· I cannot recommend the beds in Etap Hotels too highly - wonderfully firm and comfortable! The only problem is that Wendy may expect to pay more than Etap charge.
Julian Macro

· You can never be sure of finding a comfortable bed when travelling. What you can do if travelling by car is always carry an air mattress and pump. Lightly blown up and placed on top of the bed's mattress it provides a comfortable and, eventually, familiar surface on which to sleep. It feels a little like a water mattress and moulds to your body. Campinggaz make a single which is wider than most air mattresses. I have used this trick for years and always get a good night's sleep despite a dodgy back and suspect beds.
Gil Bomber

· In Ireland, on an appallingly hard bed this Spring, I actually bought two fleece blankets (v. cheaply), folded them under the bottom sheet to make eight thicknesses, and they made it bearable. Luckily I had room to bring them home. Also, for years, I have packed my Dunlopillo pillow into my suitcase. I have found pillows, especially in Europe, to be more of a problem than the beds. Less room for clothes, but a guarantee of comfort. (I believe they make a travel-pillow, but I take my one from home!) I have also used my blow-up neck pillow (softly inflated) under a hard pillow, which helped.

Hazel