Given how much of our lives are spent in bed, investing in a high-quality mattress is one of the smartest decisions you’ll make for your sleep. With big names such as Simba and Emma leading the charge, the market is more crowded – and more innovative – than ever.
There’s a lot of jargon surrounding the various layers that make up the sleeping surfaces. But if your goal is to recreate that just-checked-into-a-hotel feeling at home, Premier Inn promises to make it easier. You can buy the exact mattress it uses in its hotels.
As a hybrid mattress, it’s made of multiple layers of foam and springs, so it should, in theory, deliver edge-to-edge support and temperature regulation. But that’s what I’ve been testing for the last 15 months. Here I’ll explain what impressed me about the hotel mattress and, crucially, what could be better.
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How I tested
I’ve been sleeping on Premier Inn’s mattress for 15 months. For context, I’m prone to bouts of insomnia and am an annoyingly light sleeper. The slightest movement from my partner can wake me up, so I need a mattress with impressive movement isolation. Having tested other mattresses in the past, where my partner's wriggling would wake me up, I’ve learned the hard way about how important it is that movement is absorbed.
As such, I tested this carefully, conducting a range of different tests to really see whether the mattress isolated movement. Of course, my testing criteria expanded to other areas, including the following factors:
- Comfort: I assessed how comfortable the mattress was, including measuring my sleep quality throughout the night and how deeply I slept. Of course, my measurements changed based on lifestyle changes, but it gave me a good idea of how comfortable I was. While I’m a side sleeper, I also considered how the mattress felt when in different positions, noting down whether the pillow top layer provided enough cushioning or was too hard against my side. I also considered whether it provided good pressure relief and how supportive it was.
- Support: Equally important to a good night’s sleep, I considered how well the mattress enabled me to maintain a comfortable position during, and noted the performance of its seven-layer design and zoned system. I paid attention to whether my hips sank too deeply and whether the mattress maintained a balanced level of support across my body.
- Motion transfer: I’m a light sleeper, so motion transfer was a particularly important test for me. I tested how well the mattress isolated movement to see if I could sleep undisturbed, even with someone tossing and turning beside me. To do this, I asked my partner to move around on the other side of the bed while I stayed still, noting how much movement I could feel through the mattress. I also tried a glass test, placing a glass of water on the bed while movement happened nearby to see how much vibration travelled across the surface and whether any spillage occurred. I also made sure to note down whether I’d been woken in the night by my partner wriggling around.
- Temperature regulation: I analysed how well the mattress’s temperature-regulating sleep surface performed by paying attention to how warm or cool it kept me. Over two winters and one summer, I noted whether I woke up feeling overheated or whether I remained at the perfect temperature.
- Price: As this is a relatively affordable mattress, I considered whether its quality, comfort, and durability matched the price to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Prices for the mattress in this piece are for a double, but it’s also available in other sizes, ranging from single to super king.
You can find out more about my full testing criteria at the end of my review. Plus, read IndyBest’s guide to how we test mattresses.
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Premier Inn mattress, double
Mattress sizes: Single, double, king, super king
Mattress type: Foam and pocket spring
Guarantee: Six years
Sleep trial: None
Rotate or flip: Rotate
Tested by: Side-sleeper
Firmness rating: Advertised as "medium to firm" | Rated by tester 7/10
Depth: 28.5cm
Cover: Not removable
Old mattress recycling: Yes, for £40
Why we love it
- Medium-to-firm feel offers a versatile sleeping experience suitable for most sleepers
- Cushions shoulders and hips without excessive sinking
- Cheaper than comparable hotel-branded mattresses
Take note
- No sleep trial increases risk if unsure about preferred firmness
Initial thoughts
Unlike other hybrid mattresses, Premier Inn’s 2.0 doesn’t arrive rolled in a box. Rather, it’s delivered to your room of choice free of charge (and your old mattress can be removed for £40), which is a relief as it’s hefty. Because it isn’t vacuum-sealed like many boxed mattresses, there was no noticeable off-gassing smell when it arrived. It lacks the sleek design you’d expect of a mattress hailing from a hotel brand. But this is easy to forget when the bed’s made.
Overview
Like all hybrid mattresses, it’s made of pocket springs as well as layers of foam. One layer in particular concerned me: the gel-infused filling, which the brand says provides bounce and aids movement. As a light sleeper, this was a red flag – I was worried I’d feel my partner moving at night. Thankfully, these fears were unjustified (but more on the movement isolation later).
The mattress is 28.5cm deep, which is noticeably taller and weightier than any I’ve owned before. The height is something I appreciate more than I expected – it gives the bed a substantial, well-made feel, and if you like a mattress with a bit of presence (and extra support), I’d recommend this one. Despite the added height, I didn’t find it difficult to fit sheets onto the mattress, although deep-pocket fitted sheets worked best.
Firmness and pressure relief
The brand says the mattress is medium to firm, and based on my tests, I’d agree; I’d score it a seven out of 10 for firmness. In practice, I find it to be a supportive mattress that keeps my body aligned, and it doesn’t sink around my shoulders and hips. The pillow-top layer adds a plush feel without being soft, which I appreciate.
I found I settled into a comfortable position much faster than I had with my previous Dusk mattress. With my old one, there was always a bit of shifting and readjusting before I felt properly supported. Here, it was more of a get into bed, get comfy, and drift off situation – which, for me, is a strong sign a mattress is doing its job properly.
Edge support
Edge support is another area where this mattress performs well. I feel stable and supported when sitting on the edge of the mattress, which causes a dip of just 4cm.
When lying near the side of the bed, I never feel as though I’m going to slip off or roll toward the edge. I also haven’t noticed myself rolling toward the centre of the mattress during the night, which can sometimes happen with softer designs.
Motion transfer
I was initially concerned that the gel layer would cause too much movement. But I was pleasantly surprised by how little motion travelled across the mattress. While very large movements were still noticeable, I wasn’t jolted awake every time my partner turned over or got out of bed, which is a big win for a light sleeper like me.
Temperature regulation
I’m always sceptical when brands claim their mattresses keep me at a comfortable temperature. But I was proven wrong here. One of the biggest strengths is the temperature regulation. Without getting too technical, the hybrid construction comprises breathable foams and a pocket-spring system, which allows air to circulate. I tested it through a mix of milder and cooler nights, and it struck a nice balance – I was never clammy, but still cosy when the temperature dipped.
The micro-quilted top aids the sleep experience. It feels plush without trapping heat. More importantly, I stayed comfortable through the night, without the usual too-hot, too-cold shuffle that can interrupt sleep.
Maintenance
The mattress is single-sided, so you shouldn’t flip it. You turn the entire mattress to help distribute wear evenly.
Buy now £749, Premierinnbed.co.uk
Your questions about the Premier Inn mattress 2.0 answered
Is the Premier Inn mattress worth the money?
Premier Inn’s mattress is a stellar all-rounder. It’s comfortable, supportive and breathable. The pre-sale price is £609, which is cheaper than other hotel mattresses, such as Hypnos (for Soho House). But it’s also more affordable than the mattresses you can buy from Simba and Emma. It’s not the most visually appealing, and it’s also very heavy, which limits manoeuvrability. However, these are minor gripes, and I certainly think it is worth its price tag.
What are the disadvantages of the Premier Inn mattress?
There are a few things to consider. First, this is a hefty mattress. It’s tall and heavy, so manoeuvring it around can be a bit of a workout. While delivery to your room is included, you may want an extra pair of hands for setup.
Aesthetically, it’s more functional than fashionable. It lacks the sleek, minimalist look of some newer hybrid or memory foam brands and has a more traditional pocket-spring appearance. That said, once it’s dressed in your bedding, this feels largely irrelevant.
Finally, there’s no sleep trial with the mattress, which is something I’d like to see introduced, especially considering many other brands offer one.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Daisy Lester is a senior shopping writer at The Independent. She knows how to spot a quality product that is really worth your money, and, crucially, she’d never recommend a product that she didn’t think was good. She is sceptical of mattress brands and their marketing claims, and rigorously puts them to the test to see whether they stand up in real-life environments. Daisy brings years of experience in trialling sleep products to this review and understands the importance of a good sleep setup, particularly because she is prone to bouts of insomnia. As an annoyingly light sleeper, she knows the importance of having a high-quality mattress that won’t cause further disturbance. You can trust her to deliver honest reviews.
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