The Best Hotel Pillows That Let You Relive Your Vacation At Home

Fill material: Down, feathers, lyocell fibers | Cover fabric: Cotton | Sizes: Standard, queen, king

Pros:

• Triple-chamber design
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Feathers can poke through
• Combination of feathers and down can be noisy

It’s hard to go wrong with The Ritz, and the same is true with the hotel’s signature pillow. Made in the U.S. and designed for comfort and warmth in all seasons, it’s a twist on a traditional down pillow. In addition to soft down, the filling includes a different grade of duck feathers and lyocell fibers for plush, fluffy support. The triple-chamber design helps ensure even fill distribution for a pillow that doesn’t flatten over time. Plus, the whole thing is machine washable, which is a great bonus.

What the reviews say: One Amazon reviewer says, “Just the perfect balance of softness and support. Very luxurious. Will definitely buy more.” Another writes, “The pillow from The Ritz-Carlton is amazing, it’s like lying your head on a fluffy cloud.”

Fill material: Polyester down alternative | Cover fabric: Cotton | Sizes: Queen, king

Pros:

• Sold in sets
• Machine washable
• Certified by Oeko-Tex

Cons:

• May be too lofty for stomach sleepers
• Microfiber can trap heat

These down-alternative pillows from the Beckham Hotel Collection have the soft, fluffy feel of a great hotel pillow for a fraction of the price. They’re sold in sets of two with options for queen and king sizes, and the larger set is just $80. The no-shift design delivers stable support even for sleepers who toss and turn at night, and the cotton cover helps with breathability if you tend to sleep warm. Beckham Hotel Collection pillows are manufactured in an Oeko-Tex Standard-certified factory, which means high safety and environmental standards. They’re also machine washable for easy care.

What the reviews say: “They are full looking and feeling, but not so full that it’s uncomfortable to sleep on,” writes one reviewer. “They are so comfortable and luxurious.” Another says, “They are very comparable to fine hotel pillows.” 

Fill material: Polyester gel fiber | Cover fabric: Cotton | Sizes: Standard, queen, king

Pros:

• Thick and lofty, but not hard
• Gel fiber fill and breathable cover stays cool

Cons:

• Too lofty for stomach sleepers
• May be too tall for petite back sleepers

Side sleepers need a pillow that fills the space between their head and where their shoulder meets the bed. Sobel Westex is a major linen provider to hotels and resorts around the world, and its Hotel Sobella pillow delivers nicely. This thick pillow is filled with extra-fine polyester gel fiber, which gives it a soft, luxurious and plush feel without losing the loft side sleepers need for proper support. Between the gel fiber fill and the 100% cotton cover, this pillow also stays cool and comfortable. It’s a decebt value, too—a king-size pillow costs less than $75.

What the reviews say: One self-described side sleeper confirms, “No more neck pain. It’s the most dense, luxurious, high-quality pillow I’ve ever found.” Another says, “I am a side sleeper, and my wife is a back and side sleeper and we both love these pillows. Doesn’t lose fluff when sleeping on my side at night, which means less waking up to adjust.”

Fill material: Down and feather | Cover fabric: Cotton | Sizes: Standard, queen, king

Pros:

• Finished for durability
• Oeko-Tex certified

Cons:

• Dry cleaning recommended
• May be too lofty for stomach and back sleepers

With a ratio of 25% white down to 75% feather, this luxurious Four Seasons pillow strikes a balance between airy softness and even support. It’s a slightly overstuffed pillow that you can really sink into, giving it a true 5-star feel. The calendered cotton cover (a finish process that makes for a smoother, more lustrous fabric) is double-stitched with piped edges for durability. Plus, the pillow is Oeko-Tex-certified. Keep in mind that Four Seasons recommends dry cleaning only and using a pillow protector as well.

Fill material: Polyester gel fiber | Cover fabric: Polyester | Sizes: Queen, king

Pros:

• Gel fiber doesn’t retain heat
• Choice of firmness

Cons:

• Spot clean only
• No returns accepted

For all their virtues, down and feather pillows can retain body heat, making them uncomfortably warm. If this is an issue for you, consider the Fairmont’s gel fiber pillow. Downlike softness and airiness mimic the feel of real down, without the heat retention. It’s also a good choice for people who suffer from allergies related to down. In addition to queen and king sizes, Fairmont offers a choice of medium or firm, so you can find a pillow to suit your preferences and sleep style. On the downside, these pillows are spot clean only, so it’s wise to cover them with a pillow protector.

What the reviews say: “This pillow provides continuously cool places to put your head, which is lovely on a warm summer’s night,” says one reviewer. Another writes, “I always love the Fairmont beds, and these pillows let me bring a bit back with me. The gel helps keep me cool, too, and it keeps its shape.”

Fill material: Down, feather | Cover fabric: Cotton | Sizes: Standard, queen, king

Pros:

• Certified by Responsible Down Standard
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Medium-density has a softer feel that may not work for all side sleepers
• Feather/down combination can have a crinkling sound

Downlite is the brand behind the hotel pillows found in a number of properties, and this chamber construction style is among the most popular. The design features a supportive goose down/feather core that’s surrounded by fluffy goose down, making for a soft, cloudlike pillow that doesn’t fall flat. It’s also Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, which means the down and feathers used in these pillows comes from geese raised in compliance with strict animal welfare principles. Another bonus? This pillow can be machine washed and dried. The medium density works particularly well for those who prefer a softer feel, but Downlite shares a tip for sleepers who are looking for a touch more firmness: Use a pillow protector that’s one size too small. It condenses the fill for even more support.

What the reviews say: “I love this pillow so much that I bought another one shortly after receiving it,” says one reviewer. Another writes, “These pillows are dreamy. They are lofty, soft and supportive at the same time and have been providing a very comfortable night’s sleep and morning wake-up.”

Fill material: Down alternative, memory foam | Cover fabric: Bamboo viscose | Sizes: Standard, king

Pros:

• Adjustable and customizable
• Breathable cover

Cons:

• Can take some time to find the right combination of layers

While Luxome’s Layr pillow isn’t sold by hotels, this fully customizable option ticks all the boxes for 5-star sleep. The pillow comes with a firm memory foam insert, a medium-firmness gel-infused shredded memory foam insert and an ultra soft down-alternative insert, so you can layer them to suit your preferences. There are even more ways to customize this pillow: The fill in each insert is also adjustable, so you can add or remove material to really dial in the comfort and support that feels right to you. The whole thing is wrapped in natural viscose from bamboo, and both the cover and the inserts are machine washable.
What the reviews say: “We have a total of six of these in our house,” says one reviewer. “They are amazing. Customizable to the person, so soft, great quality.” Another writes, “My wife and I love the ability to customize this pillow. Firmness, softness and thickness can be adjusted to your preference.”

Fill material: Down, feathers | Cover fabric: Cotton | Sizes: Queen, king

Pros:

• Finished with an antimicrobial treatment
• Machine washable

Cons:

• No standard size available
• No down certifications

The St. Regis Feather & Down Pillow features a combination of 75% white feathers and 25% down wrapped in a soft, breathable cotton cover. That gives it a balanced loft and even support, which works well for different sleep styles and those who start in one position but wake up in another. According to the brand, the pillow is finished with an antimicrobial treatment for fresher, cleaner sleep. Plus, it’s machine washable.
What the reviews say: One Amazon reviewer says they’re “worth the money. I am ordering two more.” Another says, “For the price, my husband is thrilled.”