Airbnb Pillows: What We Use In Our Rentals + Recommendations

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I have talked about my favorite Airbnb pillows in past posts, but today, I want to dedicate an entire Airbnb hosting blog post to pillows! This is one area where you don’t want to skimp. In fact, you want to shine! And, one of the number one raves I hear from my Airbnb guests is about our pillows!

The Best Airbnb Pillows

Choosing the perfect pillows for your Airbnb rental property is easy! And then you need to do it one more time. Why? Because providing two types of pillows for your guests allows you to please twice as many people. I offer both a standard down alternative pillow and a gel memory foam pillow in all of our beds, and here is exactly what we use!

My Exact Airbnb Pillow Setup

I first discovered my favorite gel pillows years ago, and they are all we use at our own home. So, when we opened our first Airbnb in 2020, I knew I wanted to have these there for us to use. What I didn’t realize was how much my guests would love them!

SHOP: Target Cool Touch Memory Foam Pillow

However, not everyone loves this type of bed pillow, so I also include a regular pillow. For example, on a queen bed, I have two gel pillows and two regular pillows. As for the second pillow, I am actually not super picky. I actually replace those at least once per year. Sometimes, I even just grab a nice-looking set at TJ Maxx or Home Goods from Serta or similar companies. But if shopping online, the Beckham pillows are great options.

SHOP: Beckham Hotel Collection Pillows

I always avoid down pillows and feather-filled pillows. These tend to hold smells, especially if they get wet when a guest goes to bed with damp hair. Always look for down alternative pillows to ensure the best Airbnb guest sleep experience.

Airbnb Pillows For All Needs

Those are two options for quality pillows, but there are many other great Airbnb pillows on the market. The memory foam pillows that I have from Target last a really long time. However, I do check the other standard pillows each time I am there, and if they feel flat or lumpy, I replace them. I am personally not a fan of the shredded memory foam pillows as they tend to get lumpy, which is never a good guest experience.

Buying Airbnb Pillows

Here are some easy-to-shop links for anyone looking to purchase the best bed pillows for Airbnb rental properties.

Best Overall Airbnb Pillows

Best Alternative Gel Pillows

Best Alternative Standard Pillows

Best Luxury Airbnb Pillows

Don’t Forget Pillow Protectors

Also, you ALWAYS want to protect your Airbnb pillows. My favorite pillow protectors are the AllerEase pillow protectors. You can choose either the purple or blue version, and both are excellent. They are soft and noiseless, protecting the pillow from allergens and pests. I always have extra of these dust mite resistant pillow protectors on hand in my vacation rental for my cleaners to swap out as needed. And I personally check these every single time I’m there, and I recommend that other Airbnb hosts do the same. They are machine washable and available on Amazon.

SHOP: AllerEase Pillow Protectors

We also use the same brand of mattress protector in our short term rentals to prevent dust mites, bed bugs, water damage, and stains on our mattresses.

Do not forget to have these covers for your sofa bed and extra pillows. They are honestly even more important there! That said, before I wrap up, here are a few additional tips and answers to your frequently asked questions about Airbnb pillows, to ensure your guests have a great night’s sleep.

How Many Airbnb Pillows Do You Need On Each Bed?

I use four pillows on my queen and king beds. On our bunk beds, I just have one pillow on each. For the sofa beds, I have two standard pillows available. These need to fit in my cabinet with the sofa bed bedding, so I opted for these standard pillows. I also have one backup of each style in my cleaner’s closet.

30A Condo Rentals Seacrest Beach Florida

What Size Airbnb Pillows Should You Buy?

I use four king-size pillows for king-size beds. Sometimes, people use two King and two queen pillows, but I like the way the four larger pillows fill the bed. So, you decide what are the best pillows for Airbnb beds in your space.

For Queen beds, I use queen/standard-size pillows.

How Often Should You Replace Your Airbnb Pillows?

As I mentioned earlier, I always check pillows every time I am at our Airbnb rental properties. In fact, I always bring a set of King and a set of Queen pillows just in case I need to switch them out. When I do replace the standard pillows, I do it in pairs so that they match up nicely on the bed.

Should You Have Throw Pillows In An Airbnb?

Personally, I dislike having multiple extra pillows on an Airbnb bed. I know that those decorative pillows are not getting cleaned between guests, and it grosses me out that they are often thrown aside onto the floor. So, I would advise against having any additional pillows on your Airbnb beds.

In the living room, I typically have two square throw pillows and sometimes a third accent pillow on the couches and chairs. I buy washable throw pillow covers for the square pillows and change them whenever I am there.

What Other Bedding Do I Need For My Airbnb?

I have got you covered! From Airbnb mattresses to everything else you need in an Airbnb bedroom, my Airbnb buying guides are full of detailed information that I have thought through so that you don’t have to! Here are some other Airbnb bedroom and bedding-related posts that you will enjoy.

More Airbnb Hosting Tips

In addition to helping you set up your first Airbnb, I have countless other posts covering everything from where to buy a rental property to what to include in your Airbnb House Manual. The best way to browse my content is to start with my free 5-star Airbnb Hosting page, or you can browse all Airbnb hosting blog posts here at Our Little Lifestyle.