A sleeper sofa is an easy way to increase occupancy and boost your nightly rate. However, the wrong sleeper sofa can lead to poor quality sleep, bad reviews, and maintenance headaches.
Let’s be honest: most sleeper sofas are a nightmare. They have thin mattresses, painful metal bars, and awkward pull-out mechanisms. That’s because they are meant for once-a-year use when your in-laws come to visit - not daily vacation rental use.
But it doesn't have to be that way for your vacation property. To help you find the best sleeper sofa for your property, we’ve tapped into the extensive hosting expertise of the HostGPO team, analyzed real guest feedback (both good and bad), and conducted our own personal sleep trials. This guide tells you everything you need to know so you can choose the perfect sleeper sofa for your property. Our favorite? The Axis 2-Seat Queen Sleeper Sofa by Crate & Barrel.
A sleeper sofa is an easy way to increase occupancy and boost your nightly rate. However, the wrong sleeper sofa can lead to poor quality sleep, bad reviews, and maintenance headaches.
Let’s be honest: most sleeper sofas are a nightmare. They have thin mattresses, painful metal bars, and awkward pull-out mechanisms. That’s because they are meant for once-a-year use when your in-laws come to visit - not daily vacation rental use.
But it doesn't have to be that way for your vacation property. To help you find the best sleeper sofa for your property, we’ve tapped into the extensive hosting expertise of the HostGPO team, analyzed real guest feedback (both good and bad), and conducted our own personal sleep trials. This guide tells you everything you need to know so you can choose the perfect sleeper sofa for your property. Our favorite? The Axis 2-Seat Queen Sleeper Sofa by Crate & Barrel.
The Axis 3-Seat Queen Sleeper Sofa has been Crate & Barrel’s most popular sleeper for over a decade, and now it's our favorite, too. Design-wise, it’s simple and clean with square arms, nothing flashy, but it blends well with different styles, is durable, and very customizable.
The frame is kiln-dried hardwood so that it won’t warp over time, and the cushions are soy-based polyfoam wrapped in a fiber-down blend, which means they’re comfy without being too squishy. Plus, it’s made with FSC®-certified materials, so it’s eco-friendly.
It comes in three sizes (Twin, Full, and Queen) and has two mattress options, so you can choose what works best for your space. Plus, with 225+ fabric options and six-leg finishes, you can tweak the look to fit almost any décor.
The Belgian Classic Slope Arm Premium Sleeper Sofa by Restoration Hardware is in a league of its own, making it our luxury property choice.
Its European-inspired slope arm design, paired with its long bench seat, works well with classic and contemporary design styles, as well as formal and relaxed interiors. There are also plenty of fabric options (178, to be exact).
But looks aren’t everything; it’s what’s underneath that really matters. Their patented Tiffany 24/7™ Platform Sleep System eliminates the traditional squeaky bars and springs, replacing them with a sturdy steel frame and individually suspended slats for even support. It holds an 80-inch-long, 5½-inch-thick mattress (an inch thicker than a regular sleeper sofa!) that ensures guests wake up well-rested. It also has a lifetime guarantee, making it a great investment for luxury properties.
The Sven Sofa Bed by Article is mid-century modern at a great price point.
This sofa feels and looks classic, with a tufted bench seat, square arms, and pretty standard color options. It’s built with a solid and composite wood frame, and transforming it into a bed is easy: Guests just have to pull the handles behind the seat cushion to unfold the sleeping surface. The sofa folds out onto the floor, so we recommend opting for a darker color. To soften the bed a bit, consider adding a foam topper.
Increasing occupancy in your vacation rental is a smart move, but skimping on the quality of the sleeper sofa can be a costly mistake. A cheap sleeper sofa with an uncomfortable mattress or flimsy frame can lead to restless nights and frustrated guests. Plus, budget options often use low-quality materials that can't withstand frequent use.
By investing more in a sleeper sofa upfront, you'll avoid the hassle and expense of frequent replacements and poor reviews. Your sleeper sofa is an investment in guest satisfaction. A comfortable night's sleep leads to positive reviews and repeat bookings, increasing your income.
If you’re trying to increase your occupancy but only have a little room to work with, say hello to the Movie 56" Sleeper Sofa by CB2.
This sleeper has a 5.25-inch hybrid mattress, which is thicker than a standard sleeper sofa mattress. Plus, it’s a hybrid, so the coils will help the mattress maintain its shape over time, but the foam will keep your guests comfortable. Just note that these are made-to-order, so lead times can be longer.
A side sleeper is another great option if you have limited floor space, and the Sona by Article is one of the more affordable options out there.
This one folds into a full-size mattress, with guests sleeping perpendicular to the couch, holding a smaller footprint. Its upholstery is a high-resiliency polyester weave that is stain-resistant and easy to clean, and the solid steel frame provides durability and stability. Everything about it tells us that it is great for handling frequent use (and the occasional rowdy guest).
If you’re already shopping for a sectional for your property, you should probably consider getting one that is a sleeper sofa, as it’s an easy way for you to boost your occupancy.
The Barrett II 3-Seat Queen Reversible Sleeper Sectional is our favorite option because it has plenty of storage for bedding and a reversible chaise, so you can adapt it to any room layout. It holds a queen-sized mattress made of 5-inch gel-infused memory foam that regulates temperature to keep guests cool throughout the night. Plus, it has an allergy-free, odorless, and mildew-resistant core for hygienic sleep.
We chose the Maxwell Premium Sleeper Sofa-Chaise Sectional as our recommendation for this category for three main reasons: it has a king-size bed, a durable design, and a lifetime warranty.
This sectional is handcrafted in North Carolina with a sustainably sourced solid wood frame. It uses the same Tiffany 24/7™ Platform Sleep System that the Belgian Classic Slope Arm Premium Sofa has–no scary coils here. Plus, it has a 5-inch gel mattress, so your guests will stay cool and comfortable. What’s really unique about this sectional is that even with a king-size bed in there, it actually has a smaller footprint than other sectional options.
We try to stay diverse in what we recommend, but through all our research, it became clear that the Barrett II line from Crate & Barrel was unmatched in the leather sleeper sofa category.
Leather is an excellent choice for vacation properties. It resists scratches and spills, stays breathable in various climates, and is one of the most hygienic upholstery options because nothing can get trapped. We recommend shopping for top-grain, aniline-dyed leather because it is not only durable and breathable, but it ages beautifully, developing a soft texture and rich patina over time.
Now, why is this one great? Its frame is made of kiln-dried pine and engineered wood, so it's strong. Underneath, there is a gel-infused 5” mattress that will keep guests cool. It also has an anti-tip safety feature, a tilt-up headrest, and fiber-backed cushions.
The Hampshire Daybed is as practical as it is charming. Its sleek spindle detailing complements a wide range of decor styles, and we can easily see this working in a casita, office, and other small spaces. Its frame is made of solid poplar wood, and its GREENGUARD Gold Certification means it is made of healthier materials for a healthier indoor environment.
It’s simple–futons use the same cushion for sitting and sleeping that unfolds, which is ideal for space-saving in smaller areas. Sofa beds have a hidden mattress that unfolds, offering a dedicated sleep surface and potentially accommodating more guests. Futons tend to have a casual look, while sofa beds resemble traditional sofas for a more formal feel.
Consider your space, guest capacity, and desired aesthetic to make the best choice for your vacation rental.
Real hosting experience: Our team consists of hosts with diverse backgrounds and experiences in hosting vacation rental properties. This means we have firsthand knowledge of different types of properties, guest preferences, and the specific needs that arise in various situations. Whether it's a beachfront condo, a cozy cabin in the mountains, or a luxurious urban apartment, our team members have likely encountered similar scenarios and can offer tailored advice based on our experiences.
Guest insights: As hosts ourselves, we know that the real final say comes from guests. Our recommendations are informed not only by our experience managing properties, but also by feedback from real guests who have stayed in our units.
Objective recommendations: While each team member may have their own preferences, our recommendations are based on a collective assessment of various factors, including quality, affordability, and suitability for different types of vacation rentals. We strive to provide objective guidance that aligns with the needs and preferences of a broad range of hosts and their guests.
Continuous learning and improvement: Our team is committed to staying updated on the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the vacation rental industry. We actively seek out new information, test different products, and adapt our recommendations accordingly. This dedication to ongoing learning ensures that our advice remains relevant and valuable to hosts, regardless of their level of experience.
Community insights: HostGPO fosters a sense of community, where members can share their experiences, ask for advice, and learn from one another. We (and in turn, you) benefit from a wealth of collective insights and knowledge.
A sleeper sofa is an easy way to increase occupancy and boost your nightly rate. However, the wrong sleeper sofa can lead to poor quality sleep, bad reviews, and maintenance headaches.
Let’s be honest: most sleeper sofas are a nightmare. They have thin mattresses, painful metal bars, and awkward pull-out mechanisms. That’s because they are meant for once-a-year use when your in-laws come to visit - not daily vacation rental use.
But it doesn't have to be that way for your vacation property. To help you find the best sleeper sofa for your property, we’ve tapped into the extensive hosting expertise of the HostGPO team, analyzed real guest feedback (both good and bad), and conducted our own personal sleep trials. This guide tells you everything you need to know so you can choose the perfect sleeper sofa for your property. Our favorite? The Axis 2-Seat Queen Sleeper Sofa by Crate & Barrel.