What Is A Futon Bed In A Hotel? (Explained)

Any time you are staying in a hotel you check without fail what type of bed they had. After all, it is a need for your good night’s sleep and comfort.

Some hotels do offer futon beds, traditional Japanese bedding, as an option but what are they, and what purpose do they serve?

Let’s find out.

Here’s What A Futon Bed In A Hotel Is

Futons in hotels are pieces of furniture that can be used as a couch during the day and then pulled out to make a bed when needed. They are very similar to the futons that are found in residential bedrooms but some hotels refer to their sofa beds as futons. The term is used loosely in the hotel industry so it can sometimes be hard to tell which type of futon a hotel’s room description is referring to.

This Article Contains

Here's What A Futon Bed In A Hotel Is
Is A Futon Bed In A Hotel Comfortable?
What Are Futon Beds In Hotels Made Of?
Are Futon Beds In Hotels The Same As At Home Or In Stores?
Which Hotels In The USA Have Futon Beds?
Final Thoughts
Sources

When futons are not in use, they can work as a sofa during the day or they can even be rolled up and stored.

Western society became interested in futons when they became available as an alternative to traditional American mattresses that are firmer, and more spine-aligning.

Through time, futons evolved into thicker, more comfortable bed frames and sofa beds combined with pullout beds. Modern sofa sleepers and futons are often interchanged in American furniture terms today.

You may be expecting the same type of futon you have in your home or have seen in residential furniture stores, but this may not always be what you get when you arrive at the hotel.

It’s important to look at pictures of the room you are interested in before you book it to make sure you are getting the type of sleeping arrangements you want.

Related:

Is A Futon Bed In A Hotel Comfortable?

Having a futon can allow you to make the most of your space in an apartment or room since you won’t have to have a couch and a sleeping space.

There are many types of futons, but essentially one is a folding mattress attached to a couch-like piece of furniture.

The futon can either be folded into the couch or unfolded and utilized as a spare bed for guests.

The different shapes and sizes of futon mattresses allow you to choose which is the most comfortable for you, just like the different thicknesses of mattresses.

When in its sleeping position, a futon is not very different from a bed in terms of comfort.

Nevertheless, this depends on the futon’s quality and the frame on which it is placed. As cheaper futons normally have a lower quality frame that doesn’t support weight well, they will be uncomfortable to sleep on for long periods of time.

Futons with cheaper frames often have mesh or thick bars so that pressure is applied to the mattress, causing it to dig into the mattress and become extremely uncomfortable.

The futon frame is made from better materials if you choose a more expensive futon.

Sleeping on some futons would be like sleeping in a normal bed since they are made of the same material as most mattresses.

Metal-framed mattresses that are more expensive will have flexible slats, which will distribute weight better than metal bars.

Mattresses on futons are always firmer than those on sofa beds or beds. Futons fold up into couches as they are, and couches need to be firmer than beds.

Small children and the elderly would have difficulty getting into and out of a futon with a soft and squishy base.

The futon may not be comfortable if you are only used to soft, squishy beds. It won’t differ from a high-quality mattress at all if you’re comfortable in a firmer bed.

What Are Futon Beds In Hotels Made Of?

In addition to different materials being used to build futons, two particular materials come to mind when it comes to its frames: wood and metal.

Wood Framed

The majority of futons are constructed with wood frames, which provide stability and durability. In addition to being a stable foundation, hardwood is also a stunning and classic material.

Hardwood frames are flexible enough to withstand conversions from sofa to bed, no matter what you use them for. It is also possible to add storage underneath the futon with a wooden frame if you wish. Every room’s interior decor and design will look great with its appearance.

Despite its lightness, it is heavy, making it challenging to move from one place to another or reposition from sofa to bed.

Metal Frame

It is considered lighter to move and reposition a futon with a metal frame as opposed to one with a wooden frame. These locks and mechanisms make them flexible, so they can be easily altered and molded. You can adjust the frame according to your comfort level.

Metal frames don’t have the timeless and rustic appeal of wooden frames. Additionally, they don’t last as long and can be less durable.

Are Futon Beds In Hotels The Same As At Home Or In Stores?

Some hotel rooms have futons that are the same as what you may purchase for your home.

Hotels or motels that are considered budget-friendly or are not high-end, are more likely to have futons similar to those found in many homes.

Other hotels, especially those that are upper scale will have more luxurious futons. They may be made with better materials and even have sturdier designs. Many hotels also refer to their sofa beds as futons.

Since sofa beds are also used for both a bed for sleeping and a couch for sitting, they are very similar to futons. There are furniture lines that design furniture specifically for hotel use. This includes futons.

Hotel furniture is often made to be more durable than residential furniture. This is because it is used more often and hotel guests are rougher on furniture.

This type of futon can also be more expensive than residential futons and not all hotels are willing to invest the extra money in these futons. Some may still choose to use residential futons in their hotel rooms.

Which Hotels In The USA Have Futon Beds?

There are many hotels in the USA and throughout the world that offer futon beds.

Some offer them instead of traditional beds or instead of couches and sofa beds. Others offer them as additional beds for children or extra guests.

Most hotels share the types of beds they offer in each room in the room descriptions but you can also call the hotel of your choice directly to find out if they have futons available.

Here are a few of the hotels in the USA that offer futon beds.

Final Thoughts

Hotels often use the word futon to describe any type of furniture that can be used for sitting and sleeping. Most hotels offer sofa beds in place of traditional futons, but some do have actual futon beds available. If you have a preference, contact the hotel before you book to find out more about the furniture in each room. Many hotels also offer virtual tours of their rooms or photos that will give you an idea of the type of futon you can find there.