As the world reels from a devastating pandemic, different communities experience different effects. However, there seems to be one main impact that is felt across borders: the deterioration in quality of sleep. With the number of Google searches for insomnia hitting an all-time high in 2020, it is clear that this so-called ‘coronasomnia’ has impacted many people across the globe.

Considering the stresses of 2020 demanding better sleep health, high-end hotels and cruise ships are placing particular emphasis on providing restful, uninterrupted deep sleep.

What this means for the hospitality industry

The truth is that sleep hasn’t been a main concern for those in the hospitality industry as Covid-19 precautions and job retention were prioritized in 2020. However, a 2019 J.D. Power survey revealed that only 29% of US hotel guests experienced a ‘better than expected’ night’s sleep during their stay. This means that 2021 poses great opportunities for those hotels and cruise ships looking to upgrade their offer, enhance their guest experience, and, ultimately, build an army of returning loyalists.

“Delivering a superior sleep experience is a huge opportunity for hotels to differentiate themselves from the pack and earn significant goodwill with guests,” says Jennifer Corwin, J.D. Power senior manager of consumer insights for travel and hospitality.

How to provide a superior sleep experience?

This opportunity then begs the question, what does a superior sleep experience involve? What do guests need? Having spent 50 years asking these same questions and providing mattresses, beds, bases, and even pillowcases designed for optimal sleep, Dorelan can make a few recommendations:

• Reduce background noise
  Your guest is unlikely to have a proper night’s rest and you’re unlikely to receive a good review if every thump, bump, and late-night conversation can be heard from within their room. Rely on thick carpets, heavy drapes, ceiling sound insulation, thicker doorways, and absorbent décor items to reduce noise. You can also set HVAC systems on a schedule to minimize whirring in the night. Still struggling with background noise? Consider a white noise machine as an extra touch.
• Create a calming ambiance
  Just as fluorescent lights have a habit of highlighting every bump, so, too, do bright blue or Versicolor spectrum (white light) stimulate the body’s circadian rhythm to be awake and alert. Introduce the option to dim lights or add more shades of warmer red colors to naturally stimulate drowsiness.
• Appeal to the senses
  Sleep isn’t just about the bed and bedroom. It’s an entire sensory experience that you can leverage to give guests an unforgettable night’s rest. You can offer a variety of in-room herbal teas like chamomile to encourage sleep as well as incorporate subtle scents like lavender, sage, or bergamot.
• Ensure beds that are up for the job
  An average bed is not going to support the deep, relaxing sleep necessary to overcome the dreaded ‘coronasomnia.’ No matter what you choose, look for mattresses with multiple high-tech layers that mold to the body and support spinal alignment. Then, use bedding that feels luxurious, looks like art and is a delight to sleep in.

With 50 years of experience, Dorelan Italian design lets your guests sleep well and live better through a blend of art and science. Our team of scientists creates high-tech mattress layers for optimal alignment and our superior craftsmanship ensures beds, bases, and even pillowcases that enhance your hotel or cruise ship with the finest art.