Getting a good night’s rest—particularly during the last couple of years—seems to be an increasingly tough feat to overcome. Currently, 50 to 70 million US adults have a sleep disorder, with insomnia ranking as the most common, and approximately 35 percent of adults report experiencing less than seven hours of sleep during a typical 24-hour period. That’s why sleep tourism—travel destinations and programming centered around a good night’s sleep—is poised to be one of the biggest travel trends of 2022. It’s not an entirely new concept—sleep-themed services have popped up on spa menus and hotel packages over the years—but industry experts are noticing a stronger desire from visitors to partake in experiences and treatments that aid in rejuvenating slumber.
“During the pandemic, all of our natural cycles changed. We started seeing more cases of mental health issues, depression, and anxiety. And with all of this, sleep patterns changed too,” Viceroy Los Cabos Spa and Wellness Director Vanessa Infante tells Coveteur. “Now that we are coming back to normal life, people are looking for experiences that help them resolve their sleeping patterns, eat healthier, and exercise.”
Though some may think of a sleep-themed vacation as a tad indulgent, Infante insists this isn’t the case. “Wellbeing shouldn’t be a luxury,” she says. “It should be the most important part of your life. Because without health, we have nothing.” Ahead, we rounded up 10 spots to consider for your next snooze-inducing (in the best way possible) getaway.
Bespoke Pillows at Hotel Figueroa
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Figueroa by Tanveer Badal
Opened in 1926 as a women-only hostelry, Hotel Figueroa is a slice of history in downtown Los Angeles. The property underwent a well-publicized redesign in 2018 and came out on the other end a stylish blend of original 1920s Spanish Colonial style with contemporary touches (think: paintings by female artists as a nod to its origins as a safe haven for women). The hotel recently launched a Rest & Recovery Suite as a response to the havoc that COVID-19 has wreaked on sleep. Two to three weeks prior to your stay, the hotel will send you a pillow quiz to gauge your slumber needs courtesy of Pluto Pillow, a woman-owned company that custom-crafts pillows according to body stats and sleep preferences. Hotel Figueroa is also working with Eight Sleep, a customizable Pod mattress that learns your sleep patterns and adjusts the temperature based on your biometrics throughout the night. It’s dual-zoned, which means it can adapt to more than one person in bed at a time.
Sleep-Inducing Minerals at Castle Hot Springs
Photo: Courtesy of Castle Hot Springs
Long before travelers were able to fully customize a sleep-themed vacation, they opted for the old school approach—natural hot springs. As it turns out, this method still works pretty well. At Castle Hot Springs in Arizona, hotel guests can plunge into geo-thermal hot springs that were naturally forged into the land over 13,000 years ago. Sleep comes into the picture with the water’s unique mineral mixture. After a treatment in one of the outdoor cabanas that overlook a creek shadowed under palms, a soak in powerful chemicals will set the stage for a restful slumber. First, magnesium (a sleep superstar ingredient) aids in blood circulation and relaxation. Then calcium works to regulate heart rhythms and improve muscle function. After, sodium soothes joint aches and arthritis. Lastly, lithium can boost your mood—leaving you in the perfect position to catch some Zzz’s.
A Visit to the Sleep Doctor at Six Senses Ibiza
Photo: Courtesy of Six Senses Ibiza by Assaf Pinchuk
Ibiza isn’t at the top of the list of destinations you might associate with a good night's rest, but that’s been changing over the last few years with resorts like Six Senses positioning the island as a wellness Mecca. The property’s sleep program melds advice from their “Sleep Doctor” with Yoga Nidra as well as meditation, massage treatments, therapies, nutrition insights, and low-intensity training (like yoga, personal training, or pilates). With the choice between three-, five-, and seven-night sleep stays, visitors partake in wellness screenings and consultations followed by programming like Yoga Nidra, a “dreamcatcher” massage, a cryotherapy session, plus sleep tracking throughout your entire stay on this dreamy Balearic island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sleep Naturopathy at Hôtel de Crillon
Photo: Courtesy of Hôtel de Crillon
Steps away from the breathtaking Tuileries Garden in Paris sits Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood hotel that, in conjunction with the company’s other properties (Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Rosewood London, and Rosewood Baha Mar, to name a few), recently debuted Alchemy of Sleep. Experience the Parisian take on beauty rest with the hotel’s Sleep Transformation package, which includes a two-night stay with a 90-minute spa treatment and five sessions with an expert revolved around topics like sleep meditation, breathing exercises, pool stretching, and sleep naturopathy. Other amenities like an eye mask, night face mask, silk pillow, sleeping mask, and bath salts are also included to cement the sleepy subject matter.
Sleep Meditations at Mystique Hotel Santorini
Photo: Courtesy of Mystique Hotel Santorini
As if you needed an excuse to head to the Greek islands, Mystique Hotel Santorini just launched mind and body programming to further incentivize a visit. The “Choose Your Journey” meditation program is accessed via an app and is in partnership with wellness and technology studio OPO. It’s split between six sessions including Santorini Calling, Morning Rise, Daytime Chill, Evening Reflections, Night Sky, and Memories of Santorini. In addition to this, there are six podcast episodes queued up, including “Dr. Matthew Walker: The Science & Practice of Perfecting Your Sleep,” which discusses the biology of sleep, its different stages, and the impacts on those stages when you’re sleep deprived.
Sleep and Glow at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
Combining the benefits of sleep and holistic beauty, the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in the village of Champillon, France is now offering a Royal Sleep Experience in partnership with cult-favorite French beauty brand AIME. Check into a junior suite (blackout curtains and soundproofed room included) that overlooks the prestigious winemaking countryside. Inside, discover AIME’s Sleep & Glow kit, which includes a sleep mist and melatonin-based supplement drops. There’s also a Morphée box to guide you through pre-sleep meditation sessions and a satin sleeping mask. Additionally, the package includes a one-hour candle massage at the spa and a dedicated menu at Le Bellevue restaurant on property along with their signature Sleeping Beauty cocktail. While enjoying your meal, the hotel team will spray sleeping mist in your bedroom, close the curtains, and place homemade herbal tea bedside.
Natural Aromatherapy at The Shelbourne
Photo: Courtesy of The Shelbourne
Arguably the most iconic (and historic) hotel in Dublin, The Shelbourne has partnered with luxury Irish brand Ground Wellbeing for its recently-launched “Fall In Love With Sleep” package. Enjoy a customized treatment that combines gentle breath work with 100 percent natural aromatherapy oils and balms focused on guiding you into deep slumber. Also included is an overnight stay, dinner in the property’s Saddle Room, and a relaxing yoga class. For the traveler who wants a no-frills, sleep-focused getaway somewhere beautiful and easily accessible, this is the ticket.
Chakra Sleep Ritual at The Lodge at Blue Sky
Photo: Courtesy of The Lodge at Blue Sky
From May 30 to June 2, The Lodge at Blue Sky in picturesque Park City, Utah, will host THE WELL to integrate craniosacral therapy with the resort’s own wellness programming. Over the course of four days, partake in movement classes, meditations, trail rides, craniosacral sessions with Michelle Stoppi, sunrise hikes, and even a regenerative plant and mushroom lunch by Plant People’s founder Gabe Kennedy. While here, head to the property’s Edge spa for the Chakra Sleep Ritual. You’ll discuss the science behind the importance of sleep with your practitioner and learn how to create a successful ritual at home. The practitioner will also guide you through an energy-clearing meditation and into a deep resting state to balance the chakras.
CBD Treatments at Cliveden House
Photo: Courtesy of Cliveden House
Built in 1666 by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, Cliveden House is a privately-owned hotel situated on 376 acres of National Trust grounds in Berkshire, England. The property’s spa is built in partnership with CBD oil brand OTO and offers a sleep experience focused on leaving guests well-rested and rejuvenated. Included in the package is a 90-minute OTO massage and the choice between a 60-minute private yoga class or a sound healing session. Finish the day off with a luxurious night’s rest in your chosen room or suite and take an OTO sleep gift home with you before departing.
Healing Experiences at Viceroy Los Cabos
Photo: Courtesy of Viceroy Los Cabos
The spa and wellness programming at Viceroy Los Cabos is a treasure trove of sleep-inducing treatments and healing experiences, from sound meditations to craniosacral therapy. Their Disconnect and Reconnect retreat lets guests create their own itinerary based on guidance from wellness experts, like Spa and Wellness Director Vanessa Infante. Kick things off with a sunset meditation and indulge in an Herbal Dreamcatcher Massage or experience a Breathwave Journey at the beach. You can even book the Tranquil Damiana, a massage that incorporates autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) sleep techniques and the aroma of the native damiana flower, known as the Mexican “love potion” to achieve significant relaxation (Infante notes this massage is ideal for jet lag and disrupted sleep patterns).