Westin Hotels revolutionized the industry with its “Heavenly Bed” marketing. People genuinely bought into their claim to being better in bed. Guests chose the brand for their beds, and bought the beds and bedding for their homes. And other hotel chains were forced to up their game with better, branded mattresses.
They tried to extend the branding to the bathroom (“Heavenly Bath”) with curved shower rods, and the chain’s white tea scent is a signature, but nothing has been as successful in hotel marketing (maybe ever) as the heavenly bed and bedding.
So it’s a big deal that Westin is changing its bedding, and going with entirely synthetic materials. I’m told that this will be chain-wide beginning in January.
New bedding is already in some hotels and becomes brand standard next month. Hotels will not be required to stock down bedding, so guests with a preference won’t be able to request it.
Here are the labels sent to me, which I’m told are from a new bed and bedding:
When I first heard about this I was worried.
- Marriott has been willing to sacrifice brand value for hotel owner cost savings the past several years
- So while there may be benefits in terms of the occasional guest with allergies not having to request other pillows, etc. I have to assume that the new solution is lower cost
- But what will it mean in terms of comfort? The old solution was comfortable and I always slept well. Will that still be the case?
I’ve heard Marriott employees both deride the product as “vegan” while others tout it as “Heavenly Bed 2.0.” A Marriott spokesperson shares,
Westin Hotels & Resorts is synonymous with the sleep experience, one of the brand’s Six Pillars of well-being. As part of its commitment to great sleep, the brand is constantly evaluating how to improve guests’ sleep experience to support a restful night and ensure they arise feeling refreshed.
I think frequent travelers will want to pay attention to the new bedding at Westin Hotels and revisit their priors about what Heavenly Bed and Bedding means. I’ll probably go out of my way to book a Westin coming up just to see how the experience differs – and whether I can tell.
Can’t be as bad as the recycled coke bottles Delta provides for international D1. The static sparks from that garbage is enough to start a cabin fire.
I have a feeling much of the cost savings comes from synthetic fabrics being easier to launder, and they require less pressing.
The first picture shows the pillow with 100% cotton shell and the second to be made of 54% cotton, 42% Tencel, which is a wood based product. That’s more like 75% non-synthetic.
Westin is changing nothing. Marriott is making the changes. The Westin we all knew and loved ceased to exist when Marriott acquired Starwood. The former Starwood properties have been on a downhill slide since.
Sometimes I found the Heavenly bed too soft…maybe they were getting old. I welcome the change but I will have to check it out. What is new is usually not better!
I wonder if Marriott Hotels & Resorts switched to bedding with entirely synthetic materials to help prevent or repel bedbugs and expensive pesky bedbug litigation.
Read more about Marriott bedbug lawsuits. https://whitneyfirm.com/legal-resources/marriott-international-hotel-bed-bug-attorneys/
The bedding is horrible. Besides the pillow changes, the sheets are no longer 100% cotton, which is noticeable. Cheaper laundry expenses and no expense for HSK staff to iron flat sheets.
How does a full-service hotel not offer 100% feather pillows?
Very concerned as I only stay at Westins and Wyndham Grands due to needing a soft pillow top bed, and it’s mostly Westins. I think this will make the mattress firmer for sure.
I’m one of those people who purchased their pillows and bedding. Not for me personally, as there are other products I prefer. (Although Westin’s is still great) However, my mom had to spend 2-3 nights in a Westin and called me raving about it, and asked if there was any way I could get them for her.
So easy Christmas gift. Not sure how the new bedding feels, but I’m curious once you review it. Westin’s really did have a reputation for comfortable sleep, and I know my mom sought them out ever since as her hotel of choice. What’s sad, is that even if the product is inferior – We all know that Marriot don’t give a shit.
Heavenly Bed and Economy Plus…ah the heady days of late 90s business travel innovation
They are really shooting themselves in the foot. Calling it the heavenly bed isn’t what made it heavenly, it’s delivering a great sleep experience. If the pillows become cheaper, adios Westin.
Even after switching to Hyatt , there are some Westins in loyal to. That seems like it will end.
I rarely stay in Westins. I prefer full service with an Exec Lounge.
I do ask for feather/down pillows. Most Marriotts can still provide them. I have moved out of hotels that couldn’t provide them.
For me, it is the difference between sleeping or not sleeping and having neck pain issues.
Some other folks are just the opposite so the hotels don’t need to be all one or the other.
Cotton is becoming more scarce as a fabric choice in many things. Seems we’re going with synthetic in everything.
I worked for the Marriott many years ago. Then they could justify their prices now some hotels are Marriott in name only. They cheapened their product with expansion.
Not sure why they would call it vegan? Cotton is also vegan, after all and so are linen and polyester. Wool leather and silk are the only common non-vegan textiles and they weren’t used in the Heavenly Bed anyway.
Tencel is made from wood fibers and is good for cooling, which could be nice.
Personally, i can’t stand feather or down pillows. They always have a particular smell that really bothers me,
Would this article have been more productive If you wrote it after a stay vs just quality speculation.
Not the same old Marriott. Last Westin I stayed in was a wreck. Most of their hotels I stay in now are dirtier and more poorly maintained than they used to be. And feather pillows are such a must for me that I pack my own.
I booked a Westin this week specifically for badly needed sleep, and 2 days in, I have yet to achieve it. I just discovered the feather free decision when I went to ask for a feather pillow. The bed is just okay, but the pillows are too springy for me. I miss the feather pillows. I miss having the choice.
And I was told they have no intention to open the Club, even though it’s on their site. This will be my last Westin stay. So much for lifetime Titanium.
The heavenly bed was a great marketing thing. I rmemeber having nicer bedding with Westin. SInce Marriott took over I have been in very few Westins in recent yrs. Using Hyatt more and a mix of other Marriotts merely by chance. @Brian I hate feather pillows for sure. I am highly allergic to them. Same for Down. I dont think any hotel should use as standard since too many people have issues with them. @Joanie excellent comment. I cant rememebr the last time i had any issue with a hotel bed though. Staying is mostly mid tier to upper hotels and some luxury. For business Ill sometimes stay in a simple Hyatt Place.
Death of a thousand cuts, this just confirms my almost made decision to cut ties with Marriott after it ruined Starwood.
Perfect timing, as.I notice that I only have one Marriott reservation for 2024 that cannot be moved to Hyatt.