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The 12 Best Luxury Hotel Pillows, Tested and Reviewed

Get hotel-quality comfort right at home with these plush pillows.

Collage of pillows we recommend on an orange background
Photo:

Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

Who doesn’t long for the kind of quality night’s sleep you experience during a relaxing vacation? Your mind is at ease, you’re in a plush bed, and there’s a seemingly endless supply of fluffy pillows that always stay cool, and perfectly form to your head and neck.

“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 [up] 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.”

We tested more than 90 pillows and narrowed down the best hotel-quality pillows so you can get that getaway relaxation every night from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re a side sleeper, a stomach sleeper, or prefer lying flat on your back, these are the most luxurious pillows to help you stay cozy all night long.

Why We Love It
  • The pillow stays cool and breathable throughout the evening — even on hot nights.

What to Consider
  • Right out of the package, it does have a slight odor that may be distracting to stomach sleepers.

The quality of the Coop Home Goods Eden pillow is fantastic, from day one to many months of use. The Lulltra outer cover is soft and well constructed and feels really nice and cool to the touch — and stays that way all night. While no one pillow is perfect for all, the comfort of this pillow is unmatched as it comes with a bag of extra shredded memory foam fill, so you can perfectly design your own shape. 

Because the pillow has gel infused throughout, rather than in the core of the pillow, you can feel the difference in its cooling capabilities. Plus, the pillow is fully machine washable and comes out of the dryer nice and fluffy and, shockingly, still somewhat cool to the touch. Even after six months of sleeping with and washing this pillow, it shows no signs of wear and tear and is still providing that hotel-quality comfort we all love.

The Details: Lulltra | Gel memory foam and microfiber | Queen, king

Best for Side Sleepers

Kassatex European Down Pillow

Kassatex European White Goose Down Pillow
PHOTO: Kassatex
Why We Love It
  • The pillow molds to your body, making it ideal for keeping side sleepers comfortable.

What to Consider
  • It may lose some of its fluff after machine washes.

Unlike some down pillows, the Kassatex European White Goose Down is fluffy, full, and doesn’t deflate when you lay your head on it. If you’re looking for a full, comfortable, marshmallow-like pillow, this one’s for you. While we found this comfortable while lying on our backs and stomachs, side sleepers especially enjoyed this pillow as it molds to their shape. Throughout six months of sleeping on this pillow, we never had to fluff or flip it over throughout the night or even in the morning while making the bed. You can really feel the support through your head, shoulders, and upper back when sleeping, too. 

The Details: Cotton | Goose down | Queen, king

Why We Love It
  • It supports the head and neck while keeping the body in a good posture.

What to Consider
  • This is a heavier, bulky pillow that can be difficult fitting into pillow cases.

“If you sleep on your back, then a pillow with mid-range loft will probably feel most comfortable,” Dr. Michael J. Breus of The Sleep Doctor says. “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. They claim 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 create this supportive pillow that maintains its shape even after using it nightly for more than three months.

The Details: Cotton | Latex | Queen, king

L.L.Bean Down-Alternative Damask Pillow
PHOTO: L.L. Bean
Why We Love It
  • This pillow conforms to your head without losing its shape.

What to Consider
  • It can sink throughout the night, depending on your position.

This L.L. Bean pillow features a plush down alternative that maintains its shape and keeps cool throughout the night. After one month of use, we gave it a wash and it came out of the dryer fluffy and fully formed without any loss of depth. We tested the medium-firm pillow, but you can also buy all sizes of this pillow in soft and firm to get the hotel-quality sleep you prefer. We loved that over the weeks of use, it conforms to the head without losing its shape, even for those who move around in their sleep.

The Details: Cotton | PrimaLoft polyester | Standard, queen, king in soft, medium, and firm

Why We Love It
  • You can choose your preferred firmness when ordering this pillow.

What to Consider
  • Down & Feather Company strongly recommends only spot cleaning the pillow.

This high-quality pillow allows users to choose their perfect level of comfort when ordering, leading to a tailor-made pillow designed to support your neck and spine. The feathers are evenly distributed throughout the product, giving the feeling of sleeping on a cloud. We also love that it comes with a traveling case, so you can take it with you wherever you go for perfect rest. Even after using it nightly for six months, the down didn’t bunch up or become clumpy — and it continues to be both a fluffy and supportive pillow.

The Details: Cotton | Goose down | Standard, queen, king, Euro

Why We Love It
  • This is a great pillow for those who like to sink into their bedding.

What to Consider
  • It may be too soft and flat for some users.

Right away, the quality of this pillow is impressive and luxurious. Throughout our tests, we felt like we were in a high-end hotel thanks to this light and fluffy pillow. While it did need to be flipped over throughout the night to remain cool, it was incredibly comfortable and inviting at the end of a long day. We especially loved how this pillow really morphs to the head and neck leaving you feeling like you’ve had a night’s sleep at a luxury hotel.

The Details: Cotton | Down and feather | Standard, king

Cozy Earth Bamboo Down Alternative Pillow
Bamboo Down Alternative Pillow. PHOTO: Cozy Earth
Why We Love It
  • This pillow contains bamboo, a great alternative to down that has moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties.

What to Consider
  • It may be too fluffy for some sleepers.

Cozy Earth's Bamboo Down Alternative Pillow is a big and fluffy choice whether you want neck support or a pillow to squish into throughout the night. On the first night using this pillow, we sank right into its cool comfort, falling asleep almost instantly. It works well for most side and stomach sleepers, but it is quite a plump pillow, so be aware that it may take some getting used to. The bamboo materials are moisture-wicking and temperature regulating for a cool sleep that lasts all night. Plus, the outer fabric is ultra soft, so it feels luxurious even before you slide it into a pillowcase.

The Details: Polyester and bamboo | Bamboo | Standard, king, travel, body

Why We Love It
  • The pillow is lightweight, comfortable, and retains its shape well.

What to Consider
  • At 4.5 pounds, this is quite a heavy pillow. 

This pillow feels soft and luxurious right out of the packaging, without any smell or odor. While this pillow is quite dense, it’s still incredibly soft and remains cool and crisp throughout the night. No matter how many times users change positions throughout the night, this pillow adjusts and accommodates the body’s position — just like Tempur-pedic mattresses. After six months of use, the memory foam hasn’t sagged in any way, even after washing, so this pillow is sure to last for years to come.

The Details: Polyester | Memory foam | Standard

Why We Love It
  • The silk feels very luxurious and high-quality.

What to Consider
  • It doesn’t provide the best head and neck support.

This unique pillow is silky soft to the touch and feels like a premium, spa-quality pillow. You can tell the difference between this and standard pillows — the silk provides a whole different experience that’s cloud-like and incredibly cozy. Even in heat waves, this pillow is breathable and keeps cool, so you don’t feel sweaty. The pillow did feel flat at times, so it may not be suitable for those looking for neck support. However, we were surprised that the pillow is machine washable and can be dried as well, though it’s recommended to use dryer balls to prevent clumping.

The Details: Viscose | Mulberry silk | Standard, king

Why We Love It
  • This pillow is expandable by unzipping the two side zippers. 

What to Consider
  • It’s not incredibly breathable, so warm sleepers may experience some sweating.

Marlow The Pillow is extremely soft, fluffy, well-made, and, yes, adjustable. Two side zippers expand to adjust the firmness and height of the pillow, so users can improve their sleep quality. Throughout six months of testing, we never needed to fluff the pillow as it bounces right back into shape when you get up. However, this pillow is spot-clean only, so we recommend warm sleepers purchase the pillow protector to avoid possible sweat stains.

The Details: Cotton | Polyurethane foam and polyester | Standard, king

Why We Love It
  • The height and fill are ideal to support any type of sleeper.

What to Consider
  • After a few weeks of use, we did need to add more fill to maintain the pillow’s fluff.

Upon first glance, this pillow screams luxury. The perforated memory foam material and textured surface add to its posh look and optimal comfort. Plus, the pillow comes with additional fill so you can adjust the pillow’s height over time. The fill actually alleviates pressure on the neck making you feel completely relaxed for a better night’s sleep. This would be perfect for warm sleepers or anyone in pain, as this pillow provides ample support without compromising plushness or softness.

The Details: Bamboo | Memory foam | Standard, queen, king

Why We Love It
  • It feels like it molds to your head.

What to Consider
  • You may be able to feel pieces of the filling through the pillow.

Made of GOLS-certified organic latex, GOTS-certified organic kapok fiber, and GOTS-certified organic cotton, this may be one of the most eco-conscious (and vegan) pillows out there. The pillow stays cool to the touch all night long and provides plenty of support to the head and neck. While the pillow itself is not machine washable, the case is and it didn’t suffer noticeable shrinkage. The eco-friendly and non-toxic filling makes this pillow feel high-end and the external cotton case gives an extra layer of style and comfort.

The Details: Cotton | Latex and kapok | Standard, queen, king

Other Pillows We Liked

We tested more than 90 pillows to determine their quality, airflow, comfort, durability, and overall value. While these pillows did well in some tests, they didn’t quite have the luxurious hotel-quality we wanted.

Boll & Branch Down Pillow: This was a plush and comfortable pillow right out of the package, but as the nights went on, we noticed this pillow start to flatten.

Tuft & Needle Foam Pillow: The pillow offers an immediate cooling sensation that doesn't subside with use, but after three months of regularly sleeping with this pillow, we felt a noticeable dip in the center that became uncomfortable.

Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology: This Casper Pillow is plush and supportive that is great for most sleepers, we just found it to be so dense and heavy, it lacks that luxurious quality.

Our Testing Process

We tried more than 90 different types of pillows from cooling pillows to down pillows and everything in between. We tested these pillows in a variety of conditions including inside our testing lab and at home. During the tests, we evaluated each pillow based on quality, airflow, effectiveness, durability, and overall value.

To begin the lab test, we examined the material and construction of the pillow (without pillowcases on the product). We wanted to know if the cover had a soft, quilted, or luxurious feel that matches what you would expect from a premium pillow, or if it seemed average, had feathers sticking out of the case, or came with an odor. We then placed the pillows inside pillowcases to evaluate if the pillow was either too large or too small to fill a standard pillowcase and if the texture or color of the pillow’s cover was visible through the case. For pillows with adjustable fill, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions while paying attention to any mess created and the overall ease of adjustment.

To test the temperature and airflow of each pillow, we took the surface temperature using infrared thermometers and then placed our heads on the pillow for 15 minutes and took another temperature. Especially for cooling pillows, we were looking for differences in temperature or lasting coolness. We continued testing the effectiveness of each pillow by pressing our hands (and heads) into the surface of the pillow to feel for resistance, firmness, and memory.

The majority of these pillows were taken home to evaluate in the real world over a period of three to nine months. Before going to sleep, we felt the pillow and noted if it felt cool to the touch. During use, we paid attention to whether any coolness lasted or if the pillow absorbed body heat. We also assessed the support of the pillow and made note of any discomfort we felt in the morning. 

All pillows that are machine washable were washed and dried according to the manufacturer’s instructions after one week of at-home use. After washing and drying, we checked the pillow for changes to its fill consistency or firmness. We determined whether it needed to be shaken or fluffed, if the pillow’s cover was pilling or damaged from washing, and we measured the pillow again to check for shrinkage.

Tips for Buying a 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 options on the market. “It’s important to select the pillow filling that best aligns with your sleeping preferences and lifestyle,” Gorovoy says. She recommends considering the price, support level, maintenance, and whether the pillow is hypoallergenic. 

Know your sleep style

The most important aspect of choosing a pillow is knowing how you sleep, so you can get the support you need for a quality night’s sleep. “When choosing a pillow, it’s important to think about the curve of your neck in your favorite sleeping position,” Gorovoy says. “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

  • What kind of pillows do 5-star hotels use?

    Luxury hotels generally use pillows that are made with 100 percent duck or goose down that offers ultra-soft comfort as well as insulation. If you're looking for a hotel-quality pillow that doesn't rely on animal down, bamboo or synthetic down alternatives can be just as plush and comfortable.

  • 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,” Gorovoy says. “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,” Radermacher says. “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.”

You Might Also Want

Trying to recreate your last luxury hotel experience at home? These products also offer a high-end hotel vibe and will make sleep, showers, and baths feel a little more special.

Kashwere Signature Shawl Collar Robe: This soft, super-absorbent robe feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. It also dries quickly, won't wrinkle, and stays on securely with a tie belt.

Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set: This four-piece sheet set is a reliable and reasonably-priced everyday luxury, providing softness and anti-pilling durability that will make you look forward to sliding into bed.

Frontgate Egyptian Cotton Bath Towels: These cotton towels are substantial, heavy, and ultra-plush, and they're guaranteed to remind you of that beachside resort you can't stop thinking about. They also deliver on absorbency, soaking up water quickly after a shower or trip to the pool.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Taylor Fox is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure where she writes about and reviews travel products. She is an avid traveler who has been writing about culture and lifestyle for over eight years. To select the best hotel-quality pillows, Taylor worked with T+L team members on a series of real world tests to determine the best options. T+L contributor Rena Behar also interviewed experts such as Dr. Suzanne Gorovoy, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist with a behavioral sleep medicine specialization and scientific advisor to Sleep Reset, and Dr. Michael J. Breus of The Sleep Doctor.

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Additional reporting by
Rena Behar

Rena Behar is a freelance journalist and editor focusing on tech, travel, and gender. She has contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and more.

Updated by
Anne Taylor
Anne Taylor Headshot
Anne Taylor is a commerce updates writer at Travel + Leisure where she keeps articles fresh and up to date. As an avid traveler who has been to 23 countries, she is always testing new products to make her trips even better. She has a bachelor’s degree in news media and has been a writer and editor for over seven years.
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