Entering the ‘Land of Nod’ can sometimes feel like a mission far too impossible – who has time for that? But sleep tourism – where hotels offer sleep-specific retreats to improve your slumber – is on the rise.
We all know how important sleep is for our health, but too often it is too easily pushed aside by endless to-do lists, social calendars and so much more. It’s no surprise then that hospitality group Accor has revealed that 86% of Europeans struggle to sleep.
Luckily, the notion of sleep tourism – aka travelling specifically to give yourself time to properly rest and recharge – is rapidly on the rise. In fact, according to new research, 38% of travellers in the US and Europe have intentionally chosen hotels or rentals based on sleep-related features, and one in five would pay more for a hotel specifically designed for better sleep.
From sleep-specific retreats to specialist-backed sleep tourism programmes, here are our favourite hotels for a truly ‘dream’ set up.
RAKxa Integrative Wellness Retreat, Thailand
Voted Thailand’s Best Wellness Retreat at the World Spa Awards 2024, what makes RAKxa truly special is its 360-degree philosophy. Rather than plastering over symptoms with short-term R&R, the resort blends scientific rigour with traditional healing rituals, powered by the team’s understanding that how we feel – poor sleep, low energy, stress, hormones, tech fatigue – are rarely caused by one thing. That ethos means that the Sleep Enhancement programme goes far beyond soothing massages and dimly lit rooms. It explores why you’re not sleeping and restores balance through targeted bodywork, vibrational therapy, herbal compresses and deeply grounding treatments like Shirodhara and Singing Bowl Healing. The result is not just better sleep, but the ability to wake up feeling truly refreshed. Meanwhile, the Energy Renewal programme is a lifeline for anyone truly running on empty. Through personalised diagnostics, IV nutrient therapy, stress-release treatments and hormonal recalibration, it steadily rebuilds your resilience so your energy actually feels sustainable – and that’s an incredible feeling.
Shangri-La Colombo, Sri Lanka
Described by general manager Hervé Duboscq as Sri Lanka’s “first-ever sleep tourism experience,” the SleepCation at Shangri-La Colombo transforms your hotel room into a cocoon-like sanctuary, which is specifically designed to lull even the most restless traveller into a blissful night’s kip. Created in partnership with leading Ayurvedic brand Spa Ceylon, the programme means you don’t even need to wander down to the Chi spa to supercharge your R&R (though their jet lag-busting The Traveller’s Retreat is worth squeezing in). Instead, the pampering comes straight to you. A luxe sleep kit awaits in your room, packed with soothing bath oils, linen mists and salts so you can curate your own bedtime wind-down. Add to that the guided in-room sleep videos, the ability to choose the perfect pillow firmness for you, and meals delivered right to your bedside, and you start to understand why guests check in tired and check out glowing. The process even begins before you arrive as the guest experience team will reach out to you to understand exactly how you like to rest – from the perfect air-conditioning temperature to whether you’d like gentle yoga, breathwork or meditation woven into your stay. It all comes together to become a truly restorative escape, rather than just another night spent in an (albeit luxury) hotel.
Longevity Hotel, Algarve, Portugal
The impressive wellness roster at the Longevity Hotel in the Algarve (which, as the name suggests, is all about the science of preventing ageing) includes a week-long Sleep Optimisation retreat that’s all about long-term results not short-term fixes. What sets it apart is that it doesn’t just focus on techniques that encourage sleep, but it more thoroughly aims to get to the root cause of your insomnia or even just slightly bad habits. That’s why it includes a sleep apnea screening, as well as medical and nutritional consultations to ensure your better sleep regime is totally tailored to your lifestyle. If stress is causing you to have restless nights – which is incredibly common – you will also enjoy a week filled with stress-relief massages, guided meditation, yoga, and Epsom salt flotations, alongside getting advice from leading experts in mindfulness, energetic healing and emotional detoxing. The programme gives you access to the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop pool and extensive water relaxation circuit too, which includes an infra-red sauna and hammam.
The Marbella Club, Marbella, Spain
If you think you are just too busy for sleep tourism – especially if you find it hard enough to squeeze in a family holiday with the kids – the Marbella Club, A Leading Hotel of the World, is for you. One of Europe’s most sought-after beach resorts it is known for offering carefree, slow living – but with the addition of the most extensive Kids’ Club in Europe and plentiful food and beverage offerings, so you don’t feel you are missing out on holiday indulgences. The hotel’s progressive approach to holistic wellness brings facilities and therapeutic offerings designed for ultimate relaxation and healing straight to you too. The Tranquility and Sleep Enhancing Programme is one of them and, using evidence-based techniques proven to improve sleep, the gentle programme includes an extensive variety of therapeutics including: a sleep-inducing ritual using Tibetan singing bowl vibrational massage; hydramemory facials; stress-reducing rituals; marine magnesium or calcium wraps; personal guided meditation or yoga sessions; and a lifestyle or nutrition consultation with Quest.
Pennyhill Park, Surrey, UK
An indulgent 80-minute treatment, multiple pools in which to take a soothing dip, and a gift to help extend your sleep once home, Pennyhill Park’s Surrey-based Pro-Sleep Spa Retreat is a chance to pamper yourself to a better night’s rest. Focusing on resetting your circadian rhythms (which control your sleep cycle), the star of the one-night retreat is the Tranquillity Pro-Sleep Treatment, which uses [comfort zone] skincare, aromatherapy, music and unique massage techniques to act on three different sensorial pathways, promoting a really deep feeling of calm. The addition of a Booster Facial treatment leaves your skin feeling more awake and refreshed too, which is a definite bonus. Then, when you get back to your room in a sleepy haze after your time in the award-winning 45,000-square-foot spa, you can enjoy a special ‘Sleep Well Tea’ from London-based brand Camellias’s Tea House, and more [comfort zone] Tranquillity products to try.
Banyan Tree Veya Phuket, Thailand
Sleep problems can be incredibly personal, meaning there’s often not a one-size-fits all solution. That’s frustrating but it’s also why Veya Phuket’s sleep retreat is so recommended – everything is bespoke to your needs. In fact, your Veya journey begins with a private consultation with the resort’s wellbeing hosts, who are certified and trained in Eastern medicine, naturopathy and coaching. This assessment then provides your personalised itinerary to ensure your R&R activities are totally aligned to your specific needs, with the Sleep Regeneration programme comprising sleep-inducing therapeutic massages, meditation rituals, and a practical sleep workshop. Even the layout of your villa is designed with sleep in mind: the ‘For Your Rest’ category bedrooms include organic cotton bed linen, a pillow selection, black-out curtains, nightly aromatherapy, sleep light and music, while the ‘For Your Restoration’ bedrooms feature a private swimming pool, outdoor jet pool, wellbeing mini bar, yoga mat, meditation singing bowl, and exercise stretch bands. Whichever you choose, you’ll leave well-rested and empowered to continue improving your sleep at home.
Six Senses Ibiza, Ibiza
Whether you’re looking for some pampering recovery after partying the night away in Ibiza, or want to explore the award-winning wellness side of the island, you can’t go wrong at Six Senses Ibiza. Designed to restore mood, memory, and energy levels; while reducing stress, the hotel’s signature wellness programme aims to help you establish a sleep routine that’s actually sustainable. There’s even a ‘sleep doctor’ on site to guide you to the best treatments through a tailored 45-minute wellness screening. In fact, throughout your 3- to 7-day stay, you can experience a bounty of sleep-inducing activities including yoga nidra, regular massages, classes such as Pilates, personal training, sleep amenities, and sleep tracking throughout the duration of your stay. The steam room, hammam, and cutting-edge fitness centre, as well as a juice bar, are also available for your enjoyment, as are the spa’s organic gardens, where you can get involved with an Alchemy workshop that gives you the chance to make your own potions and aromatherapy scrubs.
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