I’m new to the MU, but not far from Shovlin, where I’ll be heading soon. We’re shopping for a queen mattress for our guest room. Since it will be used (albeit briefly) by folks with different sizes, shapes and maladies, I’m wondering if anyone here can recommend a guest bed (from Shovlin or otherwise) that has made their guests happy sleepers. Thanks!
Hi mfrank,
Welcome to the Mattress Forum! 
I usually recommend something in the “medium/medium-firm” range for a guest bedroom, as that will tend to work best for a wide variety of visitors. Hotels generally use the same philosophy, going with firmer mattresses and then more comfortable top-of-bed products to achieve a more medium comfort. Of course, since it is your mattress, you may wish to choose a comfort that is agreeable to you, as chances are you may end up using it more than your guests for naps, when one of you isn’t feeling well, etc. Staying with a more traditional innerspring design versus memory foam or latex is also usually a “safer” choice.
As you’re probably already aware, Shovlin is a member of this site which means that I think very highly of them and that I believe that they compete well with the best in the industry in terms of their quality, value, service, knowledge, and transparency. They have a wide selection of double-sided mattresses which should last as long as you use them in a guest-room situation. A model like the Summit would be a good starting point (also available in a pillowtop version that is a bit softer). The Royale would be a bit firmer and a step up. They can also do custom work, so if you visit and let them know the application is for a guest room (where you usually desire decent quality but don’t wish to spend a million dollars 
) they may have other suggestions for you as well.
I’ll be interested in learning about the results of your visit and if you find anything you like, or if you have other questions I may answer.
Phoenix
Hi Phoenix–
Thanks for your welcoming message. I’m just back from Shovlin where Steve helped me select a Summit pillowtop for our guest room. Both my wife and I found the one on the sales floor to be very comfortable. So, as you suggest, it should work well when one of us needs to sleep on it. Steve was helpful, corny jokes and all. We were surprised at how busy the place was. People were coming in every few minutes and I suspect they sold a lot of mattresses today.
While we were there, we priced a Nirvana that we may use to replace our old Sealy. To isolate my nocturnal flip flops, Steve suggested we go with two extra long twins, giving us the size of a king, but with more isolation and flexibility. 6K with the adjustable platform, but delightfully comfortable in the showroom. We’ll see.
I have to admit that all of the detailed info on this site was making my head hurt. But the most valuable piece of information turned out to be the recommendation for Shovlin.
Thanks, Phoenix!
Hi mfrank,
You’re welcome!
I’m glad that you were able to find something that fits your needs for the spare room, and congratulations on your new mattress! :cheer: You certainly chose a good quality product and this should last quite some time in your guest room, and I’m glad that you chose a product that both of you enjoy as well.
While latex does a decent job at motion isolation, nothing beats two twin extra long separate mattresses, and this also gives you the ability in the adjustable bed situation to optimize your own comfort settings of head and foot elevation. The Nirvana uses good quality materials and certainly would be worthy of your consideration “down the road” should you chose to replace your old Sealy mattress.
I’m happy that you were able to “drill down” to the most pertinent data!
Thank you again for your update.
Phoenix