Providing a place to sleep has always been the main purpose of hotels but it’s kind of been taken for granted. Basically, they give you a nice – or, at least, acceptable – bed and you spend a few hours in it between meetings, eating and sightseeing. But, according to a global study commissioned by IHG, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, lack of sleep is actually a primary concern for travelers, with 80 percent admitting they have trouble sleeping when they’re away from home. That means even their vacations aren’t relaxing.
Luckily, that’s starting to change.
Because sleep issues are emerging, more and more hotels are starting to focus on sleep as an important activity in itself. They’re offering special wellness packages, pillow menus, high-end mattresses – anything that will help guests rest their weary heads. IHG is even introducing circadian lighting in partnership with Healthe by Lighting Science Group to help promote better sleep.
In fact, with researchers discovering that the pandemic has had serious effects on people’s sleep – which can then have serious effects on their health – many hotels have transformed into highly-coveted destinations for sleep-cations. They’re putting the emphasis on sleep, so you can get a change of scenery and some guilt-free shuteye.
Here are 10 hotels that get an A for helping guests get their zzz’s.
Hästens Sleep Spa – CBR Boutique Hotel – Coimbra, Portugal
When it comes to sleep, this beautiful hotel is the gold standard. Although the building itself is rich with literary history and filled with stunning works of art, they understand that there’s no bigger luxury than sleep, and they’ve created a sanctuary that will leave you rested and rejuvenated.
Centered around the biggest name in the industry, each room features a Hästens bed – considered to be the best in the world. Easily recognizable by its signature blue-and-white checked fabric, the Swedish company has been making these beds by hand from the finest all-natural materials since 1852. Just know that once you have ensconced yourself in this unparalleled creation, you’re unlikely to want to get out and see much of lovely Coimbra.
Lotte New York Palace – New York, New York
If you can’t get to Portugal to experience Hästens Sleep Spa, no worries. Lotte New York Palace is home to the Hästens Ultimate Sleep Suite, an oasis 43 stories above the bustling city streets, where the star of the show is the $250,000 Hästens Vividus king mattress in the primary bedroom. There are also two Hästens queen beds in the guest bedroom.
The spacious suite features everything from a library nook and soaking tubs to keepsake sets of Hästens pajamas and slippers. But, really, all you’ll need is the “Do Not Disturb” sign because there’s a good chance you’ll never leave those beds.
The Benjamin – New York, New York
New York may be known as the city that never sleeps but Benjamin is determined to change that with their Rest & Renew program. Led by sleep medicine expert, Dr. Rebecca Robbins – who is also available for custom sleep consultations – the program features an extensive pillow menu categorized by sleep position and personal preferences, along with sleep masks, ear plugs, blackout curtains, noise machines and a music library of lullabies. It even offers On Demand Meditation, with 10-minute sessions available on your room phone anytime of the day or night.
The Benjamin also partners with Bedside Reading to gift guests a selection of new books to enjoy and take home with them. What parents may appreciate most, though, is Winks’ Kidzzz Club, which teaches children about sleep and makes bedtime fun and stress-free.
Rosewood London – London, UK
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts just launched the Alchemy of Sleep program in all 20 of their luxury properties – and you’ll want to spend a night or two at each one. In keeping with the brand’s “A Sense of Place” philosophy, offerings are locally-focused and designed to help you sleep like a baby.
Rosewood London has partnered with British skincare favorite, Votary, for a two-night Sleep Transformation package that includes a 120-minute intensive sleep treatment, a 60-minute CBD facial or massage and two yoga, meditation or breathing sessions, plus personalized sleep amenities and a beauty sleep kit.
If you only have one night away, you can opt for the Dreamscape package which includes a 60-minute CBD facial or massage and one yoga, meditation or breathing session, as well as Dreem Distillery’s sleep service – Night Drops, Bed Balm, a sleep mask – delivered by a Rosewood London butler. Suite dreams, indeed.
Six Senses Ibiza – Ibiza, Spain
A balm for all your senses, the dedicated “Sleep” program at this tropical paradise is carefully curated to help improve sleep patterns through relaxing treatments and amenities, soothing wellness therapies, personal training and sleep tracking. Everything is done in a stunning setting where you’re surrounded by so much natural beauty – which you can soak in whether you’re taking advantage of the wide variety of outdoor activities or lying on a chaise lounge.
Sleep is taken so seriously here, the resort is even hosting a four-day retreat, Solving the Mystery of Your Sleep with Dr. Michael Breus, aka The Sleep Doctor. Offering a personalized pre-bed routine, a sleep schedule and a morning routine, it’s just what the doctor ordered.
Equinox Hotel New York – New York, New York
You already know equinox for their luxury fitness clubs – their Manhattan hotel has a 60,000-square-foot one – but, if sleep is your activity of choice, you have to experience their hotel rooms, which are dedicated to regeneration. Set the room for optimal sleep conditions – “dark, quiet and cool” – with blackout blinds, total soundproofing and a button to automatically set the temperature to 68 degrees, scientifically proven to provide the best sleep experience.
Other thoughtful – and effective – touches include a mattress handcrafted from temperature-regulating natural materials and free of metal springs, individual duvets for couples sharing a king bed, custom content to help you wind down and so much more. And, for those nights when you can’t get enough sleep, the Wav Table at the Spa provides the equivalent of three hours of sleep in just 30 minutes.
Secret Bay Resort – Dominica
Not only will you be swept away by the breathtaking scenery at Dominica’s exclusive six-star, all-villa Relais & Châteaux rainforest resort, you’ll also be sleep away. This bespoke sleep program lets you select the best mattress, pillow, sleep mask and ear plugs to whisk you away to dreamland.
Before your slumber, though, your villa attendant will prepare a homemade herbal tea grown in Secret Bay’s own gardens. This is such a peaceful way to end the day, it may become a tradition you continue at home.
Hotel Figueroa – Los Angeles, California
This iconic hotel has been a safe haven for women traveling alone since it opened in 1926, and it continues to nurture guests of all genders with its new Rest & Recovery Suite. Custom wellness amenities include your own Pluto Pillow, which you order at a discount the week before your visit, so it will be waiting for you when you arrive.
You’ll spend the night (and maybe the day – no judgment) on a smart Eight Sleep mattress that adjusts to your ideal sleeping temperature. Best of all, it’s dual-zoned so you and your partner can each have your own personalized climate. That way, you’ll actually sleep instead of taking turns sneaking out of bed to turn the thermostat up or down.
The Retreat Costa Rica – Athens, Costa Rica
Founded by Diana Stobo, an innovator and leader in the global wellness industry, this award-winning and aptly-named resort is all about self-care – which starts with sleep. If the breathtaking views of the lush Costa Rican rainforest and the ocean aren’t enough to relax you, the five-night Art of Resting package will get you right back on track. It includes three delicious organic meals per day, a variety of spa and natural healing treatments and a dreamy kit that comes with a sleep mask, sleeping socks, an intention crystal and a mini lavender essence.
All 19 rooms are infused with selenite, a crystal used for good luck and protection, and feature diffusers with essential oils to reduce stress and promote good health. There are no TVs or landlines in the rooms, so you can fall asleep to the sound of the birds, whose tweets are the only ones conducive to keeping a chill vibe.
MGM Grand – Las Vegas, Nevada
Can you really get a good night’s sleep in Las Vegas? You bet! MGM Grand’s Stay Well rooms and suites are specially designed to feature a variety of wellness amenities, including a Stay Well mattress made of natural memory foam for optimal support and comfort; aromatherapy to create a calm, sleep-inducing environment; and circadian lighting that can be personalized to enhance your sleep.
There’s also long wave night lighting to minimize sleep disruption and a dawn simulator to wake you gently whatever time you decide to get up.
10Best is a part of the USA TODAY Network — providing an authentically local point of view on destinations around the world — in addition to travel and lifestyle advice.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism