Travellers are betting on tech for a decent night’s sleep snooze therapy
From AI-assisted beds to on-call hypnotherapists, sleep tourism is a fast-growing industry
A good night’s rest isn’t just a selling point for hotels; it’s a fast-growing industry.
“Hotels locked in a death match with Airbnb have begun to explore ways in which to compete by offering services and amenities around the primary purpose of a hotel stay: A restful night’s sleep,” said Chekitan Dev, a professor at the Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration, US.
From AI-assisted beds to on-call hypnotherapists, today’s sleep tourism is going well beyond basics such as blackout curtains and pillow menus to capture the business of sleep seekers.
Here’s what some are doing:
Smart beds
Bryte, a $6,299 AI-assisted, smartphone-pairable mattress is, according to CEO Luke Kelly, the only bed with an active pressure-relief system that adjusts as you move to optimise deep sleep.
One user said she was surprised by the way the subtle rocking of the mattress “hit the right notes. It brought me back to a baby stage”. She also liked the Somnify feature, which syncs movement with soundscapes (she chose lightning and thunder).
SmartGoggles
At the Beatrice in Rhode Island, US, guests who opt for the Sleep Wellness package (starting at $419 per night) get a Therabody SmartGoggles — an eye mask that uses heat, massage and vibration to lower your heart rate and ease facial tension.
Cocooning
Relaxing the mind is a common theme in sleep tourism, but how each hotel accomplishes that varies. Britain’s Zedwell hotels feature small, dimly lit ‘cocoons’ with no distractions: No TVs, no phones. At the Conrad Bali, guests can book a private 60-minute SWAY session in the spa (starting at $95), which entails lying in a swinging, aerial, swaddled hammock. The rocking is meant to mimic fl oating on a cloud or being in the womb.
Light and hydrotherapy
The Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, US, hosts a four-night Sleep Well Retreat ($2,598) that includes a five-treatment sleep circuit which uses infrared light, salt floats and electromagnetic frequencies to induce relaxation. The package also includes a sleep promoting massage and access to the thermal hydrotherapy circuit (a herbal sauna, a rain room and loungers warmed by radiant heat).
