Air travel is up 12% from the summer of 2022 and travel spending is increasing. Greece is planning for tourists to schedule time slots when visiting outdoor attractions like the Acropolis which sees more than 20,000 visitors a day on average. Overcrowded airports, airplanes, hotels, tourist attractions, and national parks are higher than prior to the pandemic.
With people itching to travel after COVID restrictions, lodging accommodations are wise on keeping up with competitors like Airbnb and similar rental accommodations. However, this goes beyond a comfortable mattress, quality bedding, and plush pillows to accommodate different needs in the newest wave of Sleep Tourism.
Sleep Tourism
An article from CNBC talked recently about the phenomenon of sleep tourism programs. When we see blackout curtains and Sleep Number exclusive licensed hotel chains, sleep tourism goes beyond. Some are offering aesthetic rooms with natural colors, ambient light, and purified air. Others are distraction-free with no televisions, telephones, or windows.
Six Senses international hotel guests can book a sleep wellness program which includes spa treatments, meditation exercises, wellness screenings, and sleep tracking. In Miami, the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort also provides guests with the Bryte Balance mattress, hypnosis sessions, and saltwater bath therapies. They also boast a “Somadome futuristic meditation pod that combines color and sound.”
Park Hyatt in New York City offers “Sleep Suites” with Bryte Balance sleep mattresses which play sounds and use motion to lull you to sleep. “To wake up, the bed gradually moves over a period of 15 minutes to slowly and silently wake users up again. Within the mattress, a matrix of AI cushions adapts to body movements to relieve pressure in real-time.”
In Miami, the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort also provides guests with the Bryte Balance mattress, hypnosis sessions, and saltwater bath therapies. They also boast a “Somadome futuristic meditation pod that combines color and sound.”
According to Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep researcher, “Travel experiences centered around ‘healthy sleep strategies‘ that aim to supply guests with the tools they need to improve their sleep can be hugely beneficial, provided a reputable medical or scientific expert is involved in some way to help to determine whether there may be something else at play.”
Hotel Packing Tips and Tricks
- Travel with white noise. Pack a portable fan, or white noise machine or download an app on your cell phone. White noise will help drown out any unwanted noise in the parking lot or in the hallway. Tip: Sleep at home with some white noise prior to travel if this is a new idea to fall asleep with noise.
- Diffuse. If you normally have lavender, eucalyptus, or chamomile aromas filling the bedroom, pack a travel diffuser. Tip: if you are an avid essentials oil user, make certain to pack the small 3-ounce bottles, so they are TSA-friendly.
- Bring your travel CPAP. Don’t risk your sound sleep while trying to enjoy a relaxing vacation. Tip: CPAP machines are considered medical devices covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and do not count as one of your carry-on items if you are traveling by plane.
- Bring antacids. If you do suffer from apnea due to acid reflux or other indigestion issues, pack antacids. Some international locations do not have easy access to items like over-the-counter in the U.S. Tip: bring a few on the plane in case your luggage goes missing.
- Pack a photo. For business travelers, it is nice to have a family or familiar photo travel with you. Tip: if you have young children, ask for some handmade art you can put on the bathroom mirror. Anything to remind you of home can help.
- Bring your own pillow. If you purchase a compression travel bag, you can pack your own pillow. Tip: Search for a compression bag that does not require a pump.
- Do not disturb. Place this on your door when you arrive. This little sign will help save you from early housekeeping visits. Most locations are staggering their times since covid so be aware of the housekeeping policies when you arrive. Tip: Leave a larger tip if you wait a few days for housekeeping services.
No matter your sleeping arrangements, do not let sleep apnea hinder your travel plans. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you want to be at your best, and you’re not going to get there if you’re losing sleep.
If you need any additional information on traveling for a healthy night’s sleep or traveling with a CPAP machine or would like to purchase a travel-specific CPAP machine, feel free to contact the Alaska Sleep Clinic.
