Sapphirewood have recently partnered with a fellow Australian company to bring the benefits of commercial mattresses to our customers, delivering beds usually only available in bulk to the hospitality industry. Furthermore, we offer a pricing policy that further discounts when purchased together with our Australian hardwood beds and bedroom suites!
Mattresses can be separated into 3 types- spring, foam/ wool, and hybrid. To understand the pros and cons and help make an informed decision here we outline the differences and which type is preferred by the hospitality industry Worldwide.
We’ve all had those times when we’ve pressed down on the mattress expectantly when arriving at the holiday destination for a well-earned break. The importance of a comfortable mattress received an 81%* response for the top consideration of guests, who are unlikely to return or give a positive review if they’ve been awake all night trying to sleep on a sagging, non-supportive mattress or a rock-hard surface, regardless of how great the pool or restaurant is!
Mattresses used in high end resorts need to have an immediate comfort to give their clients the wow factor that they are looking for. Consumers who want to have that level of comfort in their home need to look for a commercial design. It’s no surprise that many big hotel chains sell their beds on their websites due to overwhelming demand.
Spring
- Pocket Spring
As the name suggests, a pocket spring mattress contains individual springs, each sewn into their own pockets of breathable fabric. This enables each spring to have complete freedom from one another, moving independently and contouring to the body’s shape.
Pocket springs are barrel-shaped, and because they are not wired together, each spring works independently from its neighbours. This allows them to react to pressure independently instead of all together, which minimizes movement and allows for a more supportive feel with greatly reduced partner disturbance.
This independence of spring movement provides excellent support in the shoulder and hip regions to allow the springs to contract more where needs and deliver correct spinal alignment.
- Bonnell Spring
The Bonnell spring was developed in the 19th Century and is still the most popular today in mid-ranged mattresses for their trusted strength and responsive construction. The springs are round-topped, hourglass shaped where the middle narrow coils contract under pressure and respond by holding position and suspending the shoulder and hip regions to avoid sagging. The springs are larger and of a thicker gauge than pocket springs, connected to neighbouring springs with cross wire helicals.
The open structure extending to the mattress’s edge allows for a firm edge and excellent air circulation to avoid heat retention, however the connected springs result in more noticeable partner disturbance than pocket springs or foam mattresses.
Sapphirewood offer two mattresses using the Bonnell system, single-sided Sound Sleepover and double-sided Travelling Dreams
Foam/ Wool
- Memory Foam
Recently with the increase in online sales and persuasive marketing, memory foam mattresses have grown in popularity for their ‘delivered in a vacuum-packed box’ convenience, promising a sumptuous sleep with limited partner disturbance.
Premium memory foam consists of polyurethane as well as additional chemicals to increase its viscosity to enable limited air circulation. Higher-density memory foam softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mould to a warm body in a few minutes. This can initially feel luxurious, however one of the biggest complaints about memory foam is the retention of this heat and throughout the night your body temperature will increase, not very comfortable in the warm Australian climate!
Gel can be added to memory foam in the form of sheets, beads or infused with the foam before the setting process. The latter is far superior in helping cool the mattress and can be found in the Splendour Heaven
Cheaper memory foams often have serious problems, particularly when budget materials are used, and the support and lifespan of the mattress can drastically deteriorate.
- Latex Foam
Although more expensive than memory foam, latex provides nature’s perfect cushioning material. Its strength, durability and elasticity resulting in uniform support whist yielding to the extra pressure exerted in the shoulder and hip regions. It gives firm but gentle support to the contours of your body.
All natural latex mattresses trap less body heat than memory foam and they have an internal open cell structure that allows air circulation.
Natural latex is also fire resistant, unlike memory foam that requires additional chemicals to increase their resistance to fire. Pure latex is also hypoallergenic and resistant to mould and dust mites.
Latex comfort layers can be found in Majestic Cloud and Splendour Heaven
Wool
Often nature provides the best materials, and like latex foam, wool is no exception. There is often a misconception that for those suffering from animal allergies may exacerbate their symptoms, however wool in hypoallergenic and resistant to mould and dust mites.
Wool is also a natural temperature regulator and extremely durable, rendering it an ideal substitute for synthetic foams as a top comfort layer to deliver years of dependable support and luxurious feel.
It is no surprise wool is a desired inclusion in commercial mattresses, and Sapphirewood offer organic wool stitched into the quilting of Blissful Slumber and within the pillowtop of Majestic Cloud
Hybrid
A hybrid mattress combines the benefits of a pocket-spring foundation with the contouring support of foam and natural layers. Different levels of firmness are achieved by changing the comfort layers — you can get one that’s medium Majestic Cloud medium/ firm Blissful Slumber or one that’s as firm as possible Splendour Heaven
However, commercial mattresses need to offer an ideal balance between support and comfort and most lie between medium to medium/ firm with the spring foundation creating the ideal, breathable foundation for the comfort layers, typically a combination of latex, high-resilient (HR) foam, memory foam (this is often added as an egg-box shaped removeable topper) and natural wool.
Hybrid mattresses also provide ample support with the pocket-spring and foam combination, both of which contour to the body and provide pressure point relief wherever your body needs it most: the neck, back, shoulders and hips. This variable support is achieved in the 5-zone construction of Blissful Slumber, and the Majestic Cloud.
The edge support is far superior in hybrid mattresses than foam, an essential benefit for commercial use and customer satisfaction and increasing the overall surface area of where you can actually sleep comfortably.
Conclusion
Often referred to as ’mystery bags’ in the industry due to the plethora of options offered to the domestic market, there can be a misconception that the higher the retail price, the greater the quality of mattress.
Impressive cut-outs displaying the contents and various layers of support and comfort promise a dreamy sleep, explained by a salesperson as you test out numerous options for often brief periods of time.
Consider this: The hospitality industry is focused on providing the best quality mattresses for their guests at the best value, consulting directly with the manufacturers to include the best ingredients. In Australia, the ‘hybrid’ mattress featuring pocket-springs and heat resistant comfort layers continue to grow in the commercial market and ensure minimal partner disturbance, cooling mattress components and therefore uniform body temperature and spinal alignment.
Feel like sleeping on a five-star-resort bed in the comfort of your home whilst saving money for your next holiday? Visit Sapphirewood’s in-store commercial mattresses and judge for yourself!
View our commercial range here Commercial Mattresses
