A flawlessly made bed is more than a sign of cleanliness—it’s the guest’s first tactile and visual connection with your property. In hospitality, where comfort and perception drive repeat business, the bed serves as both a functional necessity and a brand signature. Wrinkle-free sheets, fluffed pillows, and precise folds speak volumes about operational discipline, training, and guest care.
In this guide, we cover the essentials of hotel bed making, from bed styles to step-by-step methods, and explore how technology can streamline operations while enhancing the guest experience.
Why Bed Making Matters
Hotel bed making isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a cornerstone of operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.
A clean, comfortable, and consistently styled bed can directly impact your hotel's bottom line. And here's something worth considering - as the Global Wellness economy has skyrocketed to a staggering £5.6 trillion value in 2025, guests are increasingly focused on comfort and cleanliness as essential components of their wellness experience.
Popular Hotel Bed-Making Styles
Different types of hotels adopt different bed-making styles to reflect their service level and brand identity:
- Closed Bed: A formal setup where the bedspread covers all layers, offering a crisp, tidy look ideal for business hotels.
- Open Bed: A more relaxed and inviting style where linen layers are partially visible, common in resorts and boutique hotels.
- Turndown Service: A hallmark of luxury. This style involves partially unmaking the bed, often accompanied by small gifts, dim lighting, and mood setting.
- Hospital Corners: A technique known for its sharp, military-style folds, used to create a pristine, upscale impression.
Choose a bed-making style that aligns with your hotel’s image and guest expectations.
Step-by-Step Techniques & Bed-Making Etiquette
Here’s a professional 8-step approach to bed making that balances hygiene, appearance, and comfort:
Do:
- Replace all linens between guests
- Use gloves for sanitation
- Ensure symmetry for visual appeal
Don’t:
- Reuse unwashed decorative items
- Over-tighten sheets (can be uncomfortable)
- Ignore items under the bed (guests do check!)
Housekeeping Procedures & Efficiency Tips
Consistency in bed making is driven by streamlined housekeeping operations. A clear standard operating procedure (SOP) saves time, reduces errors, and improves quality.
Core Procedures:
- Pre-shift Briefing: Update housekeepers on occupancy and special guest notes.
- Trolley Prep: Organize linens by category (e.g., bath, bed, decorative).
- Room Entry Etiquette: Knock and announce before entering. Greet guests if present.
- SOP Compliance: Follow the 8-step bed-making method without skipping details.
- Inspection Protocol: Use checklists to verify quality before marking rooms as ready.
- Issue Reporting: Flag any damage or missing items immediately.
Efficiency Hacks:
- Pre-folded Linens: Save setup time.
- Wrinkle-free Fabrics: Reduces ironing needs.
- Color-coded Tags: Simplifies linen sorting.
- Zippered Duvet Covers: Faster than buttons or snaps.
Enhancing Guest Experience
Guests notice the details—especially when it comes to beds. Consider adding memorable touches to turn your bed into a guest highlight:
- Towel Origami: Simple, charming, and especially popular with families or honeymooners.
- Scented Room Mist: Adds a layer of comfort with a calming fragrance like lavender or citrus.
- Turn-Down Gifts: A chocolate on the pillow or a note about tomorrow’s weather adds a personal touch.
- Branded Elements: Embroidered pillows or custom throws reinforce your identity and add sophistication.
These low-cost additions can elevate your reviews and leave a lasting impression.
Case Study: Personalization Driving Higher Satisfaction
Leading hotels like Appellation have demonstrated that personalization starts before guests even arrive. Their website experience adapts to visitor behavior, showing different content based on browsing patterns, past bookings, and dining preferences. This personalization approach has directly contributed to higher revenue and profitability by creating tailored experiences from the very first touchpoint.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Even experienced teams can face recurring issues. Here’s how to tackle them:
Training staff to recognize and fix these issues ensures consistent room quality.
Technology Integration: Hotelogix
With Hotelogix Housekeeping Module, you can:
- Track Room Status in Real-Time: Know instantly which rooms need attention.
- Auto-Assign Tasks: Streamline staffing based on check-in/check-out flow.
- Digitize SOP Checklists: Ensure every step is followed and documented.
- Enable Supervisor Approvals: Maintain oversight before releasing a room for guests.
“Hotelogix ensures every room meets brand standards before the guest walks in—without manual tracking.”
When paired with a web booking engine and channel manager, your operations become fully integrated, improving guest satisfaction and backend efficiency.
Final Thoughts
A hotel bed isn’t just a place to sleep—it’s a key marketing asset, a quality control checkpoint, and a guest experience differentiator. Through standardized SOPs, attention to detail, and smart tech adoption, hoteliers can turn every room into a five-star impression.
In a market where reputation is everything, a flawlessly made bed is not just nice to have—it’s a business imperative.