Hi Luna,

Welcome to Geneva! :-)

Pillows are a matter of taste (and anatomic needs). For example, I absolutely can't stand the type of pillow my parents and sister love. I love my down-filled pillow - soft and easy to crumple, but now with the tropical nights it's just too warm, so I use a bolster / neck cussion where my head doesn't sink in...

I saw that at Manor they have a "pillow department", and an assistant who explained advantages and disadvantages of the different types. Perhaps it would be best to go there (or to another shop) to get some information?

In any case: sleep well! :-)

Hi stephanie,

Thank you so much for ur advice. i really appreciate that. Still i have another question about bed linens and duvets. i need a light coverture for the summer. but i dont know what do they call them here in Geneva. all i find here are duvets and actually i cant differentiate between those made for winter and those made for summer.

As for the bed linens: I find in departments something called: housse de couette, couvre lit, plaid de lit, boutis couvre lit. In fact, i don't know what is the difference between them all . I need to buy bed sheets that are used to cover mattresses not duvets? Sometimes I am not lucky enough to find someone in department stores who speaks english to explain the diffrenece to me. 

Thank you in advance and sorry for being long.

Hi Luna,

No problem, I know how it feels to be in a new country with "weird stuff".

I'm no expert in buying Swiss / French bedding etc. (brought my own to Geneva), but my French should be sufficient to sort this out. So if you want to, we could meet to do the "research" together?

In the coming week, I will only be in the Geneva from Monday to Wednesday, and could  meet late afternoon or during lunch break.

Manor might not be the cheapest (or rather least expensive) option, but it may be a good place to meet and to look at the options.

Just let me know if and when you would like to meet.

Hi Luna,

Concerning pillows: I am a big fan of memory foam, it is cozy and still supportive. If you are a side-sleeper like me, they have a very good pillow at IKEA (not in Vernier though, unfortunately) - but it is certainly a matter of taste and it takes a bit of time to get used to it.

Generally it is a good idea to go to a store where you can try the pillows. The same holds even more for mattresses. In a decent store they can also explain the advantages of the different types. I got my mattresses from Aldi, but in this case

a) you have to be extremely lucky that they are selling some right when you need them

b) you take the risk of not liking them, since you cannot try them in the store (sure you can return them, but it's a hassle)

About sheets and linen: They have some stuff at Aldi this coming Thursday: http://www.aldi-suisse.ch/ch/fr/html/offers/offres_08_08_2013_FRA_HTML.htm

Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with :-)

Hello Luna,

 Welcome to Geneva! Firstly, I can offer you some advice given I work in the area of mattresses/ beds. 

We don't sell pillows, but from my experience, I have a King Sized feather pillow from Harrods in the UK - it was quite expensive, BUT it is just amazing compared to other pillows. Its worth the extra cost, in my opinion. I am also sure you could buy similar pillows here in Siwtzerland, likely in the 100 - 200 chf range - best look out for the sales! 

Mattresses - there are several bed shops in Geneva covering all price ranges - a few discount places selling "budget" beds (Rue de Lausanne near Pickwicks springs to mind), or Ikea towards Vernier, or indeed a few "higher" price range sellers. 

The main things you should look for when choosing a bed (base+ mattress (and headboard)):

- What is your budget, and how long will you keep the bed? If only a few years, then you probably don't want to invest too much money.

- How big is your bedroom? Don't buy a bed that is too big! A Super King size will take up too much space in a "small" double room! You need space for other furniture too!

- Then, do you like the look of the bed, the materials inside it, the quality? Is it for just you, or a partner too? Does he or she toss and turn all night  

If you want to keep the bed for a long time, then I would recommend buying the best one you can afford. You want to wake up every morning feeling great, not rough and with a sore back! A bed is there to help you replenish your energies and be properly rested. 

Materials - if you can afford it, choose only natural materials in your mattress. The reason is simply that they "breathe" with your body so that you wont wake up in a pool of sweat, nor wake up too hot or cold. Additionally, a lot of natural materials in good quality mattresses these days - lambswool, horseshair, are there to give you real comfort. Horse's hair is the best - it also acts like a layer of mini springs under your body, but is also one of the most expensive layers.

Do you want a latex mattress, or pocket spring mattress? I prefer pocket spring mattresses (its my main business line), but I know lots of Europeans prefer latex mattresses. Latex can be very comfortable, but you do tend to sweat more with them. Pocket spring mattresses these days are like lying on clouds. The individual springs are so subtle that I love them. Also, you don't feel much movement from your partner though the night ;) 

Feel free to ask me any specific questions regarding beds/ mattresses.

Regards,

Chris 

Hi stephanie, Monika and Chris,

Thank you all for your advice and trying to help me. I am sorry about the very, very late reply but I have been away from the internet for quite a long time. we have gone through all the process of buying new matresses and pillows. It was quite difficult in the beginning but we were lucky at the very end to find suitable ones