Pillows for Holiday Lets, B&Bs and Airbnbs: A UK Host’s Buying Guide
If you run a holiday cottage, an Airbnb, a B&B or a self-catering flat, pillows for holiday lets matter more than most hosts expect. Guests rarely mention a good pillow, but a flat, lumpy or smelly one is the kind of detail that finds its way into a review. Pillows also have to survive what home pillows do not: frequent turnovers, constant washing, different sleepers every week and a strict budget per bed.
This guide is for UK hosts. It covers how to choose a pillow that suits a wide range of guests, how many to provide, which fillings cope best with heavy use, how to look after them between stays and when to replace them. It also flags the fire safety rules that apply to furnishings in let accommodation, which many new hosts do not know about.
What hosts need from a pillow
A pillow for your own bed can be chosen purely for personal comfort. A pillow for a let has to satisfy several competing demands at once.
- Broad appeal. You cannot know whether the next guest sleeps on their front, back or side. A medium-support pillow is the usual answer, as it suits the widest range of people. Our hotel-style pillow listing makes the same point: hotel pillows are usually medium in firmness because they are designed to suit guests with different preferences.
- Durability under frequent washing. Cases and protectors are washed after every stay, and pillows themselves need regular care.
- Quick turnaround. Anything that takes a long time to dry creates a problem on changeover day.
- Hygiene you can see. Guests notice stains, yellowing and odours. Cleanliness is a major factor in reviews.
- A sensible cost per bed. You may be fitting out several beds, and replacing pillows regularly.
- Consistency. Matching pillows look tidier and make restocking easier.
If you are setting up a single spare room at home rather than a business, our guide to pillows for a guest bedroom is a better fit. This article is aimed at hosts who let property regularly.
How many pillows per bed?
There is no official rule, and hosts differ. As a practical starting point:
- Two sleeping pillows per guest on the bed is a common standard, so each person has a choice of heights and can stack or separate them.
- Spares in the wardrobe. A couple of spare pillows per property, ideally including one softer and one firmer, let you meet requests without a rush to the shops.
- Decorative pillows are extra. If you style the bed with cushions, keep them separate from sleeping pillows. See how many pillows on a king-size bed and how to style a king-size bed with pillows.
It also helps to have a laundry rotation. Many hosts keep at least one extra set of pillowcases and protectors per bed, so that a fresh set is always ready when a guest checks out.
Choosing support and filling
Go for medium support as your default
Extremely soft or extremely firm pillows divide opinion. Medium support is the safest choice for a bed that will be used by many different people. If you want to understand what that means in practice, read how to choose pillow firmness and pillow loft explained.
Offer a choice where you can
A simple way to keep more guests happy is to provide a mix. For example, give each bed two standard medium pillows, and keep a softer and a firmer option available on request. A short note in your welcome folder saying that extra pillows are in the wardrobe is often enough.
Synthetic or natural?
Both can work. The trade-offs are different for hosts than for home use.
- Hollowfibre and microfibre are affordable, light and generally easier to wash and dry, which makes them popular for lets. See what is hollowfibre and hollowfibre vs microfibre.
- Feather and down feel more luxurious and can lift the perceived quality of a stay, but they need more care and plumping, and take longer to dry. Feather vs synthetic pillows compares the two, and feather vs down pillows explains the natural options.
Some guests avoid feather and down because of allergies or personal preference, so providing a synthetic alternative on request is a considerate touch. We make no medical or allergy claims for any of our pillows, but you can read our guides to feather pillows and allergies and dust mites in pillows for background.
The hotel look
If you want a hotel feel, think about the pillow, the case and the way you present them. Our guide to hotel style pillows UK explains what that usually involves, and Oxford vs housewife pillowcases covers a popular finishing touch.
Looking after pillows between stays
Cases and protectors after every stay
Pillowcases should be washed after each guest. A zipped protector under the case adds a washable barrier that keeps the pillow itself cleaner for longer, and we recommend one for every pillow in a let. Our guide to pillow protectors and pillowcase sizes shows how to pick the right size.
Inspect at every changeover
A quick check at each turnover catches problems early. Look for:
- stains or yellowing;
- flat or lumpy filling;
- any smell, particularly musty or stale odours; and
- damaged seams or covers.
A shake and plump at changeover restores loft, as we describe in how to fluff a pillow. If you notice an odour, see why does my pillow smell.
Wash the pillows on a schedule
How often depends on the filling, the care label and how busy the property is. Many hosts wash pillows between longer gaps in bookings, or on a regular maintenance cycle. Follow the care label, and see how to wash pillows and the Pillow Care Guide. Always make sure pillows are completely dry before they go back on a bed.
When to replace
Pillows in a busy let wear out faster than pillows in a private home. Replace them sooner rather than later, because guests are paying for a good night’s sleep. Replace a pillow when it:
- no longer holds its shape or springs back after plumping;
- is stained or discoloured in a way that cleaning cannot fix;
- smells even after airing, washing and drying; or
- is visibly worn or damaged.
Our guides on when to replace pillows and why pillows turn yellow give more detail. Buying multipacks makes replacement cheaper and keeps pillows matching.
Fire safety rules for let accommodation
This is the part many new hosts miss. In Great Britain, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 set fire-safety requirements for upholstered furniture and furnishings, and they apply to items supplied in holiday homes and furnished lettings. According to guidance for businesses from Trading Standards, the rules cover items such as mattresses and pillows (in terms of the filling material), and they apply where furniture is provided in accommodation let in the course of business. The same guidance notes that the regulations were amended in October 2025.
VisitBritain’s business advice makes the same point for hosts: if you provide self-catering accommodation, you need to comply with the 1988 regulations, and most holiday lets count as domestic use.
What does that mean in practice for pillows?
- Check the labels and paperwork. Look for fire-safety labelling and information on any pillows you buy for a let, and keep records of what you bought and where from.
- Ask your supplier. Ask any pillow supplier, including us, whether the products meet the requirements for use in let accommodation, and ask for documentation before you buy in volume.
- Check the current rules. The regulations have been updated recently, and the detail of what applies to which product is technical. Your local Trading Standards service or fire safety officer can advise.
We are a pillow retailer, not a legal or safety adviser, so please treat this as a pointer to the right questions rather than as compliance advice. The Pillow Store product listings do not currently state fire-safety compliance details, so if you are buying for a let, contact us before you order and we will tell you what information we can provide.
Pillow Store options for hosts
These are the listings most relevant to hosts. As always, the specifications are guide details that are confirmed with the supplier before dispatch, so check each product page, particularly if you are buying several.
- Hollowfibre Multipack contains four identical hollowfibre pillows with medium support. It is the most obvious fit for fitting out a bed or two, and the filling is listed as practical and easy-care.
- Plain Pillow Pack of 2 gives you two matching plain pillows with a cotton cover and medium support, suited to a double bed.
- Guest Bedroom Pillow Set is listed as a ready-made set for a guest room. The exact set contents are still being confirmed with the supplier, so check what is included before you rely on it.
- Hotel-style Pillow is listed as plump with medium support, for hosts who want a more luxurious presentation.
You can browse all of them in the pillow multipacks category, and see delivery details on our shipping page. We do not currently publish trade or bulk pricing, so if you need larger quantities, please ask us.
A host’s pillow checklist
- Choose medium-support pillows as your default, with softer and firmer spares.
- Provide two sleeping pillows per guest, plus spares.
- Use a protector on every pillow, and keep a spare set of cases and protectors per bed.
- Wash cases every stay, and pillows on a regular schedule following the care label.
- Dry pillows fully before they go back on a bed.
- Inspect and plump at every changeover.
- Replace flat, stained or smelly pillows promptly.
- Check the fire safety requirements for your type of let, and keep records.
- Consider a synthetic alternative for guests who avoid feather and down.
Frequently asked questions
What type of pillow is best for an Airbnb or holiday let?
A medium-support pillow that can be washed easily is the most practical default, since it suits the widest range of guests. Hollowfibre and microfibre are popular for easy care, and feather and down add a luxury feel if you are prepared to give them more attention.
How many pillows should I provide per guest?
Many hosts provide two sleeping pillows per guest on the bed and keep spares in a wardrobe. There is no fixed rule, so adjust to your property and guests.
How often should I wash pillows in a holiday let?
Pillowcases and protectors should be washed after every stay. Pillows themselves can be washed on a schedule that suits the filling, the care label and how often the property is occupied. Always dry them completely.
Do holiday let pillows need to meet fire safety regulations?
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 apply to furniture and furnishings in holiday homes and furnished lettings, and Trading Standards guidance lists pillows (filling material) among the items covered. Check the current requirements with Trading Standards or your local fire safety officer, and ask suppliers for documentation.
Should I provide feather pillows in a rental?
You can, but they need more care, and some guests avoid them. A common approach is to provide synthetic pillows as standard and offer feather and down as an optional extra, or the other way around, depending on the style of your property.
Can I buy pillows in bulk from Pillow Store?
We list multipacks and sets, and we are happy to answer questions about larger quantities, but we do not currently publish trade pricing. Contact us and we will tell you what is possible.
The bottom line
Good pillows for a holiday let are medium-support, easy to wash and replaced before they look tired. Provide protectors, keep spares, check pillows at every changeover and make sure you understand the fire safety rules that apply to your property. A little thought about pillows is a low-cost way to improve the guest experience.
Browse the full Pillow Store collection or get in touch with questions.
Sources and further reading
- Business Companion (Trading Standards): New upholstered furniture, fire safety
- VisitBritain: Fire safety of furniture and furnishings
This guide is general information for hosts and is not legal or safety advice. Requirements can change, so check current guidance with your local Trading Standards service or fire safety officer.
Multipacks and sets from our range
Names, prices and descriptions come straight from each product page. Not sure which suits you? Try the Pillow Finder. Furnishing several rooms? Ask about larger quantities.
Plain Pillow Pack of 2
£24.99
Two matching plain pillows with medium support in a standard UK size. Convenient value compared with buying two singly.
View pillow
Hollowfibre Multipack
£39.99
Four hollowfibre pillows with medium support: practical, easy-care and well suited to family beds and guest rooms.
View pillow
Guest Bedroom Pillow Set
£34.99
A ready-made pillow set for a guest room: quality pillows suitable for regular use, not just occasional guests. Check the product page for set contents.
View pillow