Just as death and taxes are life’s only certainties, sleep is among its few necessities – right up there alongside food and water (tiredness is also more likely to increase hunger as it causes a drop in the appetite-regulating hormone, leptin).
We can even function for longer without food than we can without sleep, but the problem is that most of us don’t get enough of it.
Not getting enough shuteye doesn’t just lead to grogginess, it can have serious impacts on our physical and mental health while also affecting the likes of our driving ability and workplace productivity (in Japan, workplace napping is often encouraged as it can be interpreted as a sign of exhaustion from overwork). Lack of sleep can even make us more prone to serious illness and, if it continues for long enough, reduce life expectancy. Little wonder sleep tourism is the latest wellness trend taking the world by storm.
Snore & Restore
A sleep retreat is a specialised destination that offers the sleep-starved a space to disconnect, decompress, and doze. Sleeping aside, it may also offer guests the opportunity to take part in the likes of yoga, meditation, massage, and breathwork classes, alongside treatments such as floatation therapy and aromatherapy, with rooms kitted out with the likes of crystals, sound machines, and pillow menus. Some luxury retreats will even offer workshops and consultations with sleep experts.
Sleep is most definitely ‘in’, with travel industry insiders commenting how sleep tourism has skyrocketed since the pandemic, leading companies to cater to the trend. According to travel industry news site Skift, most travellers are now willing to fork out for premium packages with sleep-focused amenities while the Global Wellness Institute estimates sleep tourism to be worth USD$1.4 trillion by 2027. Society is tired!
Establishments in major centres have reported that they’re having to close early because of a lack of late-night patrons, while social media is awash with younger generations bragging about their bedtime routines and how much shuteye they get. Some are even saying that the rejection of alcohol by gen Z is at least partly driven by its tendency to disrupt sleep.
Hotel Dreaming
A survey by the Hilton late last year found that the top reason for holidaying in 2024 was to “rest and restore”, with sleep named as the main priority, leading to the establishment of a series of sleep retreats at a handful of their hotels in partnership with sleep science expert Dr Rebecca Robbins.
“Understanding the vital role sleep plays in our lives goes much deeper than just knowing we need it,” says Dr Robbins. “It’s about nurturing and prioritising it, especially in our fast-moving word where being constantly on the go is the norm.”
Aside from offering the Hilton’s usual wellness facilities, the retreats provide an “all-encompassing journey into the science and practice of achieving restful, restorative sleep” with the opportunity to participate in activities, discussions, strategies and meditations led by Dr Robbins. “Collaborating with Hilton to bridge the gap between sleep science and its practical, everyday application excites me,” she adds, “and our retreats serve as a wonderful demonstration of how this knowledge can be brought to life – whether traveling or at home.”
A couple of years back, in partnership with the World Sleep Society – and to coincide with World Sleep Day – Cordis Auckland launched Sleep Matters by Chuan. The in-room sleep wellness programme incorporates essential oils for bathtime, a sleep magazine, sleep tips, and ear auricular acupuncture therapy, much of which can be enjoyed from the hotel’s signature ‘dream beds’.
“There is a direct link to guest sleep quality and their happiness with their hotel,” Bob van den Oord, then-regional vice president of operations of Langham Hospitality Group – whose portfolio includes Cordis – said at the time. “Sleep Matters by Chuan is deliberately designed to enhance the wellness of our guests with new rituals and habits that they can take home and use long after they have stayed with us.”
We take a look at hotels offering similar experiences around the world…
The Cadogan, London
Provided in partnership with Harley Street hypnotherapist and sleep expert Malminder Gill, the Sleep Concierge is a complimentary service at the luxury Cadogan hotel in the UK capital. Guests can make use of the in-house meditation app along with a pillow menu and pillow mist, an optional weighted blanket, and a specially developed bedtime tea. You need to book in advance for the one-on-one with Malminder Gill.
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort, Hawaii
On the Hawaiian island of Lanai, expert sleep practitioners host the Rest and Recovery package at the Four Seasons resort of Sensai Lanai, with custom itineraries tailored to guests’ specific sleep goals. The package also includes the likes of forest bathing, yoga, uber-luxe lodgings, and dining by Nobu.
Six Senses, Ibiza
Ibiza might not be the most obvious destination for dreamland, but away from the party hubs it offers some of the region’s most breathtaking – and relaxing – experiences, few more so this hotel. Positioned on Spain’s Balearic archipelago, the hotel doesn’t just offer dreamy views but a sleep programme that incorporates a consultation with the resident sleep doctor along with the likes of a wellness screening, yoga, meditation, massage, and sleep tracking for the duration of your stay.
Shanti Maurice, Mauritius
What better site for a sleep retreat than a tiny tropical island in the Indian Ocean? The Shanti Sleep and Recovery Programme is a five-day package that begins with a wellness consultation to pinpoint potential sleeping problems and continues with relaxation techniques that include personalised yoga, Tibetan sound massage, and sleep therapy sessions.
Kamalaya, Thailand
You can opt for programmes that last for up to three weeks at this multi-award-winning wellness resort on the spectacular island of Koh Sumai. Experts on hand to ensure you have a restful stay – and sleep-filled life beyond! – include a life enhancement mentor, mindfulness teacher, naturopath, and Chinese medical practitioner offering everything from massages to meditation to reflexology classes.
Snooze Button
Until you can make that well-deserved sleep retreat booking, here are a few tips to create snooze-inducing routine at home:
- create the cosiest environment by investing in a weighted blanket, plush pillows, and some lavender mist
- before hitting the sack, take a soak in a warm bath infused with essential oils or sleep salts. A pre-bed meditation works wonders, too
- avoiding eating for at least three hours before bedtime, though a soothing cup of sleepy tea such as camomile it recommended
- shut down those screens long before you plan on some shuteye and consider reading instead – it’s all about establishing a regular, relaxing routine before bed
