Grumpy Traveller Pillow talk

I&rsquom all for luxury when it comes to where I lay my head abroad &mdash and I&rsquom a great believer too in the luxury of choice, for a lack of options is the worst, most invidious deprivation. However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

Nowhere is this more evident than in breakfast buffets and pillow menus. I submit that first thing in the ack emma and last thing at night is the worst time to plague a patron with multiple-choice questions. Worst, it is often a non-choice or one so abstruse as to be largely academic.

Take W&rsquos idea of a &lsquoprivilege&rsquo for patrons &mdash making them choose not just between firm foam and 100% goose down, but also neck rolls and body pillows. The excess of choice at the Benjamin New York includes buckwheat vs &lsquocloud&rsquo, maternity or lullaby, upper body or five-foot body, snore-no-more or magnetic therapy&hellip for sleep&rsquos sake The Conrad has a legendary 75-strong list, including an essential oils-infused Cold and Flu Pillow in Chicago a thermal Water Pillow in Miami a Shogun Pillow in Bangkok and a Porcelain Pillow in Singapore. I&rsquove seen shorter spa menus

On one recent trip, housekeeping checked whether I had slept well &mdash and would I like to double up on my preferred pillow tonight, or be offered a choice once more Some brands apparently have gendered pillows, for &lsquoladies&rsquo and &lsquomen&rsquo, not to mention the ubiquitous hypoallergenic and organic. Did you know an anti-ageing pillow existed And who chooses horsehair head support

Why not just lay seven pillows per bed for sleepers to play Goldilocks&rsquo game with Because I assure you, enumerating pillow variants is nowhere near as relaxing as counting sheep. In fact, call me neurotic, but I find it a surefire way to spend the night on a sleepless pillow, second-guessing my &lsquochoice&rsquo.