Every few years there seems to be a new trend regarding travel. Some examples include glamping in place of camping. Or sustainable travel, meaning supporting local businesses or even volunteering some time to help others. Another trend the travel industry is seeing is higher search rates for sleep information on Google. As a result, hotels and other places for lodging have come up with the idea of ‘sleep tourism.’
Google released some statistics showing this year has been the most popular for people struggling with sleep. Perhaps it’s the stress of inflation; perhaps it’s the lack of free time to get a proper night’s rest. It could even be related to the amount of stimulation we’re exposed to daily. Regardless of the cause, more and more people are questioning why most people are so tired all the time. Many people are wondering how to improve their bedtime routines. Meanwhile, others are wondering if changing their sleep position can help them feel more rested.
Interestingly, some methods of promoting “sleep tourism” are actually used in many homes to help families sleep better. Moreover, hotels and other lodging arrangements have also adapted to some of these methods of sleep tourism. However, they’ve gone beyond what is generally found in a standard home.
More than just plush bedding and blackout curtains, these hotels are rolling out sleep tourism features such as beds that have real-time artificial intelligence to help ensure a more restful night’s sleep.
Hotels Designed for Sleep Tourism
Another example of nurturing the sleep tourism trend is the Zedwell Hotel in London. The hotel offers their guests minimalistic rooms without television sets and telephones. A clutter-free decor adds more comfort and relaxation while the rooms feature beautiful natural oak and ambient lighting. Zedwell also offers guests purified air and soundproof insulation to help further block out distractions.
The Park Hyatt in New York features 3 “sleep suites.” Each suite is designed with the aforementioned artificial intelligence to help guests get a restful night’s sleep. The beds in these suites play calming sounds and gently vibrate, “rocking” guests to sleep. Meanwhile, the smart bed technology adapts to movements and adjusts pressure making sleep more comfortable. Furthermore, the bed also helps guests wake up more peacefully, gently rocking sleeping guests awake over the course of 15 minutes. Each of these suites also offers “sleep related books” and an oil diffuser with a special sleep blend.
Relaxing Guests into Rejuvenation
Another London hotel, The Cadogan, has its own take on sleep tourism. The hotel partnered with sleep specialist and hypnotherapist Malminder Gill to create a “Sleep Concierge,” including meditation, a weighted blanket, scented pillow mists, and a special blend of herbs to make the perfect sleepy time tea. Guests also have the option to book separately a one-on-one session with Gill, who’ll use his expertise to help guests fall asleep more quickly and sleep more restfully.
Meanwhile, Six Senses Laamu, offers guests a “sleep wellness program” ranging from 3–10 days. The program includes wellness screenings and spa treatments as well as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, and nutritional advice. Furthermore, guests of the Sex Senses Laamu also gain access to the Timeshifter app, which helps minimize jet lag’s effects.
The hotel chain has locations in the Maldives, Switzerland, India, Turkey, and Thailand, as well as some others. Although the program features vary by location, they all offer rejuvenation and relaxation, encouraging the sleep tourism trend.
Wellness Centers Also Offer Sleep Tourism
While hotels are learning to adapt to the sleep tourism trend, wellness centers are also working hard to provide their guests with the most relaxing and restful stay possible. The Carillon Miami Wellness Resort uses a “tech-forward” approach, providing guests access to smart bed technology. Meaning they also offer guests access to vibrating beds and calming sounds or music. Some spa treatments have also been designed to nurture the sleep tourism trend by incorporating salt water therapy, meditation practices, and hypnosis. Perhaps the most exciting feature for relaxation is that each room is oceanfront on Miami Beach.
Alicante, Spain, also boasts a wellness center called Sha Wellness Clinic. The clinic has also partnered with experts to ensure guests have the best experience. Guests can participate in a “sleep medicine” program that includes a sleep consultation. Guests will be given a night-time polygraph, given by sleep medicine specialist Dr. Vicente Mera. They will also participate in a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) study, including tests that measure sleep and daytime indicators, such as resting heart rate. Each guest is given a customized wellness plan that tackles stress management and allows guests ample access to hydrotherapy.
Sleep Tourism or Spa Day
Although they sound very similar, sleep tourism differs from a spa vacation. Sleep tourism focuses primarily on ensuring a restful night’s sleep, promoting better health and well-being, and boosting energy levels throughout the day. Meanwhile, a spa vacation focuses on helping guests relax while in their waking lives.
Although sleep tourism is a popular trend to ensure guests get the most rest out of their stay, there may be travelers with other goals in mind. Fortunately, there are many other travel trends, including the opportunity to travel while still working remotely, a method called “digital nomadism”. Other travelers may desire total immersion. Experiential travel refers to a trip in which guests fully immerse themselves in the art, history, food, and culture of the places they visit.
Although the economy seems to be in a potential crisis, sleep tourism, and other travel packages can be advantageous to individuals and families looking to decompress from the stresses of life.
Keep Reading: Having trouble sleeping? Here’s how to fall asleep in just 1 minute
Sources
- “A new hotel trend that puts you to sleep — literally.” CNBC. Lisa Lucas. September3, 2023,
- “Exploring the world of Sleep Tourism.” Sleep Cycle. Susanne Lindberg Mikkelsen. March 16, 2023.
- “Top Travel Trends in 2023: What You Need to Know.” Ilha. Adir Ron. April 20, 2023.