You would think that in today's economic climate the market for high end consumer goods would be in decline. While that may be the case in many traditional markets, suppliers of items to the super rich seem to come up with ever more outrageous ideas to tempt their customers to part with their dollars, euros or yen.
While this sector of the market might only account for a very small fraction of overall bed sales, an increasing number of very wealthy individuals seem more than happy to pay more than $25,000 to make sure they get the best nights sleep they possibly can. And it seems the trend is not only for the wealthy, in fact, over 20% of the mattresses sold in the United States now cost upwards of $1,000 each!
When only the best will do
The major players in the ultra-luxury mattress market are all European companies, and all have exquisite royal pedigrees. Hypnos is a British company that have been making beds for over 100 years and make the mattresses that the Queen of England sleeps on. Similarly Hastens are a Swedish company that dates back to 1852 and have been supplying beds and mattresses to the Swedish royal family for almost 60 years. Another British company, called VI-Spring, won't disclose any its wealthy customers, but its website claims that its beds are to be found in many of the world's leading hotels. VI-Spring also supplied beds for the luxury liner Queen Mary II, as it also did for the ill-fated Titanic.
What all these beds and mattresses have in common is quality. They are all hand crafted, using the finest natural materials known to man. It's not unusual for a mattress to be made from cashmere, silk, lambs' wool, and the finest latex money can buy.
The new kid on the block
In 2008 Italian mattress designers Magniflex introduced their Platinum Bed which came with the astronomical price tag of $75,000 (platinum pillows were an added extra!) which instantly became the world's most expensive bed. As with the other European manufacturers, their platinum range is made using only natural materials, but they included the precious metal as well. Each bed is custom made to suit the individual customer and production is set to end after just 10 of the beds have been sold. The company claim that health benefits related to using platinum fiber in its beds are huge, but I guess the majority of us will never live to tell if that is right or not.
While this sector of the market might only account for a very small fraction of overall bed sales, an increasing number of very wealthy individuals seem more than happy to pay more than $25,000 to make sure they get the best nights sleep they possibly can. And it seems the trend is not only for the wealthy, in fact, over 20% of the mattresses sold in the United States now cost upwards of $1,000 each!
When only the best will do
The major players in the ultra-luxury mattress market are all European companies, and all have exquisite royal pedigrees. Hypnos is a British company that have been making beds for over 100 years and make the mattresses that the Queen of England sleeps on. Similarly Hastens are a Swedish company that dates back to 1852 and have been supplying beds and mattresses to the Swedish royal family for almost 60 years. Another British company, called VI-Spring, won't disclose any its wealthy customers, but its website claims that its beds are to be found in many of the world's leading hotels. VI-Spring also supplied beds for the luxury liner Queen Mary II, as it also did for the ill-fated Titanic.
What all these beds and mattresses have in common is quality. They are all hand crafted, using the finest natural materials known to man. It's not unusual for a mattress to be made from cashmere, silk, lambs' wool, and the finest latex money can buy.
The new kid on the block
In 2008 Italian mattress designers Magniflex introduced their Platinum Bed which came with the astronomical price tag of $75,000 (platinum pillows were an added extra!) which instantly became the world's most expensive bed. As with the other European manufacturers, their platinum range is made using only natural materials, but they included the precious metal as well. Each bed is custom made to suit the individual customer and production is set to end after just 10 of the beds have been sold. The company claim that health benefits related to using platinum fiber in its beds are huge, but I guess the majority of us will never live to tell if that is right or not.
As great as it might be to be able to afford one of these mattresses, the vast majority of us will never be able to afford one - so if you are looking for a cheap mattress alternative, take a look at the authors website. You will tons of mattress resources, even a latex Vs memory foam mattress/ comparison for those that are in the process of buying right now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ray_E_Baker
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