Today we're tackling the Shire Hotel Deluxe 1000 Pocket Contract Mattress which is a high-quality mattress designed specifically for the contract and hospitality industry and manufactured by the reasonably well-known Shire Beds. I got my hands on this one while looking at contract options for landlords and small hotels, and it was one of those mattresses that feels more 'proper' in person than it reads on a spec sheet. This mattress is part of a larger Contract collection from Shire, a UK-based company that specialises in creating comfortable and durable mattresses.
One of the standout features of this mattress is its construction. The mattress is made up of 1000 individual pocket springs that contour to your bodies every movement in order to provide additional support in key areas. When I pressed down with my palm and then my forearm, you can feel the springs reacting in smaller pockets rather than the whole surface moving as one, which is what you want in a busy guest room. These pocket springs also have the added benefit of being more breathable than competing support systems, aiding in breathability and making for a great all season product.
On top of these pocket springs, the mattress has a deep and fairly luxurious layer of cotton and wool. Running my hand across the top, it has that slightly 'dry' natural fibre feel rather than the slick feel you get with a lot of synthetic quilting, and it doesn't feel like it's going to trap heat straight away. These materials are again, very much breathable with additional cooling properties that can be experienced from this particular configuration. The finish of this layer is also finished with a sumptuously soft 100% cotton cover that is hand-tufted for optimum performance while ensuring adequate and measured settlement.
When it comes to the tension, the Shire Hotel Deluxe 1000 Pocket Contract Mattress is rated as medium to firm, providing the perfect balance of comfort and support. Lying on my back, it kept my hips up nicely and I didn't get that hammock feeling, so I can see why it suits a lot of back pain sufferers. Side sleeping was a bit more hit and miss for me, if you're lighter or bony around the shoulder you might find the medium-firm feel a touch too unforgiving unless you've already got a softer topper in the mix. What's more, the mattress is also double-sided, which means it needs to be flipped on a regular basis to ensure continued support but, while more labour intensive, does mean you get better durability regardless of how you sleep. In a home that's fine, in a rental or hotel it's extra work, and if it ends up not being flipped it can start to feel uneven quicker than a no-flip design. This feature, when paired with the good quality pocket springs and wool fillings, helps to prolong the life of the mattress and ensure that your guests will have a comfortable night's sleep for years to come.
The main standout feature of the Shire Hotel Deluxe 1000 Pocket Contract Mattress is that it is compliant with BS177:2008 Source 5 (Medium Hazard) regulations, which make it suitable for use in both residential and commercial settings, appealing to the hotel and landlord industry in particular. If you're buying for a property, this is the bit I'd be checking first, and it's good to see it clearly stated rather than buried in the small print. This level of compliance is important for any mattress used in the contract and hospitality industry, as it ensures that the mattress is safe and durable enough to withstand frequent use.
Another benefit of the Shire Hotel Deluxe 1000 Pocket Contract Mattress is that it is made in the UK which means that the mattress is manufactured to a high standard and is subject to strict quality control. That said, 'made in the UK' doesn't automatically mean it's perfect, I'd still want to see clear care instructions included because with a double-sided mattress, rotation and flipping is half the battle. The mattress is also made with high-quality materials that are designed to last, evidenced by its UK manufacturing and good customer reviews.
In terms of comparison with other similar mattresses in the market, the Shire Hotel Deluxe 1000 Pocket Contract Mattress offers a good value proposition. The 1000 pocketed spring system offers a level of support and comfort that is often not found in mattresses at this price point. The natural cotton and wool layers, and 100% cotton cover also contribute to the mattress's high-quality feel and comfort. The one thing I'd say is that if you're expecting super-strong edge support for people sitting on the side to put shoes on, it isn't the most rigid edge I've tried, it compresses a bit like most pocket spring mattresses without a dedicated edge system. Further considerations are that there simply are not that many source 5 mattresses to choose from, particularly at this reasonable price point and with such positive reviews.
