If you share your bed with a dog, you both want to be comfy, and to have a mattress that doesn’t move when they fidget and move around.
Patch loves snuggling up with me so when the bed company, Simba, invited me to try their Original Hybrid mattress, I couldn’t wait to give it a go.
I’d just moved and bought mattresses for at home but I also run a dog-friendly holiday cottage – Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay.
Patch, and all the doggy guests are allowed to sleep on and in the beds there too – it’s a home from home – not one of those places with a list of shouty rules.
That means anything I put in the cottage needs to be comfortable, practical and able to cope with lots of different kinds of dogs.
From soggy Spaniels, graceful Greyhounds, shivering Whippets and all kinds of adorable Poodle mixes, it is a joy to see dogs feeling at home at Sunnyside.
So I’m really pleased to have new Simba Hybrid mattress in the twin room at the cottage, and Patch was first to grace them with his paws.
In this post I explain how the Simba Hybrid mattress works, what makes it different from traditional foam or spring mattresses, and why I think it works well in a dog-friendly home or holiday property.
I’ll also share who the mattress is ideal for, who might prefer something firmer, and what it’s like sleeping on it after a long day walking along the Yorkshire coast.
What is the Simba Hybrid mattress?
The Simba Hybrid mattress combines foam and springs to give you comfort and support at the same time.
Foam mattresses have that cosy, cradled feeling when you lie down, but they can sometimes feel a bit warm or lack support.
Traditional spring mattresses often feel cooler and supportive but can be quite firm.
Hybrid mattresses aim to combine the best bits of both.
The Simba Hybrid has layers of foam alongside tiny Aerocoil® microsprings near the top of the mattress.
These help with airflow and support, so you get that comfortable ‘sinking in’ feeling while still having proper structure underneath.
The mattress is designed to feel medium-firm overall, with cushioning in the top layers and firmer support underneath.
The first night, I was aching all over as I’d had a really busy day carrying things up and down the really steep hill, and it was like sleeping on a cloud.
Why it’s suitable for dog owners whose dogs sleep on the bed
We’re in 2026 and I find most dogs I know sleep on the bed at home will try to do the same on holiday.
As a brand, Simba acknowledge this and even have a helpful article on their websites about dogs on beds, Can my dog sleep in my bed.
At Sunnyside Cottage, dogs are genuinely welcome throughout the property, and that includes the bedrooms.
They don’t have to stay on a cold kitchen floor or be shut out of the room and instead can curl up with their humans just like they would at home.
Because of that, practical features are important. Everything in the cottage needs to be durable and easy to clean.
One of the things I really like about the Simba mattress is the zip-off cover, which can be removed and machine washed.
When you’ve got dogs who have spent the day on the beach or walking on the coastal paths, being able to freshen up bedding easily is a must.
Another feature that is really useful when you share your bed with a dog is the Aerocoil® microsprings.
These help reduce motion transfer, which means if you or your dog move around during the night, you’re less likely to feel it.
So if your dog decides to have a fidget at 3am, you won’t feel it and might sleep through the night!
Why I chose it for Sunnyside Cottage
When people come to stay at Sunnyside Cottage in Robin Hood’s Bay, they’ve booked because they love getting outdoors with their dogs.
There are coastal walks, the Cinder Track which is a lovely flat former railway line, we’re a minute walk to the beach, and there are so many dog-friendly places in the village.
By the end of the day both dogs and humans are shattered and possibly a bit achy from walking up the hill – the gradient is 33 per cent in the steepest sections.
So having a comfortable mattress means you can sleep soundly and the Simba Hybrid really does enable this.
It’s also packaged in a box and vacuum packed, meaning I can get it up the very narrow stairs, so if you have a traditional cottage, you’ll know what a relief this is!
Testing the Simba Hybrid at Sunnyside Cottage with Patch
The first thing I noticed was how soft and comfortable it felt. The mattress I have at home is quite a bit firmer, so I noticed the difference sleeping on this one.
I’m often aching all over when I stay at the cottage from doing DIY and getting the welcome packs ready – this means carrying heavy bags up and down a hill.
When you’re shattered and you’ve been working your legs, and everywhere else, sinking into a soft bed is just lovely!
Patch seemed very happy too. When we’re away, there are badgers that roam around at night and he’s a Terrier, so when he senses them, he’s wide awake!
This means he wakes me up too, and we often end up going out to investigate – I never know if it’s the badgers or he needs the loo.
But on the nights we stayed at the cottage with the new mattress, he settled down quickly and slept right through.
And this is a win!
Simba Hybrid mattress features that work for dog-friendly cottages
There are a few things about the Simba Hybrid mattress that work well in a dog-friendly property.
Washable cover
The removable zip-off cover can be machine washed, and when you’ve a cottage that’s busy and dogs roaming freely, this is really helpful.
Breathable materials
The mattress has a breathable cover and graphite-infused foam which helps it stay cool, which is ideal for all year round – we have Winter and Summer duvets.
Aerocoil® microsprings
These tiny springs help reduce movement across the bed, which is handy if a dog jumps on the bed while you’re asleep or fidgets during the night.
Zoned support base
The mattress has a nine-zoned foam base designed to support different parts of your body, including hips and shoulders – this is good if you’re a side sleeper like me.
All these things mean the mattress feels comfortable while giving you the support you need.
Who the Simba Hybrid mattress is ideal for
These are the people who will love this mattress:
- Dog owners whose dogs like sleeping on the bed
- People who prefer a softer, cushioned mattress
- Holiday cottage owners looking for something comfortable but practical
- Couples who don’t want to feel every movement during the night
- Anyone who spends their days walking and wants a cosy bed to return to
- People who sleep on thier side
If you like that ‘I’m lay on a cloud’ feeling when you lie down, this mattress is for you.
The Simba Hybrid might not be ideal for
If you love a very firm mattress, the Simba Hybrid might feel softer than what you’re used to.
As someone who usually has a more firm mattress, I loved is, and I think it’s really suited to active dog owners on their holidays.
When you’ve spent hours exploring beaches, coastal paths and beautiful villages, you want that comfort at the end of the day when you’re ready to rest.
About Sunnyside Cottage
Sunnyside Cottage is my dog-friendly holiday cottage in the gorgeous seaside village of Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.
I took over the property in 2023 and wanted to make it everything I needed when I took my dog Patch away.
I have tried to think of everything, from dog welcome packs, Dogrobes to dry off, comfy dog beds and a borrow box for the things you may have forgotten.
The key thing is that there are no rules, so your dog isn’t going to feel unsettled by being told they can’t do the things they do at home, like go on the sofa or the bed.
Robin Hood’s Bay is such a lovely place, and dogs just love it there, with loads of dog friendly places to visit, walks and views.
The thing that really matters to me is that humans and dogs feel relaxed and comfortable, so I’m really chuffed to have these lovely new mattresses.
How to find out more about the Simba Hybrid
You can find more details about the Simba Original Hybrid mattress here:
https://simbasleep.com/products/mattress
And if you’d like to find out more about staying at Sunnyside Cottage, head here: https://baytownholidaycottages.co.uk/our-cottages/property?s=sunnyside-cottage-robin-hoods-bay
Disclosure
Simba kindly gifted the Original Hybrid mattress for use at Sunnyside Cottage. All opinions and experiences shared in this post are my own.
Further reading
A dog owners guide to Robin Hood’s Bay and Sunnyside Cottage
Dog friendly things to do and places to stay in Robin Hood’s Bay
Is Robin Hood’s Bay suitable for anxious dogs?
The difference between dog-friendly, dog welcoming and dog red carpet