Travel Products Activity + Adventure Sports + Leisure The 12 Best Hotel Pillows of 2023 The Beckham Hotel Collection Luxury Gel Pillow two-pack is our top pick. By Rena Behar Rena Behar Instagram Twitter Website Rena Behar is a freelance journalist and editor focusing on tech, travel, and gender. She has contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 5, 2022 Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact checker, and researcher with more than 25 years’ experience in consumer-oriented content. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Casper / Brooklyn Bedding A luxe hotel bed is the cherry on top of any five-star vacation so, why not recreate that resort feeling at home with the help of a luxury pillow? Not only will it make bedtime feel like vacation, it will also help keep your back and neck happy. “Finding the right pillow is an important part of setting the stage for high-quality sleep, as it helps your sleeping posture,” says Dr. Suzanne Gorovoy, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist with a behavioral sleep medicine specialization and scientific advisor to Sleep Reset. “When you have a pillow that supports healthy posture, your neck, shoulders, back, and hips will get the support that they need and help you to wake feeling refreshed and without discomfort. Shoppers should consider a few different criteria when shopping for a pillow, such as size, type of fill, and fabric.” “There's no perfect pillow for everyone,” says Dr. Grant K. Radermacher of Ascent Chiropractic. “What's more important is figuring out what your body needs to keep your neck supported in a neutral position while you sleep.” Our favorite is the Beckham Hotel Collection Luxury Gel Pillow for quality materials, easy maintenance, and a flexible memory foam fill that will suit any sleep style — plus, it comes in a pack of two. Even if your pillow of choice includes a removable cover, remember you should always use a pillowcase (that’s changed regularly) to prolong its life and keep things clean. These are the best hotel pillows: Our Top Picks Best Overall: Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows at Amazon Jump to Review Most Firm: Casper Original Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best Orthopedic: SensorPedic Classic Contour Memory Foam Pillows at Belk.com Jump to Review Best for Side Sleepers: Honeydew Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best Down: Matouk Valletto 3-chamber Pillow at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Down Alternative: Cozsinoor Luxury Down Alternative Pillows at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Neck Pain: Avocado Molded Latex Pillow at Avocadogreenmattress.com Jump to Review Best for Stomach Sleepers: Layla Kapok Pillow at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Back Sleepers: Saatva Latex Pillow at Saatva Jump to Review Best Hypoallergenic: Parachute Down Alternative Pillow at Parachute Jump to Review Best Overall Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows, Set of 2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Why We Love It This pillow will shape to any sleep position and keep you cool in the process. What to Consider Not everyone likes the firm feel of foam. Beckham claims this plush pillow can suit any sleeping style thanks to its memory-foam, gel-fiber fill that will shape around your head. That fill makes the pillow both extra plush and cooling, so you won’t be flipping it over and over to find that elusive cool side. It also means the rest of the pillow won’t shift around as you move. Coming in a set of two, this style is also fade- and stain-resistant and machine-washable, so it'll stay looking fresh for a long time (though this isn’t an excuse to skip the pillowcase). The outer shell is made of cotton, and the pillows are also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, which means they’ve been tested and found to be free of substances that are harmful to human health, so you can sleep soundly in that regard, too. Price at time of publish: $47 for queen-size pack of 2 The Details: Cotton | Gel memory foam | Queen, king Most Firm Casper Original Pillow 4.2 Casper View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart Why We Love It The unique “pillow in a pillow” design provides extra support. What to Consider If you’re avoiding synthetics, note that the fill is made of polyester. Casper takes the same engineering they use in their popular mattresses and brings it to their pillows as well. They describe this as a “pillow in pillow” design — a soft outer pillow wraps around a supportive inner pillow. The polyester microfiber down-alternative fill is designed to be anti-clumping, so all it takes is one fluff and you’ll be back to full plushness. There are longer fibers in the outer pillow, for a lighter feel, and then shorter fibers in the inner pillow keep it supportive and allow it to move with you. The sides of the outer pillow are also joined together with a thicker-than-usual 2-inch gusset to help it stay lofty, and the cotton exterior is made with a “breathable percale weave” so it stays cool. When you’re ready to clean it, just separate the inner and outer pillows and throw them both in the washing machine. Price at time of publish: $65 for standard The Details: Cotton | Polyester microfiber | Standard, king Best Orthopedic SensorPedic Classic Contour Memory Foam Pillow, Set of 2 Wayfair View On Belk.com View On Wayfair Why We Love It The curves of this pillow help keep you aligned, while other features keep you cool. What to Consider This is too high for stomach sleepers. “If you're able to get comfortable with the firmness of a memory foam block pillow, I'd recommend it over more malleable fills like down, poly-fil, or natural fiber materials,” says Radermacher. SensorPedic’s contour pillow (sold as a set of 2) boasts a curved shape designed to provide ergonomic support for your head, neck, and shoulders with its dip in the middle. It’s also packed with odor-free, open-cell memory foam to keep that support going. Rather than getting too dense and warm, the open-cell design keeps this pillow cool, as does a ventilated system and a circular-knit fabric cover to help air flow and disperse heat. The foam is also antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, for all the sensitive sleepers out there, and the cover is removable, so it’s easy to clean. Stomach sleepers should avoid this model, though, as it will position them too high up. Price at time of publish: $60 for 2-pack The Details: Polyester, rayon | Memory foam | Standard Best for Side Sleepers Honeydew Scrumptious Side Sleeper Pillow Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It provides the best possible fit for side sleepers with an adjustable, cooling fill. What to Consider The curved lower side may take some getting used to at first. Snuggle your shoulders into Honeydew’s side-sleeper pillow, the best pick for those who need that side support. “Side sleepers generally need more loft than back or stomach sleepers because a thicker profile helps ensure the head, neck, and shoulders stay aligned with the spine,” says Dr. Michael J. Breus of The Sleep Doctor. “Pillows specifically designed for side sleepers often have oblong shapes for cradling the head without sacrificing neck support.” This pillow’s curved lower half means that you get extra space for your neck and shoulders to settle into alignment. The blend of copper-infused memory foam filling and fiber provides both support and cooling. If it feels too tall or firm, simply remove some of the fill until it’s at your preferred level. The pillows are made in Southern California with Honeydew’s specific proprietary fill combo, and all fabrics are Oeko-Tex-certified; the inner foam is CertiPur-US-certified as well, meaning it’s made without ozone depleters, heavy metals, or formaldehyde and has low VOC emissions. Price at time of publish: $130 for queen-size The Details: Viscose, polyester, elastane | Gel memory foam | Queen, king Best Down Matouk Valletto 3-chamber Pillow Matouk View On Nordstrom View On Matouk.com Why We Love It These super-fluffy pillows are available in a slew of sizes and styles and ethically sourced. What to Consider Down can have a little more sinkage than foam. Matouk is known for their super luxurious sheets, and their pillows are just as plush. This fluffy down pillow comes in standard, queen, and king sizes and soft, medium, and firm support levels so you can customize it for every room and sleeper in your house. “Down from geese or ducks is an exceptionally soft and lightweight material. Most down pillows sink deeply beneath the head and neck. Some use feathers — which offer more support than down — to provide extra reinforcement and prevent excessive sinkage,” says Breus. The filling here is all DownPass-certified, which means the supply chain is fully traceable all the way to the source to make sure all practices involved are ethical and sustainable. It’s stuffed with 650-fill power down for plenty of loft, and wrapped in a smooth cotton shell.The pillows are also Oeko-Tex certified, so are free of any potentially harmful substances. Just machine wash and tumble dry them if they start feeling dirty. Price at time of publish: $275 for king-size The Details: Cotton sateen | Down, feather | Standard, queen, king The 10 Best Gentle Alarm Clocks of 2023 Best Down Alternative Cozsinoor Luxury Down Alternative Pillows, Set of 2 Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It It stays super fluffy without feathers. What to Consider It needs 24 hours after opening to fluff up fully. If you’re avoiding down for any reason but still want that fluffy feeling, a down alternative is for you. “Down alternative fibers are usually made from polyester and are designed to mimic the natural softness of real down without the expensive price-point,” notes Breus. Rather than down, this set of two pillows is filled with a soft microfiber. The hollow fibers of the filling are designed for a “slow rebound,” meaning it will support you no matter how much you toss and turn. The pillow also allows for better airflow so you won’t wake up sweaty, as does the cooling cover. Since it is fairly high and fluffy, it’s better for back and side sleepers than stomach ones. It is also machine-washable, so you don’t need to worry too much about maintenance beyond regular washing. Price at time of publish: $50 for king-size pack of 2 The Details: Polyester | Down alternative | Standard, queen, king Best for Neck Pain Avocado Molded Latex Pillow Avocado View On Avocadogreenmattress.com Why We Love It The latex fill provides extra support. What to Consider This pillow is not stomach-sleeper friendly. If you’re experiencing neck or back pain during the day, it’s worth examining how you’ve been sleeping. “Latex is a good alternative for people who enjoy the contouring of memory foam but need more overall support,” says Breus. “Latex is a naturally responsive material, so you’ll feel more bounce from a latex pillow as opposed to the slow sinkage of foam.” The latex core is infused with charcoal, allowing it to “reduce odor and manage temperature and moisture” so you’ll stay fresh all night. Not sure about it? Avocado has a 100-night trial period so you can sleep on it for a while. Price at time of publish: $129 for standard The Details: Cotton | Latex | Standard, queen, king Best for Stomach Sleepers Layla Kapok Pillow Layla View On Amazon View On Laylasleep.com Why We Love It The super-airy pillow can be adjusted to your desired height while conforming to your contours. What to Consider Only the cover is washable. “Sleeping on your stomach is generally the worst position for your neck and back, but if you’ve slept on your stomach your entire life and absolutely can’t get to sleep any other way, use a thin pillow or no pillow at all,” says Radermacher. “The flatter the pillow, the less angled your head and neck will be.” Layla’s Kapok pillow earned our top pick for stomach sleepers due to its adjustable fill — simply remove as much of it as you need in order to find that flat level. The kapok fibers in the fill (made from the seed pods of the kapok tree) are soft and breathable, and combined with the memory foam, will curve around your body. Price at time of publish: $109 for queen-size The Details: Polyester, viscose, poly/lycra blend | Memory foam, kapok fiber | Queen, king Best for Back Sleepers Saatva Latex Pillow 4.3 Saatva View On Saatva Why We Love It The latex fill of this pillow provides superior support and breathability. What to Consider This is definitely a high-loft pillow. “If you sleep on your back, then a pillow with mid-range loft will probably feel most comfortable,” says Breus. “The best pillow for back sleepers keeps the head and neck even with the body without sinking or elevating these areas too much.” Saatva takes their mattress expertise and applies it to a smaller cushion with their latex pillow. Saatva claims latex is the most durable sleep material on the market; it both excels at relieving pressure and is super breathable. They’ve stuffed this pillow with a shredded natural latex core to support their claim. There’s also a removable inner pillow filled with a down-like microdenier fiber that’s both hypoallergenic and breathable, and the cotton pillow cover is machine-washable for easy maintenance. Price at time of publish: $165 for queen-size The Details: Cotton sateen | Microdenier fiber | Queen, king Best Hypoallergenic Parachute Down Alternative Pillow 4.9 Parachute-down View On Parachute Why We Love It This pillow is super-soft and available in multiple firmness options without the allergy-prone sneezes. What to Consider It isn’t recommended for side sleepers. We love Parachute’s sheets, so why not complete the set? Especially when you can snag a pillow fluffed with down-alternative microfiber fill that’s designed to be 100 percent hypoallergenic, so no sneezing or sniffling will keep anyone up. Choose between soft, medium, and firm styles depending on your sleep position; Parachute recommends soft for stomach sleepers, medium for combination sleepers, and firm for back sleepers. (They have a separate pillow entirely for the side-inclined.) The seams are reinforced with double stitching, so nothing will sneak out, and the pillow can be dry cleaned or machine washed so you have multiple ways to keep it clean. Price at time of publish: starts at $79 for standard The Details: Cotton | Microfiber | Standard, king The Best Luxury Hotel Bedding for Five-star Sleep in 2023 Best Cooling Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling Memory Foam Pillow 4.2 Brooklyn Bedding View On Brooklynbedding.com Why We Love It It’s loaded with features to keep you cool and comes in two different profiles. What to Consider The brand doesn’t specify the exact fabric of the cover. Hot sleepers are all too familiar with the night-long struggle of flipping the pillow in search of that elusive cool spot. “The best fabrics for cooling include organic cotton, silk, rayon derived from bamboo, and fabric blends infused with heat-dissipating phase change material,” says Breus. Brooklyn Bedding’s cooling memory foam pillow solves that dilemma with its open-cell memory foam, which uses pin core ventilation to increase airflow along with a cooling gel surface that draws heat away from you. The cover is made of a circular knit as well for extra breathability. Opt for a low or high profile style, depending on whether you sleep on your front or back. The pillows are machine-washable and include a 3-year warranty for any defects so you can rest assured your investment is safe. In addition to keeping you cool, they’re also allergen-resistant and antimicrobial, so you’ll likely stay congestion-free as well. Price at time of publish: $129 for queen-size The Details: Circular knit | Foam | Queen, king Best Organic Birch by Helix Organic Pillow Birch by Helix View On Birchliving.com Why We Love It Helix has checked out every step of their material sourcing and supply chain process. What to Consider This pillow is spot-clean only. Another pillow from a mattress company, the Birch by Helix takes Helix’s expertise at making the biggest pillow of all and shrinks it to pillow size. Organic, breathable cotton wraps around a layer of organic wool, which is both plush and moisture-wicking. The core is then made of shredded natural latex for support, so the pillow maintains its shape. Birch describes themselves as “committed to only using organic and natural materials that pass rigorous testing and achieve the highest ratings and standards.” They also make sure their partners use ethical practices and responsible sourcing. If you aren’t quite ready to commit, you can get a 100-night trial, and the pillow also comes with a one-year warranty should it fail you. Price at time of publish: $99 for standard The Details: Cotton | Wool, latex | Standard, king Tips for Buying a Hotel Pillow Consider the filling material The fill of a pillow can make a dramatic difference in how it feels to sleep on it, and there’s a wide variety of fillings on the market. “It’s important to select the pillow filling that best aligns with your sleeping preferences and lifestyle,” says Gorovoy. She recommends considering the price, support level, maintenance, and whether the pillow is hypoallergenic. Know your preferred sleep style You can’t truly find the best hotel pillow for you without considering, well, you. Specifically, what position do you usually sleep in? “When choosing a pillow, it’s important to think about the curve of your neck in your favorite sleeping position,” says Gorovoy. “You want to choose a pillow that fills in that curve while giving your head enough ergonomic support.” Gorovy recommends that back sleepers “look for a pillow that fills the space between your neck and bed. Your pillow needs to support your head, neck, and the natural curve of your shoulders,” she says. Stomach sleepers, meanwhile, “need a small, flat pillow to keep your head level and even” or can even go pillowless. Side sleepers should go for the thickest pillow of the three. “The pillow you choose should fill in the space between your ear and the bed,” she says. “You can also place a pillow between your knees to align your spine and remove the stress from your hips and lower back.” Frequently Asked Questions How do I clean pillows? Most pillows are machine-washable, but not all, and not necessarily with every part. “It’s important to check the manufacturer’s tag for specific cleaning instructions for your specific pillow,” says Gorovoy. “For machine-washable pillows, remove the covers and wash both pieces separately in cold water on a gentle cycle. Use mild soap (no bleach or fabric softener). Rinse well, then tumble dry low until damp dry. Reshape while still damp; air dry completely before using again to prevent shrinkage. For memory foam pillows, remove foam or gel inserts before putting them in the washing machine.”Foam is a bit fussier. “While the protective cover of a memory foam pillow can simply be thrown into the washer, memory foam itself needs to be washed by hand,” says Radermacher. “To do so, fill a sink with warm water and a tiny bit of mild detergent. Submerge the pillow, squeeze it a few times to let the water permeate through, and then rinse with clean water. Finally, squeeze the extra water out and allow it to dry naturally in direct sunlight.” How often should I replace pillows? Gorovoy recommends replacing your pillow every one to two years.“Generally, you’ll be able to tell when it’s time to replace your pillows,” she says. “If you’re waking up with a sore neck or if you’re unable to find a comfortable sleeping position, it might mean that your pillow is no longer providing the support for healthy sleep posture that you need. Just as with a mattress, you should replace pillows when they start sagging or developing lumps. It might also be time to look for new pillows when you notice excessive yellowing, or if your allergies are acting up at night. Doing so helps to ensure that you’re using pillows that are supportive, clean, and free of allergens. It is also important to care for the pillows you use to ensure their longevity.”Radermacher recommends every six months for “a typical, low-cost polyester pillow” and 18 to 36 months for memory foam. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Rena Behar has been covering travel gear and a wide array of other products for outlets including Wirecutter, New York magazine, Travel + Leisure, and more since 2014. We also surveyed multiple doctors and sleep experts, including Dr. Michael J. Breus, of The Sleep Doctor; Dr. Suzanne Gorovoy, Ph.D, clinical psychologist with a behavioral sleep medicine specialization and scientific advisor to Sleep Reset; and Dr. Grant K. Radermacher of Ascent Chiropractic. The 22 Best Luxury Bathrobes for Women and Men of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit