What I learned after much experimentation is that no mattress by itself is perfect for me. What has worked best is using layers. The first layer above the boxsprings is the firmest non-pillowtop/non-plushtop I could find, then a layer of memory foam, then a down alternative featherbed, then a 100% cotton quilted mattress pad and lastly, a fitted sheet. The mattress can be turned and flipped to prolong its life and the other layers can be replaced for a relatively small amount on an as needed basis. Also the fiberfill featherbed and mattress pad can be washed.

I recently stayed at the Sherry Netherland in NYC. Their mattresses were the best. I got the name from them but at the moment I'm having a senior moment. You can call them. When I asked for the manufacturer's name, I was told people want to take our beds home with them. I have it written down somewhere. I'll let you know, although, I have no idea how expensive they are.

A number of hotels have mattresses you can order. Caution- we learned from our own experience and that of friends that the hotels have different specifications than for the one you can buy and they are not the same. If our "hotel" mattress was used in the same hotel chain they would be replacing every mattress in their hotels once a year or sooner. I've heard the same thing from friends about other hotel and cruise line mattresses.

Here is a really recent thread with some great advice/suggestions

Here is a link that might be useful: recent mattress thread

Thanks, Patty. Good to know.
Will check into that.
However, the Sherry is a pretty high-end hotel/co-op, rather small, and I would think they'd be up front about it. I'm certainly going to inquire because I was seriously thinking about purchasing one.

Interesting about the Sherry hotel...I will look into that. The one we recently purchased is only 3 months old and has diveted quite badly already. Fortunately the store we purchased from has a warranty. It was almost 2K...at is about our limit cost-wise.
That said, I wouldn't recommend a king koil mattress;)

Wow...fun2behere...what a set-up it sounds like you have! Gosh, a bedroom ensemble is just so costly when you really get down to it!

I will check out that recent thread...thank you for the lnk!!

W-A-T-E-R-B-E-D! It's a no fail option!

I will never part with my TemperPedic mattress. Had suffered from backaches from the time I got up till I went to bed. After the first night on the TemperPedic I have not had a backache. That was over 5 years ago.

It's a lot of layers, but overall much, much cheaper than buying an upscale mattress, plus the parts that need to be replaced more often are relatively inexpensive.

Tempurpedic, we have the model with dual air channels so it doesn't get hot (we tried the classic first and found it too hot). We also moved up to a king size so we have more space and that helps keep us cooler - our 3 cats like to share our bed too and its amazing how much warmth a little creature can produce! On traditional mattresses I used to wake up in pain - my hips were always bad, and often I'd have an arm asleep or something in the middle of the night. With this mattress I am comfortable the instant I get in bed and I wake up feeling good.

I also love the fact that it doesn't transmit any movement, if DH fidgets or tosses and turns it doesn't bounce on my side.

There is nothing to break down or sag - I have heard so many people unhappy with their pillow top after less than a year they get body impressions and feel like they are sleeping in a rut. So if you go traditional, it's better to get a separate mattress and topper so you can replace the topper more often.

My favorite, after trying many, Simmons Beautyrest Black. It's their upper line and the most comfortable I've slept in (coming from someone with hip and back problems).

My experience matches tinan's friends--my pillowtop has ruts--and has had indentations for several years--and it's only about 7 years old. Because it's a pillowtop, we can't flip it the way you normally flip a mattress. I'd never buy one again, although I'd consider a separate pillowtop.

Latex Bliss! We also bought the topper and I would not trade it for anything. I don't want to get out of bed in the morning. Even if you do not buy the mattress, consider the latex topper it is wonderful.

http://www.latexbliss.com/

We bought a Select Comfort air bed (the sleep number bed) 5 years ago and we LOVE LOVE LOVE it. One thing I love is that I never worry about the center divot that innerspring mattresses seem to always get - we just pump it back up and no more sag! Plus the 20 year warranty means that if something breaks customer service takes care of it. We did have a problem with a pump after the 2nd year, but we got a brand new one with no charge and no problems since. I love that I can have my side set slightly softer than DH's. I have absolutely no complaints. Well except that we bought it when we were newlyweds and now that we have a 3year old and a baby I often think we should have gotten a KING! :-)

Anyone have the soft sided waterbed? If so what do you think of it?

All of the beds in my house are soft sided water beds. I wouldn't have anything else. My own bed is 25 years old and since water doesn't wear out, it has felt exactly the same for the entire 25 years.