What is a pillow menu?
A pillow menu allows guests to order the pillows they want. Unlike a restaurant menu, a pillow menu lists no prices. Instead, it’s a complimentary perk designed to enhance sleep, increase guest loyalty and drum up positive reviews.
The menu lists three to seven pillow options along with a brief description of each. You might place a printed pillow menu on the check-in desk for guests to peruse and “order” from upon check-in. Or, simply display the pillow menu in the room—on a side table or inside a clear plastic frame. Some hotels list pillow options on the reservation page of their booking site, allowing guests to list pillow preferences and have the pillows waiting in their room upon arrival.
Types of pillows to put on a pillow menu
Customize the pillow menu to suit your budget, storage space and hotel clientele. Many pillow menus list options for each type of sleeper. Others focus on orthopedic needs or avoiding allergens. Make the menu user-friendly with helpful descriptions. Consider putting photographs of each available pillow on the menu for clarity.
Here are some common pillow types to consider:
- Soft: ideal for stomach sleepers and some back sleepers
- Medium: well-suited for back sleepers or sleepers who switch positions
- Firm: great for side sleepers for good spinal alignment
- Hypoallergenic: all hotels should offer allergen-friendly options, even if they choose not to implement a pillow menu
- Down: if your hotel’s default pillow offerings are hypoallergenic, consider letting guests choose a luxurious down pillow
Practical tips for implementing pillow menus
Before diving in and creating a pillow menu for your hotel or resort, consider our tips below.
1. Keep making the beds
Guests should always walk into a hotel room that’s ready to go. If a guest doesn’t order off the pillow menu when making a reservation, fully outfit their room with your standard pillow offerings. Then, allow them to order additional pillows at any point during their stay.
2. Assess the logistics
Before changing your pillow inventory, consider the storage, cleaning and replacement logistics of adding more pillows, pillow cases and pillow enclosures. New pillow types, such as cooling pillows or orthopedic pillows, may require different cleaning schedules than a standard down or hypoallergenic pillow. Work through the logistics before placing any orders.
3. Track pillow requests
Create a system to track request frequency by pillow type. Use this information to increase the stock of popular pillows and to reduce offerings over time to best align with use. Similarly, log instances where guests desire a pillow type that isn’t on the menu. Consider adjusting the menu in the future to accommodate popular requests.
4. Make it easy for guests
Keep your pillow menu clear and informative. Don’t overwhelm guests with too many choices. Clearly identify the types of pillows, their qualities and who they’re typically best for. Train staff to assist guests with choosing the right pillow. Include instructions on the menu for ordering a pillow. For example, speak with the front desk or dial “0” on the hotel phone to order pillows.
5. Manage guest expectations
Include verbiage on the pillow menu about how each pillow type has limited availability. A simple note and apology in advance about the possibility of their chosen pillows not being available can go a long way.
6. Don’t forget about branding
Put hotel branding and information on the printed pillow menu. Anticipate that some guests—especially guests new to the concept of a pillow menu—will share photos of the menu online or with friends and family. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to put your brand in front of more eyes.
See what Venus has to offer
Trust Venus to help you update your hotel’s pillow offerings and offer guests a better night’s sleep. Our Adapt Memorelle fiber pillows conform to guests’ movements and sleeping positions, offering a versatile hypoallergenic pillow option for any bed size. Our variety of pillow encasements and pillowcase offerings can even outfit your new arrivals. Call us today at 800-421-6599 to learn more, or request a quote from our website.
