

With just a few tips and tricks, your hotel bed can end up making you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud—the best way to enjoy a vacation!

Support a Sagging Mattress

A person makes a bed, tucking in a fitted sheet.
JulieK2/Shutterstock.com

Let’s face it: a lot of people stay in hotels, and the staff isn’t changing out the mattresses every day. Over time, no matter the quality of a mattress, it can start to sag with use. Unfortunately, that can make it difficult to sleep comfortably.

A sagging mattress can cause your body to shift out of alignment. You could have a hard time feeling comfortable at night, and you’re more likely to experience back pain in the morning.

Thankfully, you can add more support to a saggy mattress by sliding a few things beneath it. Ask for a few extra bath towels, roll them up, and slip them underneath the sagging area to provide more support. It will improve alignment and reduce the “dip” in the bed that might otherwise keep you awake and uncomfortable.

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Ask for Extra Comforters

Woman diving onto a comfortable white bed
Undrey/Shutterstock.com

Don’t be afraid to request a little help from hotel staff if your bed is uncomfortable. If the mattress is too hard for your liking, ask for a few extra comforters. The staff can either put them on for you, or you can place them over the mattress yourself.

Comforters are designed to provide warmth and comfort, but they can also add a few layers of “cushion” to a hard mattress, creating a more cloud-like sleeping experience. You can even try this trick at home if you’re tired of dealing with a hard mattress.

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BYOS—Bring Your Own Sheets!

Young woman putting white sheets on a hotel bed
Elizaveta Galitckaia/Shutterstock.com

Bringing sheets from home won’t change the feel of an uncomfortable mattress. But sleeping on sheets you’re familiar with and ones you know make you comfortable will make a big difference.

Plus, if you have any allergies or sensitive skin, hotel sheets don’t always feel great. When you bring sheets from home that don’t irritate your skin, you’ll sleep more soundly. Sheets don’t take up a lot of space in a suitcase, and it’s a simple addition that can help you get the rest you deserve while you’re away from home. Take a few minutes to strip the hotel bed of the provided sheets, and make your bed the way you like with sheets that keep you comfortable.

King Size Sheet Set

Luxury bed sheets will keep you comfortable no matter where you're sleeping.

Try a Sleepy Scent

Woman sleeping soundly on a comfortable white bed
Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock.com

Maybe your hotel bed is uncomfortable, but you’ve tried a few other tricks, and nothing seems to be working. At that point, your mind has probably been made up that you’re not going to get any sleep.

So, try something that can help you relax and lull you into a peaceful rest. If you can’t do anything else to change the bed itself, try a calming bed spray. Scents like lavender are wonderful for relaxation and sleep promotion. By using a linen or room spray, you can “trick” your mind into being more relaxed. You’re less likely to think about the uncomfortable bed, and you’ll finally get some shut-eye thanks to the power of aromatherapy.

DRMTLGY Natural Lavender & Chamomile Linen Mist and Room Spray

Aromatherapy can work wonders if you're having a hard time falling asleep.

Change Rooms

Hotel room door with key in lock
Dragon Images/Shutterstock.com

Sometimes, no matter what you do and even if you know how to make hotel beds more comfortable, the mattress or bed frame just won’t work for you. Remember, you’ve paid to be a guest at your hotel. You deserve to feel comfortable and well-rested.

So, don’t be afraid to ask about changing rooms. While it’s not always possible, hotel management is usually willing to do whatever it takes to ensure you have a positive experience.

That doesn’t mean you need to complain about your bed or demand a change from staff. If you’re respectful and courteous and explain the situation calmly, you’re more likely to get a positive response and a room change as quickly as possible. It’s okay to unleash your inner Goldilocks and change to a bed that’s “just right.”

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Durable luggage makes traveling (and room-swapping) much easier!

Whether you’re traveling for work, a family vacation, or a solo trip to get away from everyday stress, you deserve a good night’s sleep when you’re away from home. You might be in charge of everything from your itinerary to the style of room you choose, but you can’t hand-select your bed. It can be disappointing if you try to rest only to find that your hotel bed isn’t up to par.

But you don’t have to be disappointed for long.

Keep these tips in mind if your hotel bed is uncomfortable, and with a few simple adjustments, you can drift off to dreamland with ease.

Stacey Koziel Stacey Koziel
Stacey Koziel is a news writer at LifeSavvy. She's worked as a freelance writer for over ten years, focusing on family and lifestyle content. She also has a background in marketing and social media, and is always eager to talk (and write!) about the latest TikTok trends. Read Full Bio »
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