By Ebony Williams, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The advantages of going on vacation can vary depending on the individual. Travelers may want to discover a new place, experience the nightlife in a different city, spend time with family and friends, or get some much-needed rest and relaxation.
The latest trend in vacations is sleep tourism, which replaces busy schedules with options for comfortable pillows and relaxation. According to HTF Market Intelligence, this industry is expected to grow by $409.8 billion by 2028.
“We’ve mentioned before that sleep is not thought of positively in this country,” ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton told Good Morning America. “We consider it a luxury, but it is actually a medical requirement.”
Although sleep tourism is relatively new, hotels around the world are taking advantage of the need for a good night’s sleep. The Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles has introduced its Rest and Recovery Suite that includes light therapy, Molekule air purifiers, personalized Pluto Pillows, and more.
The well-known hotel chain Hilton has added more sleep-related services over the years. One of its popular vacation destinations, the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Italy, offers pillow options, while the Conrad Bali in Indonesia provides an extra paid option called “Sway,” offering a 60-minute sleep therapy session while suspended in hammocks.
“Travelers participating in sleep tourism are going the extra mile and searching for unique experiences, facilities, and settings that help them achieve their sleep and relaxation objectives,” Amanda Al-Masri, the vice president of wellness at Hilton, told Fortune Well.
If you’re hoping to make the most of a sleep vacation, here are the top five retreats in the United States, according to Time Out, that offer calming rooms perfect for a night or a longer stay:
- Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort in Lanai City, Hawaii
- Mountain Shadows Resorts in Paradise Valley, Arizona
- Castle Hot Springs in Morristown, Arizona
- Smyth Tribeca in New York
- Carillon Miami Wellness Resort in Miami
“Giving priority to sleep can be difficult in the modern world, but doing so can bring about numerous benefits, including increased productivity and better focus, as well as slowing down the aging process,” Dr. Marc Milstein, a leading researcher who recently wrote, “The Age-Proof Brain,” told Well Connected.
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