Have you ever felt a mattress and known immediately that it was special? Like, within seconds of lying on this bed you could feel that it was superior to all the other mattresses you've slept on in your life? That's what happened to me when I got in bed at the Jumeirah Al Naseem hotel in Dubai. At first, I thought maybe it was just the jet lag affecting me, and that it wasn't so much the bed being super comfortable, as it was me being super tired. But as the nights passed and I acclimated to a new time zone, the coziness and perfection of the mattress remained. After I got home from that trip, I spent weeks thinking about the mattress until finally I reached out to find out what brand it was. Turns out, it really was special.
The beds at Jumeirah Al Naseem are made by Hypnos, the brand that's been supplying mattresses to the royal family and their palaces for the last 90 years. Yes, you read that right: the ROYAL FAMILY. While the brand can't confirm that members of the royal family actively sleep on their mattresses, they can say the Queen approves—literally. Hypnos holds a Royal Warrant for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the category 'bedding and upholstery manufacturers.' But what's a Royal Warrant? It's a mark of recognition for those who supply goods to the Royal Residences, and is meant to signify the best in British design. As the brand explains it, Royal Warrants are “only awarded to those who can demonstrate supreme quality with strong ethical and responsible production methods." Essentially, it's a stamp of approval from the Queen herself.
The brand received its first Royal Warrant in 1929 from King George V, and was commissioned to make beds for Windsor Castle (where Meghan and Harry tied the knot) and Buckingham Palace. Hypnos has held a Royal Warrant ever since, and currently supplies mattresses to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, St James’s Palace, Balmoral Castle, Sandringham House, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Kensington Palace. No big deal, right?
As a proprietor of all things sleep, I knew I had to tell the world about Hypnos and their incredible mattress. But there's a catch: The Hypnos Stapleford Pillow Top mattress (which I slept on in Dubai) is only available for hotels to order. So, rather than go on and on about a mattress you can't buy, I tested out a model that you can. Instead of the Stapleford, I tried the Camellia Pillow Top.
Why the Hypnos Camellia Pillow Top?
You already know that Hypnos mattresses have Queen Elizabeth's literal seal of approval, but it's also important to know that all Hypnos mattresses are made by hand with natural (and sustainable!) fibers. The natural fibers used in the Camellia Pillow Top help regulate your body temperature throughout the night, while two layers of specialized coils create support. Every detail of this mattress is meant to create a perfect sleep experience that's built to last, literally. The side stitching (done by hand!) on the mattress prevents sagging, and the outer layer of the mattress is tufted by hand to secure the upholstery layers and ensure that they will not settle or shift over time. Basically, this mattress is the crème de la crème.
How much does it cost?
The Camellia Pillow Top is available in Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King sizes, and ranges in price from $4,789 for the Twin XL to $8,280 for the California King. The Queen size, which I tried out, rings in at $5,729.
What was the delivery process like?
Your mattress will be delivered from the furniture or mattress store where you purchase it (more on that later). Mine was delivered by Long's Bedding in New York, and it was the easiest furniture delivery I've ever experienced. The two-person team was on time, fast, and efficient, and was in and out of my apartment in 10 minutes flat.
What does it feel like?
The Camellia Pillow Top is actually one of those mattresses that looks comfortable. Just one look at the plush, tufted mattress and you know it's going to feel amazing. I can assure you it really is amazing.
I've tried a lot of mattresses. Hybrid mattresses tend to be very bouncy—almost too soft, and memory foam mattresses can feel too firm. This mattress is just right. It has all the support of a memory foam mattress—without using the material, of course—and exactly the amount of cushion you need to feel like you're being wrapped up in a warm and gentle hug. Tucking yourself into this bed every night can wash away the stress and tension of the day in minutes, especially if you use a weighted blanket. Sleeping on this mattress kind of makes you feel like royalty...no pun intended.
Pros vs. Cons
Pros
It's handmade. This goes without saying, but the value of a handmade product—especially a piece of furniture that you use so regularly—is incredibly high. It's also worth noting that this mattress, unlike others on the market, is made without the use of synthetic fibers. If memory foam isn't your thing, this could be the bed for you.
It's luxuriously comfortable. If Queen Elizabeth's approval doesn't impress you, think of this: Hypnos is trusted by some of the finest hotels in the world, hotels that want to be remembered for every impeccable detail, including their beds. Sleeping on the Camellia Pillow Top feels like you're staying at a 5-star hotel every night.
It's made in America. Though Hypnos is a British brand, all Hypnos mattresses purchased in the U.S. are made here in Norfolk, Virginia by Paramount Sleep Company.
Cons
You can't order yours online. In the U.S., Hypnos mattresses are only sold at furniture or mattress stores. You cannot order a Hypnos mattress on the brand's website. If you're someone who loves the convenience of online shopping, this might not be the bed for you.
It's expensive. With prices ranging from $4,789 to $8,280 depending on which size you choose, this mattress is one of the more expensive ones on the market.
Is it worth it?
Honestly, yeah. While the price tag is high, it is genuinely an investment. Hypnos mattresses come backed by a 20-year guarantee; that's double what most mattress brands offer. But beyond that, the careful hand craftsmanship, which has caught and held the attention of the royal family and luxury hotels around the world for years, is reason enough to know that this bed is worth every penny. And finally, you just can't beat the comfort. The way I see it, if it's good enough for a queen, it's good enough for me.
Where can I buy it?
As previously mentioned, you can't shop Hypnos online. Instead, you'll have to check Hypnos's U.S. website to find the nearest mattress store that carries the brand.
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