Creating a consistently excellent guest experience starts with the basics, and nothing is more essential than the sleep experience. Whether you're operating in a beach market or a ski town, how you build the bed directly impacts guest satisfaction, team efficiency, and your bottom line. 

Here’s how we break it down by market type: 

Beach Markets 

High heat, humidity, bed bug concerns, and fast-paced turn days call for breathable bedding that can take a beating without sacrificing comfort. 

Mattress Encasement 

Full protection is non-negotiable. A zippered encasement blocks bed bugs and shields the mattress from moisture, spills, and stains. 

Mattress Pad 

Your washable layer of defense. It adds comfort, extends mattress life, and protects your investment. Choose one that’s waterproof with a few layers of padding. Anchor bands help keep it in place on even the busiest turn days. 

Sheets 

We recommend 100% cotton or a cotton/poly blend. Cotton offers a breathable, premium feel, while a blend is more cost-effective and resists wrinkles. Many partners choose blends for their balance of comfort and easy care. 

Quilt Topper

Lightweight and breathable wins. Choose a quilt that’s quick to launder, easy for your team to turn, and keeps guests comfortable without overheating. 

Ski Markets 

Colder markets call for more layers, but the formula is still built on comfort, consistency, and a setup your team can replicate across every property. 

Mattress Encasement 

Same rules apply. Cold weather doesn’t remove the need for full mattress protection. 

Mattress Pad

Keep it sturdy, soft, and washable. This layer should hold up through frequent laundering without losing shape. 

Sheets

We still recommend cotton or cotton/poly blend. Microfiber may be tempting for cost, but it sleeps hot, pills fast, and doesn’t breathe. 

Duvet Cover + Insert

A duvet brings warmth and a touch of luxury. Wash covers frequently—ideally every turn—and choose an insert that’s warm enough for your coldest winter nights. 

Quilt Topper or Plush Blanket

An optional final layer that brings the cozy factor. Whether it’s a soft blanket or an additional quilt, choose something that looks good, washes well, and holds up in volume. 

Triple Sheeting 

Hotels may swear by triple sheeting, but in vacation rentals it rarely works in your favor. It slows your team down, increases laundry volume, and often looks sloppy after the first night. With multiple housekeeping crews, training becomes a challenge. If the process isn’t followed exactly, the mattress or insert can start showing. Those pieces aren’t washed every turn and can end up stained, creating a poor guest impression. What seems like a shortcut is actually more complicated and doesn’t deliver the best sleep experience. 

Microfiber 

Microfiber may be budget-friendly, but you get what you pay for. Made from 100% polyester, it sleeps hot, builds static, attracts hair, and pills quickly. While saving on linens can be tempting, the guest experience takes a hit. A cotton/poly blend is only a small step up in price and delivers a much bigger return in comfort, durability, and overall presentation. 

Why Standardization Wins 

The bed is one of the most talked-about elements in guest reviews. Clean, comfortable bedding that looks and feels intentional builds trust and helps boost your star rating. Standardizing your setup not only elevates the guest experience, it also makes life easier for your team. Training is faster, visual consistency improves, and reordering becomes simple. You’re not reinventing the wheel at every property. Your team knows exactly what goes where, and your guests get a reliable, high-quality experience every time. 

We’ll Help You Get It There 

At Inhaven, we help professional managers simplify sourcing and streamline their operations. Our Linen Calculator makes it easy to model cost scenarios for your linen program, set accurate par levels, and ensure you’re recouping costs. From establishing your standards to keeping them consistent across your portfolio, we’re your partner every step of the way. 

Need help building your linen program? 

Reach out to hello@inhaven.com or schedule a demo with one of our experts. We’ll walk you through it.