A contract bed guide for hoteliers: Meeting demand

The New Year  is often the time that most of us think ahead. We make plans and usually, in the hotel industry anyway, it’s a good time of year to look at refurbishment and the changes we want to make.

Usually when you are looking at a refurbishment for your hotel, it’s the aesthetics which are prioritised. The paintwork is in fact the first thing we tend to look at but how often is it that we take a look under the covers to see the state of our contract beds?

Therefore, in today’s blog we address how to identify worn out, old contract beds and what you should take note of to ensure optimum comfort for your guests in 2013.

So, where to begin? How exactly do you identify the symptoms of a worn out hotel contract bed? You have to make a checklist. If you have a lot of rooms and a lot of beds, you need to delegate the checklists to your staff. Ask the following questions;

1. Are there ‘dips’ in the bed?
2. Are there springs visible on the mattress?
3. Are the edges of the mattress frayed?
4. Do people regularly complain of back or neck ache when they sleep in the bed?
5. Are there missing tufts in the mattress?

If the answers to any or many of these questions come back “yes,” buying new hotel contract beds for the rooms that failed the check is imperative for your future guests.

As a hotelier or as a hotel manager this may seem like an expense that you could do without. The current economic situation in the UK is enough reason to put it off. Millbrook Contract Beds understand this. However, through this non-maintenance the standards of the hotel and the contract beds will only spiral into decline, as will the guest experience. Any hotelier knows that a stay at a hotel is entirely about the guest experience. Providing a great night’s sleep to your guests generates generous word of mouth and will eventually lead to repeat custom. Negative comments spread quite quickly and you could risk seeing a drop in new or repeat bookings. As the old adage goes, it can take a lifetime to build up a good reputation but only take minutes to destroy it.

Keep in mind that new contract beds will last you a good eight to ten year period. You will get maximum benefits from replacing the worn contract beds ASAP. Millbrook offers a service where your old hotel contract beds get picked-up and removed and the new replacements brought in. This will give you a minimum of hassle when it comes to the disposal of old and the delivery of new.

Of course, you may need advice on what types of beds to get. There are many blogs and articles on this site that can help you with almost any aspect of contract bed buying. We recommend you take a look at our previous blogs on Improving your fill rates and Contract beds for use in the UK hotel sector for more specific advice.

Alternatively, you can contact Millbrook Contract Beds directly. We are happy to give you holistic advice for free so you can help to maintain the best quality and standard of service in your business as possible.

Improve your star rating with the finest contract beds

For hoteliers, the star rating is of vital importance when marketing the business to potential guests. The star rating is a general indicator and reflection of the quality of the hotel itself, although individual circumstances must be taken into account.

The mainstay of any star rated hotel is the contract beds that are available to suit guest expectation and requirements.

The Five Star seal of approval

The Economy class of one-star hotels is essentially a no-frills deal. The rooms are usually small, the decor is functional and they generally cater to the budget travellers.

The Value class of two-star hotels are again, basic accommodation, perhaps offering private bathrooms and television, but all in all, limited amenities.

The Quality class of three-star establishments begin to take on a greater emphasis on a satisfying guest experience with on-site dining, additional hotel services such as baggage assistance and the guestrooms are certainly more extensive in what they offer to the guest.

The Superior class of four-star hotels offer concierge services, conference rooms, valet parking etc. But their stronghold are their luxury rooms with the added benefits of stylish furnishings, an extensive variety of amenities and most importantly of all, fine quality, high standard beds and bedding.

Finally, the Exceptional class of five-star hotels are considered the finest hotels in the world. They offer the highest possible standard of service with the embellishments of interior design stylistics, grand architectural aesthetic, an abundance of gourmet cuisines for fine dining and a fast track, 24-hour room service. The recreational facilities can be anything from friendly tennis courts to sprawling golf courses while the luxurious spa centres exemplify relaxation. But the guestrooms are the real prizes at five-star hotels. They are comprised of premium bedding with everything from high-speed internet access to widescreen TV’s and DVD players.

The hotels that do not manage to attain a star rating are often referred to as half-star hotels, which classify the hotels that have differing levels of amenities, property type and property-class characteristics, and varying degrees in the quality of service.

However, the class system does not mean that hotels below par with four and five star luxury hotels cannot provide fine quality contract beds for their guests. After all, contract beds are the most crucial element of any hotel room.

Millbrook contract beds offer a wide range of contract beds that have a proven track record for supplying comfort, luxury and pleasing aesthetics to the hotel and leisure industry. These contract beds help to provide the right holistic experience for guests. This guarantees to provide personal recommendations, which is the strongest arm of advertising available.

The star rated system for hotels factors in, in a very big way, the quality and comfort of the contract beds in each room. Guests expect and demand that more than any other aspect of their hotel stays.

If you are a hotelier looking to increase your bookings, or if you are indeed looking to climb that hotel star ladder and improve your quality of service, amenities and overall excellence, start in the guestrooms with the contract beds.

Millbrook contracts beds’ International collection is tailored to hotel services specifically;

The President is top of the range. It has individually hand nested pocket springs and a choice of comfort levels. Mattresses come available in standard or firmer comfort while there is a choice of base, leg and fabric options. The materials consist of quality fire retardant woven damask upholstery and extravagant fillings which include pure cotton, durable polyester and luxury pashmina. It’s not called The President for nothing. It’s fit for one.

The President contract bed

As a hotelier, of course, budget must be a consideration. If you have thirty rooms to fill with thirty new beds, you need to make an investment. The only way to increase star rating is by upping your game and the standard of the hotel, and that costs money. When it comes to the contract beds, Millbrook deals so regularly with the hotel industry that the prices and deals are incredibly reasonable. There is no need to worry about accentuated or spiralling costs if you know who to come to.

The Hotel contract bed is a popular choice for many hotels, hence its name. It has open coil spring and a deep mattress. It is the classic firm option bed with fresh, practical hardwearing 100% cotton upholstery and a choice of leg and fabric options on the divan base. Mattresses are available in the custom style of standard comfort. It is practical, comfortable and affordable.

The Hotel contract bed

A star rating means status, it means standards, it means quality, it makes people want to stay with you. If you’re a half-star looking to become a one-star or a one-star looking to become a two-star and so on, you can achieve this only by starting by developing what is at the heart of your business, and that is the guest experience. All guests measure their hotel experiences by the quality of sleep they had and the quality of the contract bed they slept in.

Are you replacing your contract bed enough?

The Sleep Council has recently undertaken some research and has looked at whether the average age of a beds life is actual shorter than as previously thought, identifying that many beds (including contract beds) lose the capability to provide adequate support after only a few years – especially if they have seen considerable use.   The average life of a bed is usually about ten years, however this new research could have us looking at whether we are changing our contract beds enough.  In line with National Bed Month, these new findings are helping to raise general awareness of the importance of a good night’s sleep, which any hotelier knows is an essential part of good customer service.

In the hotel and leisure industry it may be difficult to assess the impact of this new information released from the Sleep Council and possibly even more difficult to know what to do. The first problem is that you may not know exactly just how old your hotel room contract beds are. For example you may have recently purchased the business and have not had access to the contract bed purchase records, or you may be a Duty Manager in charge of quality control and you were not working at the hotel when the contract beds were originally bought and furnished in the rooms. The second problem is if you find out that any of your contract beds, or perhaps even all of your contract beds, are older than seven years – how can you assess their actual quality correctly?

In today’s blog we are going to focus on how to identify these issues and give you some advice on managing your quality control.

• Firstly, take a look at all of the contract beds in the hotel / academic institution/ healthcare environment.
• Next identify the types of contract beds you have.  Are they divans?  Frames?  Look at the edges and general stability of the contract beds and keep an eye out for:
  • Beds that look old and worn.
  • Mattresses that feel lumpy, as if the stuffing has moved around.
  • Beds that make noises, e.g. the sound of the springs creaking.
  • A mattress that sags in the middle, causing a dip that can easily be rolled into.
  • Legs that are wobbly/unstable.
  • Is the mattress and bed base from the same manufacturer or are they separate items used together?  Sometimes to save money, people make the mistake of replacing a contract bed mattress and not the base.  This is generally not a good idea as both base and mattress combine to provide support and comfort – so you may need to look at replacing both items to ensure quality and good sleep for your guests.

Once you’ve done this little check list, it’s now time to look at how you can tell just how old your contract beds really are!

• Look for any documentation pertaining to when they were purchased. If it’s over ten years ago, then you will probably need to factor some new purchases into your budget and do some fairly rigorous testing.
• Have the warranties been retained and filed somewhere?
• Are there receipts that state the date of purchase available?
• Do any of the contract beds have labels which might give additional information about the manufacturer?

Probably one of the most common ways to discover if your contract beds are past-it is if you receive any complaints from guests. If you have more than one guest make a comment about a specific contract bed being uncomfortable or a guest telling you they did not get a good night’s sleep,  a bed check should be carried out. The answers to all the above questions will help you determine whether or not any of the beds are in need of replacing. For further advice on testing the suitability of a bed see our previous contract bed blog here or contact us for some help or read our previous blog.

Once you have tested and identified any and all beds that do not meet the standard of quality and comfort, and that you know or suspect have extended past the seven year replacement cycle, it is time to plan on how you will replace and refurnish these beds whilst causing as minimal disruption to the business as possible. We will look at the solutions to these problems and potential scenarios in the second part of this blog, but please see our blogs on disposing of a contract beds and take a look at our range, to see the variety of contract beds that we offer that are economical and can fulfil a number of quality levels.

Remember, changing your contract beds in the UK needn’t be a massive hassle if you choose the right supplier and plan things.

Millbrook Contract Beds offers holistic advice to a range of clients in the UK who run hotels, healthcare establishments and academic / conference styled environments so we have a lot of experience and free advice on contract beds to offer.

Buying a Contract Bed in the UK

Continuing on from our previous blog focusing on our Academic Collection, today we’re taking a little look at The Residence Contract Bed, which is designed for those offering conference facilities and hoteliers or industries where a space saving sleeping solution may be required.

The Residence Contract Bed offers a lot in terms of quality and economy and it is a great choice if you have a relatively significant turnover of changing guests.

The Residence Contract Bed has a PVC mattress cover which makes it a perfect option if you would like to maintain optimum hygiene to your guests and it obviously also makes it very easy to clean.

It is hard wearing and comfortable and works very well if you need a contract bed for use in a multitude of locations with a high durability.

The Residence Contract Bed is a great option for Academic Halls of residence, conference centres and hoteliers who perhaps need to accommodate a group booking in one room at short notice.

It is available as a single and non-standard sizes are also available, should you need something a little more customised from your Contract Bed.

Millbrook Contract Beds in the UK is a leading supplier of contract beds to a variety of industries and offers an impartial, holistic advice service to those looking to buy their next Contract Bed.

We are always happy to answer questions and assist you in making the right choice for your budget so please contact us for more information.

Contract Beds for the Acamedic and Conference Industry

In this our final series of blogs about our Contract Bed range, we are going to look at contract beds within our Academic Collection.

This series of contract beds offers optimum durability along with value for money to establishments that have halls of residence or who are often required to provide conference facilities to guests.

One factor in this collection is the fact that the contract beds are durable and easy to keep clean, as they include wipe clean mattresses, but also offer a lot of flexibility.

Our Contract bed today is called The Conference, which is a good quality and economical contract bed suitable for a number of uses.

The Conference has an open coil mattress on a metal skid leg base and with a wipe clean, highly breathable mattress cover you’ll find it is easy to maintain in terms of hygiene and cleanliness.

The fabric used also dissipates body heat and because it contains high levels of woollen felt you can be sure that your guests will be very comfortable when they sleep!

The Conference Contract Bed also comes in a multitude of sizes, which include single, double, king size, super king and even a zip and link, making it a great choice if you need a lot of flexibility.

The Conference Contract Bed has a number of uses, which aren’t just restricted to academic or conference needs as it makes a great space saving option if you are a hotelier that needs to provide extra beds at short notice or if you need to accommodate group room bookings.

As is always the case, Millbrook Contract Beds in the UK offers a holistic approach to your contract bed needs and we are happy to provide impartial advice if you are looking at buying your next contract bed and are unsure of the best solutions.

Contract Beds for the Healthcare Industry

In our previous blog we looked at The Therapy Contract Bed, suitable for mature guests that may require an extra level of comfort and in this final blog about the Healthcare Contract Bed Collection, we are going to be looking at The Purity Contract Bed, an extremely popular contract bed in the Millbrook Contract Bed range.

The Purity Contract Bed is what we would term an opulent action bed offering a variety of comfort levels to guests that require relaxation and recuperation.

The contract bed includes a five way adjustable action with an integrated handset control, making it a good choice for you if you are keen to offer ultimate comfort to your guests at all times with ease.  Literally by the push of a button you can offer your guest the supportive position they need with no effort and very quietly – meaning that it is a good choice for rooms with more than one guest in them.

It is also available with chrome corner protectors, which offers protection if the contract bed needs to be moved regularly, but most importantly it is luxurious and highly functional, making it an excellent choice for the healthcare industry.

It offers guests the extra comfort they need while offer you a safe and practical way of delivering that comfort.

Millbrook Contract Beds has over 60 years experience within the Contract Bed industry and can provide impartial advice to clients who are looking to buy their next Contract Bed.

We have worked with a variety of industries and are happy to assist you in answering any questions you may have, but we are also happy to offer advice based on your specific industry needs.

Contract beds in the UK and the ranges available

Last week we spent some time discussing what you should look for when purchasing a contract bed in terms of mattress, bed base and internal spring structure and how to tell a good quality contract bed from a very basic one.

Moving on from this, we thought it would be a good idea to look at the actual contract bed range that we offer at Millbrook contract beds, as well as uses for the contract bed in terms of industry as this can often be an important factor when choosing beds, along with cost of course.

In fact, the recent VAT increase is going to factor highly for many businesses this year, particularly within the service industries where quality cannot be compromised, so hopefully our next series of blogs will offer everything you need to make the right choice.

Millbrook Contract Beds offer an amazing range of beds for the hotel and contract market.  We’ve been doing it for over 60 years and we like to think our holistic approach to the supply of contract beds allows us to offer clients an unrivalled service that offers fully support and impartial advice.

Our range of contract beds comprise of three areas.  Today we’re going to focus on Millbrook Contract Beds International Collection – which offers the very highest quality to clients along with an impressive variety of choice.

If you are running a high end hotel or luxury establishment of any kind then you will know that your guests demand luxury with a contract bed to match so if that’s you, then this information will be of interest.

Our International Contract Bed collection includes high quality pocket sprung beds that are specially designed and crafted to be responsive to the contours of a body, offering an amazing level of comfort.

Our top of the range contract bed is called The President and is best suited to the discerning client who demands the very best quality, both from a comfort point of view but also an aesthetic one.  To this end you can have a choice of bases, legs and fabric options, making it a fantastic contract bed choice if you need to match it with your current decor.

The President has 2000 individually hand nested pocket springs, is completely Quality fire retardant and includes beautifully woven upholstery, luxurious fillings such as pure cotton, durable polyester and stunning pashmina.

It also has 3 rows of hand side stitches that clearly show it has been crafted with great care and attention too.

There are two mattresses available which include ‘standard’ and ‘firmer comfort’ so if you are looking to offer a range of sleeping experiences and require the very best quality this is going to be the bed of choice for you.

As a contract bed, this is by far the best of the best and is suitable for any industry where top level quality of contract bed factors in your own guest’s experience, as well as longevity in terms of use.

It comes in a variety of sizes (including an option for a non-standard size contract bed) and there are a number of drawer options too, making it great for guests that are likely to stay a long time.

If you would like know more about The President contract bed or indeed would like impartial advice on your next contract bed, please do contact us.

Millbrook Contract Beds offers impartial advice on the use and purchase of a contract bed to a number of industries including the marine industry, hotel industry and luxury service industry.

Contract Beds and their Bases

Navigating the world of contract beds can be a difficult task.  As well as the mattresses and the upholstery there is also the base, which for many can often be relevant to their overall style (particularly a hotel that may need to locate a contract bed that is in-keeping with their decor).

Therefore, in our series of blogs,

Contract Beds, What’s Inside A Mattress

And Contract Beds, Upholstery Of The Mattress

We have tried to identify the key areas that are relevant to any business looking at a contract bed and what you need to know in order to distinguish them from one another.

So, with the base of a contract bed, what do you need to know?

There are actually a number of contract bed bases and they all have different benefits and features, relevant to a variety of uses.

The Solid top/Storage base is extremely popular to businesses who believe that a hard bed is a good thing.  However, the problem with a hard bed is that it is not always suitable to every person and therefore does not always offer a comfortable night’s sleep.

While an orthopaedic bed can be of use for the short-term , it is certainly not generally considered useful as a long-term sleeping option to the average person, or indeed the average business looking for the right contract bed.

Therefore, the best kind of contract bed base is actually one that offers comfort as well as good sleep.  So a mixture of a good mattress, good upholstery and strong contract bed base will of course complement each other, thus leading to the very best for the majority of people.

Sprung bases offer perhaps the best levels of comfort and do prolong the life of a mattress.  So if you are looking at your next contract bed, it may be wise to consider reading all our blogs before you do.

After all, the average life of a bed is 10 years (shorter for contract beds) and depending on level of use can become a harbour for bacteria, so it is extremely important to ensure you give yourself the best chance when looking for your next contract bed, and choose the right one for your business needs.

Millbrook Contract Beds can offer a number of solutions to businesses looking for the right kind of contract bed and with over 60 year experience within the industry we are always happy to offer free advice.