I honestly didn't have any complaints about the bed, though I do prefer a firmer mattress. We have a firm tempurpedic mattress at home, so I was glad the bed didn't feel like a softy marshmallow! Our bed must've been one of the new ones because I'm pretty sure it was a pillowtop. We had a king and it was always decorated with tons of pillows. Some of them were hard and just for decoration, but there were some softer fluffier ones hiding on the top shelf of the closet. During our trip, we did see some guy passed out on one of the poolside beds, which were NOT comfortable at all, so I can only imagine how he felt when he woke up! Ouch!
I hear you on this. I actually wouldn't bother with the pillow except that we have a red-eye home and I will want it for the plane anyway.