Sleep programmes can give hotels the edge
Sleep health and the role of the spa, wellness and hospitality sectors was the subject of a lively panel at the recent GWS in Florida.
Moderated by Allison Howard, founder and CEO of Nollapelli, the session, titled Sleep: The Foundation of Health and Hospitality, heard the views of Francisco Levine from smart-bed supplier, Bryte; Tammy Pahel, from Carillon Miami; and sleep researcher Dr Rebecca Robbins, with contributions from Six Senses’ Anna Bjurstam.
The panellists agreed that sleep is one of the most under-researched areas in travel.
Robbins said: “We conducted a study of 800 recent travellers and asked them about their quality of sleep and willingness to return to a hotel.
“We found quality of sleep was generally very poor, but on the occasions when people had a better night's sleep at a hotel, they were much more likely to talk about it and return for another stay.
“We looked at factors that were strong predictors of the quality of sleep – some were obvious, such as a good pillow or fantastic mattress, but we also found surprising things, such the presence of a plug near a bed!
Pahel said hotels are overlooking sleep as a variable, saying: “If you're in the hotel business, the Forbes standard is what you live and breathe, but one of the big things we're missing is having a sleep programme because it will separate you from other luxury hotels.”
She explained that Carillon aims to be a leader in wellness, saying: “We've added Bryte beds to see how people will react. These digital beds collect data on how people sleep and will be a game-changer in how we deliver service."
Bjurstam spoke about what Six Senses does, saying: “We work with sleep specialist, Dr Breus. We have moisture-wicking sheets, a pillow menu, special hand-made beds, white noise machines and humidifiers, plus we set the room at the right temperature and offer snacks and bedtime yoga or yoga nidra programmes.
“Sleep is bigger than just the time you spend with your eyes closed,” said Bjurstam, “Its about your wellbeing during the whole of the day.”
The panellists suggested spas could open later to give relaxing treatments to help people wind down, offer herbal remedies, create sleep sanctuaries and eliminate all light from sleeping spaces.
You can find out more about this and all other GWS sessions via the GWS portal.
Sleep Bryte GWS Global Wellness Summit Francisco Levine Dr Rebecca Robbins Allison Howard Anna BjurstamOptimism for the future of the wellness industry prevails at GWS
Wellness architect Veronica Schreibeis Smith wins Leading Woman In Wellness Award
2020 Shark Tank of Wellness competition winner hopes to help more people eat ‘food without fear’
19th US Surgeon General tells the wellness sector 'we all have the power to be healers'
GWS crowns designer protein company winner of first-ever wellness tech innovation competition
Wellness is up for reinvention, says GWS keynote John Kao
GWI report identifies mental wellness as US$121bn emerging industry
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Three years after Pegasus Capital bought Six Senses, how close is the private equity firm to realising its goals for its first spa and hospitality investment? Pegasus’ founder Craig Cogut tells us what’s been achieved and what comes next