Might be useful, depending on the length of a sit, if a bed is too soft or dips:
They sell foldable mattress boards on Amazon, for instance, which might be worth it if it helps you sleep. Otherwise, you can get plywood at some hardware chains and they’ll deliver.
I left a sit FIRST TIME EVER in 10+ years of sitting! No AC in the bedroom. Animals waking me up at 4am. Litter boxes a mess. After a week into a 3 week sit, THS not helpful and host was very glad to have someone for free. Host and I mutually agreed I could should leave and they arranged for family to take care of animals. House was dirty, no air to sleep at night except in the LR - I asked about AC didn’t ask if it was in the BR! I will from now on. Look carefully, ask questions or don’t apply.
I have had many uncomfortable “my room” situations in my 100+ sits via TH so I learned to clarify a bit as a shy person. But this year, I learned something new - when I arrived at the sit, I was shown to a small room that was not in the photos - the bed was a single with old coverings. Discovering the home was mosquito-infested in northern Europe, when 60sF outside in middle of the night was not bad enough - as someone who’s highly allergic to insect bites… I had a suspicion something else was biting me - when I looked at the mattress - looked like it was dragged from the dump - dirty and lumpy. Plus no blackout curtains… The photos on the listing showed a queen size bed - it was the owner’s bed - judging by other great reviews, sounds like they all stayed on the comfortable bed. The owner and I got along so great that it was hard to bring this issue up. So a lesson learned!
In a more recent sit, couldn’t sleep because the letterbox was at the foot of “my bed”. I’d scoop before laying down, but one of the cats would poo in the middle of the night within a couple of hours. This situation has never encountered before and I would think it’s a common sense to not place the letterbox by the bed. So another lesson learned after 8 years of doing this.
@Loplop I had a similar experience with the bed situation in a home where there were 3 guest rooms with double beds, and one with twin beds. The reviews, all from couples, praised the sleeping arrangements. I, as a solo sitter, was given the twin room with stained, lumpy mattresses which was over the room where the 4 dogs slept until they decided at 4am that the day should start. It was only for 3 nights, but if it had been longer I hope I’d have asked the HO for a different room.
@DianeS seems like they would give you a choice with that many beds!
That’s terrible. I’ve been fortunate as a solo sitter. Like I’ve even been offered the master bedroom over the guest room(s).
I’m currently in the master bedroom on a sit. And they cleared space for me in the walk-in closet. On my last sit, I was offered the master bedroom, as well as two ensuite guest rooms. And on the sit before that, the hosts insisted that I switch from the guest room to the master after we overlapped for one night. They said it was the nicest room and they wanted me to have the best view. They changed the sheets right before leaving.
If I’d been burned, I’d probably start asking where I’d be sleeping.
This particular experience was a one-off - everywhere else has been great, especially my most recent one where I had my own separate house with a choice of bedrooms and very comfortable, clean beds.
If hosts stuck me with terrible sleep arrangements despite having nice alternatives, I’d include that in my review to warn off others. Solo sitters shouldn’t be treated worse than others.
Oh don’t worry - I mentioned it all in the review. And still they ask me back - of course I say I’m not available.
Thankfully, the mattresses have been great at my sits so far. And, I am grateful for this post as it is having me pause to consider adding it to my list of interview inquiries.
One thing that is a challenge on all my sits is finding and creating an ergonomic way for me to work where my back is not in pain. It’s definitely a process of trial and error for me. In my experience I rarely find houses with ergonomic chairs… and usually I am able to find a way to stand and work at most homes.
@Stmarys And pillows!
There should be a mattress protector (mattress cover) between the padding and the bottom sheet. Without it, the bottom sheet sticks to the foam pad and it is very uncomfortable to sleep on.
Oh my. Wow and you stayed. Yes we have to find our nicest voice sometimes.