“The Biggest Lessons I’ve Learned About Bedding from Hosting 1000+ Guests”
The superhost behind Captain’s Rest shares her bedding tips for five-star comfort.
What does it take for an Airbnb to take the title of one of Australia's most sought-after accomodations? For host Sarah Andrews, a seasoned host and creator of Captain's Rest, the answer lies in perfecting the art of bedding.
From luxury linens to small but impactful details, Sarah's mastered the craft of creating a sleep experience so good it often ends up in her glowing reviews.
Below, Sarah shares her top tips for turning your guest bed into a sanctuary – whether you’re hosting for Airbnb or sprucing up your spare room for visitors.
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt about bedding from hosting so many guests?
Hosting hundreds from around the world who are in vaycay mode has unexpectedly turned me into an expert on an incredibly niche subject, which always makes me giggle. My friends always laugh when I tell them I am an expert on being on holidays, I’m never sure which turn of events has landed me here, but I sure am glad!
But in all seriousness, a holiday sleeper is an entirely different bed set up then building your own nest at home, and there are a few key points to consider when hosting guests of your own:
Have you seen any trends in bedding preferences change over time?
Over the years we’ve seen a transformation from tucked in, stiff beds with every sheet and throw cushion to a much more relaxed, oversized soft set up. Bedding tends to be moved around the spaces to couches, floors and reading nooks – and hosting has shifted in a sense from formality and politeness to a sense of comfort, fun and nurture – where it's encouraged to curl up with a doona in front of a movie, or in some cases, spread out on the floor in front of a fireplace with a good book.
What are some of the most common bedding preferences you’ve noticed among your guests?
When I first began hosting, I spent years asking most people I'd run into about their bed and bedding preferences, most would tell me they prefer a firm mattress and pillow, and almost all would tell me they loved crisp white hotel cottons. My job, and my passion is to be a bit of a relaxation scientist, so I started with my own preferences – a super plush mattress, soft pillows and soft linen oversized bedding.
To my surprise the very same “strictly firm mattress” people fell in love with the bed set up and reported better sleep than at home. I often have professional guest sleepers such as pilots and those who work on the road such as travel photographers and writers tell me they had the best night's sleep of their life.
Perhaps the difference in softness and plushness triggers a holiday, instead of home mode for our sleepers, so it’s a preference I’ve stuck firmly to.
What are your best practices for maintaining bedding hygiene and freshness?
- Wash bedding on a hot wash to kill bacteria, with a hypoallergenic, fragrance free detergent between every guest, and consider a regular wash and maintenance schedule to care for your pillow and mattress protectors.
- Air and sun are your friends against moisture build up, mould and odours with your pillows, doonas and mattresses. Between guests, it’s best to leave bedding – or hung outside when possible, and pop a note in your diary to replace pillows every 1-2 years, and doonas every 4, as they lose support and cleanliness
- Mattresses need constant care and cleaning. We sprinkle ours with baking soda once a month while it’s airing out – and then a good vacuum with the upholstery attachment will remove dust, allergens, and potential dust mites.
If you could give one piece of advice to new hosts about bedding, what would it be?
Start as simple, durable and as comfortable as you can, and add in styling complexity as you go. It will take time to learn your own routines and systems around bed making, laundering and styling – and often, if you over do it from the outset, bed making becomes a bit of a time sapping nightmare rather than a light joy to prepare.
I always recommend starting with sheets and bedding in colour and pattern combinations and palettes that can be combined, so – if you lose a pillowcase due to staining, which can happen with some medicated face night creams (or, a candle too close to the bed!), you're not in a tizz trying to match a colour that may no longer be in season.
Beds tend to be the single biggest item when hosting a guest or a home in terms of cost, time and attention so start with these tips in mind rather than an aesthetic you are chasing.
For more from Sarah, follow her @sarahandrews.co & @captainsrest
Book your stay at Captain's Rest
Want to start your own Airbnb? Check out The Hosting Masterclass
Shop Captain's Rest
Enjoyed This?
Discover more Airbnb articles.
