After a (kind of) patient two-month wait, I received a Simba Ludlow Ottoman storage bed and Hybrid Essential mattress towards the end of last week. These were kindly gifted by Simba for my honest review.

So, was this bed worth the wait? And are Simba mattresses really worth the hype?

Read on to find out in my honest review covering comfort, storage, assembly, sleep quality, value for money, pros, cons, and more!

Simba Review: Introduction

You’ve probably heard of Simba by now—they’re a popular British sleep brand, mainly know for their mattresses for sale with a 200-night sleep trial. If you don’t like your bed or mattress during that time, Simba will collect it for free and refund you. That’s exactly how I first heard of Simba—through their TV adverts promoting this incredible long trial.

Our previous bed frame and mattress were only three and a half years old, but already needed replacing. Our last bed was expensive, made from mango wood, but sadly came with a woodworm infestation in the headboard. Although we fixed it, it was always at the back of our minds, making peaceful sleep tricky!

On top of that, we’d skimped on our mattress after spending so much on the frame—definitely not the wisest choice, as it started feeling worn out after just a couple of years. Mattresses really should last much longer, which is why Simba confidently offers a generous 10-year guarantee on their products.

Another big issue was storage. Our previous bed was raised, allowing plastic storage tubs underneath—but honestly, it always looked messy and gathered loads of dust.

I'd been eyeing Simba’s ottoman beds for a while; I'd even ordered their free fabric swatches a few months ago to colour-match one to our decor, just in case we decided to buy one ourselves. Thankfully, this meant I knew exactly which colour to choose when Simba offered the review opportunity—perfect timing!

Oh, and I almost forgot—the old bed was a weird European size! Despite ordering from a UK website, it was 10cm wider than a UK king-size, creating endless headaches when buying bedding. Having a normal UK king-size bed at last is a massive relief.

So that’s the background of what we were sleeping on, exactly why we were so ready to upgrade, and how we will be able to tell if our new Simba Bed's more comfortable. After several nights of trying the Simba bed and mattress, here's how we’re getting on so far…

First Impressions: Simba Delivery and Assembly

The bed took two months as it was made to order—understandable given Simba’s customisation options. You can choose from various styles, colours, storage types, and fabrics, meaning every bed is made custom to your choices.

Simba offers free delivery, with paid options for specific four-hour timeslots or weekend delivery. You can even pay extra for them to recycle your old mattress or build your new bed. Delivery was smooth—we got a one-week notice, a four-hour window the night before, and a courtesy call 30 minutes beforehand. Far better than waiting around all day wondering when they'll turn up!

We weren't quite ready to assemble the bed immediately, so we had the couriers leave it downstairs temporarily. When assembly day arrived, it honestly couldn't have been easier. At first, I panicked slightly as we received instructions for the 'Electric Ottoman', mentioning motors! But once we skipped past those motorised parts, everything else matched perfectly.

The bed came in just three main parts—two base halves and a headboard. We added the feet, clipped the bases together with large metal U-shaped clips, the lid together with a bolt, attached the headboard with bolts, and fixed the hydraulic lifts in place. The whole process was really straightforward—much simpler than expected.

Initially, we worried the storage lid wouldn't stay closed, but quickly realised the mattress weight holds it down.

Speaking of the mattress—it arrived in a large box in which it was vacuum-packed in a roll. Simba recommends leaving it to expand for six hours initially and fully settle over 72 hours. At first, ours looked a little strange, overhanging the base quite a bit, but it soon expanded properly.

Once ready, we quickly made the bed with fresh bedding and eagerly tried it out. Instantly, it was clear just how much more comfortable this mattress felt compared to our old one and I'll share more details soon about how we slept on the Simba mattress!

Storage Space: Simba Ludlow Ottoman Bed Review

The ottoman storage is brilliant. I love that we can now store things neatly under the bed, dust-free and hidden. It's perfect for bulky seasonal items, shoes, coats—anything needing tidy storage. As someone who loves organising, having practical hidden storage is exciting for me! Sad, but true!

We chose the ottoman that lifts from the end, ensuring easy access no matter our room layout—unlike our daughter's side-drawer storage bed, where one side became inaccessible when pushed against a wall! Definitely a factor to consider when buying storage beds. Lesson learned!

The hydraulic mechanism is smooth, easy to use, and doesn’t disturb the bedding—a huge improvement over lying on the floor and reaching for dusty boxes! I love how practical and neat it is.

Style & Design: Matching Our Bedroom Decor

The bed itself looks fantastic. Having ordered fabric swatches beforehand, I matched our new Ludlow bed’s colour to our bedroom decor. The colour perfectly matches our peacock-green blind, plants, and decor in our ensuite. 

Though I've traditionally preferred wooden beds, the upholstered Ludlow bed, with its large, comfortable headboard, quickly won me over—ideal for reading, working, or watching TV in bed.

The bed and mattress combination are taller than our previous bed, which somehow makes our bedroom feel more luxurious—almost like staying in a hotel. Maybe when we stay in hotels the beds are taller?!  We have some luxury wallpaper to hang too on the opposite wall to the bed, so once that’s up, I’ll truly feel like I'm staying in a fancy boutique hotel every night!

Comfort and Sleep Quality: Simba Hybrid Essential Mattress Review

But the real question is, how did we sleep? So far, amazingly! The mattress feels supportive yet incredibly comfortable. From the very first night, I've fallen asleep quickly and deeply, feeling as though I haven't moved at all until waking. That's how you know you've had a good night's sleep—when you don't remember tossing and turning trying to find the perfect position. 

I've been waking up feeling refreshed, something I haven't experienced in ages. I haven't even noticed my husband moving around much either, which is a fantastic bonus—perhaps he's been sleeping just as deeply as me, undisturbed and completely comfortable. It genuinely feels like we're both sleeping better than we have in years.

It’s only been a few nights, but I can already feel significant improvements. Waking up feeling truly rested has made mornings much easier. Our old mattress had become uncomfortable after only a couple of years, so the change has quickly been noticeable.

It’s reassuring that everything feels sturdy and built to last—exactly what you'd expect given Simba’s 10-year guarantee. It feels like an investment in long-term comfort, something we've sadly never felt with cheaper mattresses.

Pricing and Value for Money

Speaking of price, Simba beds and mattresses aren't cheap budget options—but that's actually a good thing.

At around £1800 for the bed frame and mattress combination we chose, Simba products are mid-range—not budget—but they're well worth the investment. Our previous cheap mattresses never lasted more than a few years, causing repeated expenses.  Those 'budget' choices ended up costing us far more in the long run.

Investing in a mattress that feels durable enough to comfortably last a decade makes sense. This level of comfort and quality justifies the cost, especially as we approach an age where quality sleep and back support are increasingly essential.

Going forward, we'll definitely prioritise investing more in a mattress. The noticeable difference between this and previous budget mattresses makes it clear that paying extra for quality sleep and support is worth it.

Pros and Cons of Simba Ludlow Ottoman Bed & Hybrid Essential Mattress

Pros:

• Highly customisable, stylish design
• Easy to assemble hydraulic ottoman
• Practical, dust-free hidden storage
• Extremely comfortable, supportive mattress
• Noticeable improvement in sleep quality
• Excellent 10-year guarantee and 200-night trial

Cons:

• Premium pricing—not suitable if you're on a tight budget
• Delivery wait (due to custom production) can be lengthy

Final Word: Is Simba Worth the Investment?

In my honest opinion—yes, Simba is definitely worth the investment. While the initial cost might feel steep, the comfort, improved sleep quality, practicality of storage, and the long-term durability more than justify it.

If you're tired of frequently replacing cheap mattresses and want something comfortable, supportive, and built to last, Simba is worth serious consideration. For us, the difference has been clear—fantastic sleep, stylish aesthetics, and practical storage all rolled into one. This bed is here to stay, and our backs, bedroom, and future selves are already grateful for it!

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Simba Discount Codes, Mattress Offers & Free Pillow Deals

Looking to save money on your Simba bed or mattress order? At the time of writing, there are a few great Simba deals available, including cashback, free pillows, and exclusive discounts for young people, key workers, and charity staff.

Here are the latest offers:

• 3.3% cashback via TopCashback – Visit the Simba page on TopCashback to earn money back on your purchase:
  👉 TopCashback Simba page

• Get 2 free Pure Pillows worth £120 when you buy your first Simba mattress – Simba gave me this special offer to share with friends. I’ll also receive a reward if you use the link, so it’s a win-win:
  👉 Claim 2 free pillows with your Simba mattress

• 20% off for young people, key workers and charity workers – Find out if you qualify on the official Simba discounts page:
  👉 Simba Discounts

All offers are correct at the time of writing, but they are subject to change. Most deals cannot be combined.