First I wanted to say “thank you” for the wealth of knowledge contained in your website/forum. Ill make this post for others reference, to add the database, but mostly for those in San Diego.
Quick background: Coming from a Tempurpedic, not sure exact model, that I originally bought on a military base while stationed in Japan. Didnt want to collect a lot of furniture and placed the mattress on the floor. Japan being humid as it is the underside of the mattress developed some mold and I removed the cover. I bought a mattress protector in its place that was too “plastic-ee” and ended up removing it. 6 years later body oils have destroyed the foam and the mattress it no longer comfortable.Live and learn, not a cheap lesson, but thats what life gave me.
Present: I started researching mattresses some months ago and never really follow through. Having some time off from work lately gave me the the opportunity to actually get out there and try a couple different stores. I first tried Mattress Makers and then Real Deal Mattress, both located in San Diego.
Real Deal Mattress: The place is done up to be inviting, faux waterfalls, moody lighting, etc. Much larger selection. The owner JD is a bro, if you dont know the personality please refer to Google. He wasnt pushy just the type that really makes it seem he knows his stuff and is a bit boisterous about it. Just relax… bro. The latex and latex hybrid I tried here werent anywhere near what I experience at Mattress Makers. The straight latex was Talalay and only 6 inches, it was a Pure Latex Bliss model. The hybrid was only 2 inches of Talalay and then pocketed springs, cant recall the brand. Both were priced for me at $1799 + shipping @ $90.
Mattress Makers: Obscure location, a commercial park I suppose its called… Very small “showroom” but it has everything you need. Primarily latex/hybrid latex. Pablo and his brother Sam run the place and I dealt with Pablo on both occasions. Great guy, knows his stuff, and wasnt a typical salesman, not pushy AT ALL.
Both the straight latex and hybrids were great. I found I like a firmer mattress. When I brought my wife along she didnt much like the hybrid and we debated between firm/medium. The firm took the cake and whats more is that it was on sale as a floor model as they are currently updating that model to match the rest with a newer cover thats 100% organic as opposed to 75% or something absurd. I dont mind if its not 100% organic, as long as the wool/cotton topper is nice. This is, of course, to meet the picky needs to some consumers.
So the mattress is:
“Solana Firm”
Cotton/wool topped cover
3" Dunlop Comfort
6" Dunlop Support
w/ NaturePedic Protector (took their word on this one, seemed nice. Cloth-like, not “pastic-ee”.
I asked the ILD Rating out of curiosity, Pablo informed me its ~36. I honestly lay on my floor sometimes while watching TV because I like the firmness.
Floor model (50% off) came out to $1200 although I would have been willing to pay full price any day of the week.
Free shipping over $600 or so is a plus
I had gone to Mattress Makers first because it had great reviews, although fewer than most places, and their product “seemed like” it was quality. As far as I can tell after the actual visit/experience I made no mistake and didnt even need to look elsewhere. Only to be fair I had gone to Real Deal.
Thanks again Phoenix for providing such a great website. If anyone I know is ever looking for insight to the world of mattress I know where to direct them!
