Why Hotels Choose Duvet Covers Over Comforters—and Why You May Want To, Too

The best hotels have a special way of somehow making you feel more relaxed than you even do at home. Interior design, ambience, and catered hospitality play a big role here, but so do bedding choices.

Hotel beds offer up the fluffiest pillows and crispest linens. And many ultimately choose duvet inserts and covers over comforters, a smart choice rooted in comfort, convenience, and hygiene. Ahead, we spoke to bedding and hospitality experts about the benefits of duvets; here's what they said.

Why Hotels Use Duvet Covers

Hotels prioritize guest comfort, simplified housekeeping, and impeccable hygiene—and this is precisely why duvets win over comforters time and again. 

"From a hospitality standpoint, we prefer duvet covers because they create a far more elevated guest experience," says Dearrick Knupp, owner of Fox & Bear Lodge, an historic boutique hotel in Glenwood, New Jersey. "The bed always looks crisp, clean, and luxurious—more in line with what guests expect from a boutique hotel."

Another reason why hotels use duvet covers is that they’re more hygienic. In fact, from a hygiene standpoint, Knupp says duvet covers are among the cleanest bedding systems a hotel can use because the guest sleeps directly beneath a fully removable, freshly laundered cover for every stay, much like a giant pillowcase around the insert. "We also love the practicality," he says. "They are easier to launder and refresh between guests than heavy comforters, which helps us maintain a consistently high standard of cleanliness and presentation." 

The Benefits of Using a Duvet at Home

The perks of using a duvet insert and cover in your home mirror those hotels choose for comforters. 

“Duvet covers are easier to remove and wash, and they allow you to refresh your bedding style seasonally, making it simple to customize temperature levels by switching out the insert inside,” says Griffith. “They also turn your bedroom into a fun way to show your personality.” 

Expert Tips on Choosing (and Using) Duvet Covers and Inserts

If you’re sold on the idea of duvets, follow these expert tips for choosing and using them. 

Consider the Fabric

Fabric quality truly matters when it comes to bedding. “Breathable, natural materials like organic cotton or linen can help with temperature regulation and overall comfort,” says Lainey Hollis, senior vice president of product creation at Boll & Branch. For example, organic cotton is designed to feel buttery soft and breathable year-round, while percale offers a cooler, crisper feel and is perfect for those who sleep hotter. 

Choose the Best Duvet Insert

Holis says to look for an insert with a little extra fullness for a more loft and a luxurious drape. It’s also important to choose the right insert weight based on your climate and sleep preferences, since lighter inserts work well for hot sleepers while heavier options provide extra warmth and coziness. 

Get the Sizing Right

Another way to get a full, luxurious look is to size up, Griffith says. For example, using a king duvet on a queen bed or a queen-size duvet on a full bed. This allows for more draping over the bed edges. Plus, there’s more to share if you’re sleeping next to another. You can also use a slightly smaller duvet cover over the duvet insert for a fuller look. 

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Look at the Little Details

Small construction details in the duvet cover can also make a big difference in everyday usability. "Zipper closures are typically much faster and easier to use than traditional buttons when removing the cover for washing," Griffith says, "and features like corner ties help keep the insert securely in place and prevent shifting or bunching."

Use Good Technique

A good method is to start by inserting the two top corners of the comforter into the top corners of the duvet cover. “Once aligned, hold those corners from outside the cover, then fold everything in half along the vertical midpoint and ease the comforter into the bottom corners,” Hollis says. “A good, easy shake while holding the bottom corners helps fluff and align the layers.”