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File This Under Things That Sound Like Dreams but Are Very Real: Sleep Vacations

Nneka M. Okona

May 8, 2018

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Photo: Unsplash/Kinga Cichewicz

I’m not exactly the world’s best sleeper. And when you bring travel into the picture, which I do pretty regularly—I'm a travel writer, after all—between an inability to sleep even a little on any plane and jet lag, the struggle starts to get very real.

But recently, a colleague of mine mentioned how she’s been known to escape to the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to sink into one of its beds and draw the blackout shades when she needs a sleep reset. It made me think: What if I booked a trip exclusively to catch up on zzz's?

There’s an entire sector of hotels that have implemented programs to help travelers sleep better.

Interestingly enough, there’s an entire sector of hotels that have implemented programs to help travelers sleep better. Among them is The Benjamin in New York City, which has enlisted the expertise of Rebecca Robbins, PhD, a sleep medicine consultant.

“Sleep plays an important role in our waking success, but unfortunately many of us don't get enough [of it] on a day-to-day basis,” she says. “As their sleep expert, I guided the design of the guest rooms during the renovations to align with what we know to be effective for optimal sleeping environments.”

Called the Rest & Renew program, elements, such as triple pane windows to block out the buzz of the city, blackout curtains to encourage shut eye, and neutral tones to put you immediately at ease, were all part of the reno. Earplugs, a pillow menu, and on-demand meditation at the touch of a button on the room phones are other shuteye perks.

Given all the healthy benefits a good night's sleep can offer—it can help improve your mental health, make you more productive, and even curb your sweet tooth—does this mean that while gorgeous waterfall pics or hotel pools with epic views might seem like the ultimate places to spend your PTO, the truly FOMO-inducing way to enjoy your vacay might just be in bed?

Click through to see a few other locales around the world specializing in all things supreme sleep.

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Six Senses Yao Noi: Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

Set in the serene Phang Nga Bay in Thailand, Six Senses Yao Noi is an ideal place to unplug and connect with nature. But if that’s not enough to help you relax, you can enroll in its sleep program where everything—from handmade, all-natural mattresses to organic pillows and cotton sheets to keep you cool all night long to sleep trackers and special PJs—is designed to help you get better zzz’s. As part of the program, you can even decide to work with a “sleep ambassador,” who’ll be on call during your stay and help you find a holistic approach to troubleshooting any issues that are keeping you up at night. Prices for the program start at $165 on top of room fees.

No matter where you lay your head, here are 5 ways to get a better night's rest. Plus, 7 ways to feng shui your bedroom if you want to create a cozy sleep sanctuary.