Best option for temporary overnight guests?

[me2bfree]

Hi Mustachers, I am having some guests overnight in January. We don't have a guest bedroom or a spare bed. Is it possible to rent a bed? How would you solve this situation? I am considering a nice air mattress, but they can be cold. I am considering renting a bed, but I have a funny crawly feeling that that's a good way to get bedbugs.

I am hoping to hear a lot of good ideas from you fine people! Thanks a lot.

[Gimesalot]

When I had this issue, I couldn't find any place that would let me rent a bed short term.  The only thing I found were minimum monthly rentals.  I suggest that you see what you can find on craigslist and once you are done using it, you can sell it again.

[me2bfree]

Thanks for the idea, Gimesalot! I will look on the Craig's tonight.

[Rufus.T.Firefly]

These things are pretty nice: https://www.amazon.com/SimplySleeper-SS-58RF-Automatic-Resistant-SimplyGlobo/dp/B01834DYMK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478132608&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=air+mattress+built+in+pump&psc=1

We put a mattress pad on top of it to make it even more bed-like. Guests seem to like it and my wife and I even have slept on it a couple times when needed. I found it comfortable. It's held up well over time.

[CYANiDE]

These things are pretty nice: https://www.amazon.com/SimplySleeper-SS-58RF-Automatic-Resistant-SimplyGlobo/dp/B01834DYMK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478132608&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=air+mattress+built+in+pump&psc=1

We put a mattress pad on top of it to make it even more bed-like. Guests seem to like it and my wife and I even have slept on it a couple times when needed. I found it comfortable. It's held up well over time.

Perfect suggestion. One of those two-level mattresses makes guests feel better since they aren't so close to the ground. I would NOT recommend a CL purchase of a mattress - a bed bug infestation will cost you a lot more than a $100 air mattress that you can keep for a long time.

[anotherAlias]

My parents use an air mattress and put a wool blanket under the fitted sheet to make it warmer.  Seems to work well.

[MrsDinero]

I always kept a good quality air mattress around.  They pack up small, so they don't take a lot of space, but can be set up quickly for guests.

[El Marinero]

My parents use an air mattress and put a wool blanket under the fitted sheet to make it warmer.  Seems to work well.

Good advice.  I use a fleece blanket under a fitted mattress pad.  As the OP notes, airibeds can be cold.  But that can be fixed.

[mm1970]

We have something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Master-Traveler-Elite-Folding/dp/B008BWESBQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1478306197&sr=8-3&keywords=cot+with+mattress

[MsPeacock]

Can you borrow an air mattress from a friend or neighbor? I would agree that purchasing a used mattress is not a good idea - I have fear of bedbugs. Otherwise I think Costco has the aero bed sorts of things for reasonable cost.

[Financial Ascensionist]

I have been sleeping on an air mattress full time for the past 2 months and I have no complaints, especially with regards to feeling cold.  Air is a terrible heat conductor and big contained air pocket is probably one of the best insulation you can get.  For couples, you want to inflate the thing really hard because the bouncing can be quite distracting when the heaviest person is moving around otherwise.  This is a very viable solution and it's really easy to pack after you are done.  Go for it!

[lizzzi]

These things are pretty nice: https://www.amazon.com/SimplySleeper-SS-58RF-Automatic-Resistant-SimplyGlobo/dp/B01834DYMK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478132608&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=air+mattress+built+in+pump&psc=1

We put a mattress pad on top of it to make it even more bed-like. Guests seem to like it and my wife and I even have slept on it a couple times when needed. I found it comfortable. It's held up well over time.

Perfect suggestion. One of those two-level mattresses makes guests feel better since they aren't so close to the ground. I would NOT recommend a CL purchase of a mattress - a bed bug infestation will cost you a lot more than a $100 air mattress that you can keep for a long time.

+1    When I needed to "camp out" for two nights in a new apartment without furniture earlier this week, I took a similar air mattress with me and slept very comfortably. After my "real" bed arrives next week, I will  have no hesitation using the air mattress for guests.