Many hotels are now enlisting the services of “Sleep Consultants.” Standing amidst the hustle and bustle of Portland, Maine’s lively streets, it’s hard to believe that a peaceful sleep oasis could be found nearby. Yet, at the Longfellow Hotel on Congress Street, guests are promised an unparalleled sleep experience. Designed with sleep as its core focus, the hotel aims to provide guests with the best rest of their lives.
Tony DeLois, co-principal and chief operating officer at Uncommon Hospitality, the company behind the Longfellow, emphasizes the importance of quality sleep. Recognizing that sleep is crucial for a healthy life, DeLois sought guidance from Sleep Wise, a team of specialists in sleep improvement. Although there is no standardized training for “sleep consultants,” Sleep Wise experts, including speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and child development specialists, have successfully helped numerous families achieve better sleep habits.
Anxiety is a common obstacle to restful sleep among adults, notes Katie Pitts, founder of Sleep Wise. Hotels offer a unique opportunity to escape daily stressors and cultivate healthy sleep routines. Recognizing the prevalence of sleep deprivation, hotels like Equinox are enhancing their sleep offerings with tools developed in collaboration with sleep scientists. Additionally, AI-powered Bryte beds are gaining popularity for their ability to optimize sleep conditions and provide valuable sleep insights.
The trend of prioritizing sleep in hospitality is growing, with more hotels incorporating dedicated sleep experts and innovative technologies to enhance guests’ sleep experiences.
The Little Nell in Aspen and 79 other U.S. hospitality properties, including the Aman New York and various Four Seasons locations, offer sleep-optimized rooms with features like blackout curtains and soundproofing. They also provide spa treatments designed to promote restful sleep, such as deep-sleep massages, sound baths, meditation loungers, and sleep IVs with relaxation-boosting vitamins and nutrients. These amenities aim to give guests the best sleep possible while away from home.
My Experience in a “Certified Ideal Sleep Conditions” Hotel
DeLois Pitts, the founder of the Longfellow hotel, designed the property to address common sleep issues experienced in other hotels. With a focus on creating a comfortable and quiet sleeping environment, the hotel features double-thick walls and meticulous details like rubber-wrapped electrical outlets to minimize room-to-room noise.
As someone who values and requires ample sleep, I found the Longfellow’s approach appealing. The hotel allowed me to check in early and provided a room with blackout curtains and a Loftie alarm clock offering meditations and white noise. The room’s soundproof door and sleep-supporting tips added to the tranquility of the space, allowing me to easily drift off to sleep.
In the evening, I visited the Five of Clubs bar for an Amarelle, a functional beverage with melatonin-rich tart cherry juice aimed at promoting sleep. The on-site spa, Astrea, offered opportunities for relaxation, including an anti-gravity lounger for meditation and a sleep-inducing Mindful Dreams massage that combined mindful breathing and scalp massage for ultimate relaxation.
After following this calming routine, I returned to my room to find turndown service, not only for myself but also for my dog, creating a serene environment for a restful night’s sleep.
Upon returning to my room at Grace Farms, I am greeted by a soothing sight – packets and sachets of their exquisite tea arrayed before me. The room is bathed in a gentle, dimmable light that extends seamlessly from the ceiling down to the shower overhead, creating a serene and sleep-friendly ambiance. I settle in for the night, activating my Loftie alarm clock and positioning my trusty white noise machine strategically near the door. After a brief meditation session, I drift off to sleep.
Throughout the night, I am intermittently roused by the faint sounds of activity outside my room – the quiet shuffle of housekeeping carts and the occasional closing of nearby doors. Surprisingly, despite the bustling Congress Street just outside my window, the triple-pane glass effectively shields me from the urban clamor. DeLois explains that this sound insulation is a result of the advanced window design, ensuring a tranquil environment once the windows are shut and secured.
While not the most restful night’s sleep I’ve ever experienced, it surpasses my typical hotel stays and even my own home slumbers. The following morning, I find myself rebooking a stay at the Longfellow Hotel for my next visit to the area, a testament to the overall quality of my restful experience there.
The Longfellow Hotel’s innovative triple-pane windows serve as a barrier against street noise, enhancing guests’ sleep quality. Considerations for improving sleep extend beyond luxury accommodations and travel, with experts recommending various adjustments for a more restful night’s sleep at home:
1. Create a conducive sleep environment by ensuring darkness, coolness, and quietness in your bedroom.
2. Minimize exposure to blue light, especially from screens, in the hour leading up to bedtime to promote melatonin production.
3. Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine to regulate your body’s internal clock and enhance sleep quality.
4. Listen to your body to determine the optimal amount of rest you need, rather than fixating on a set number of hours.
5. Discover your unique chronotype, or body clock, to tailor your sleep schedule accordingly for maximum rejuvenation.
By implementing these sleep-friendly practices, whether at a hotel or in your own home, you can cultivate an environment conducive to restorative and rejuvenating sleep.
According to Pitts, it’s important to identify your chronotype, adjust your lifestyle accordingly, and pay attention to ambient noise. For a gentle wake-up experience, consider using an alarm clock like Loftie, which features ambient sound options and a gradual waking mechanism. If you live in a noisy area or are sensitive to outside sounds, white noise machines like the Dohm, which produces natural white noise using a fan, can be beneficial. Pitts also suggests incorporating sleep-supporting supplements such as magnesium, chamomile tea, and essential oils like lavender and jasmine. Remember, while gadgets and supplements can help, creating the right sleep environment and maintaining a positive mindset are key to improving your sleep quality. Pitts emphasizes that improving sleep doesn’t always require purchasing new products and that mindset plays a crucial role.
