Sleep Dreams
Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep. But it’s not always easy with work stress, too much screen time before bed, a noisy household — or all of the above. Though it might sound strange, sometimes the best way to get some shuteye is by getting away, literally.
More and more travelers are participating in “sleep tourism,” or taking vacations with the goal of getting good sleep. To accommodate these travelers, an increasing number of hotels and resorts are offering custom sleep retreats and luxurious sleep suites. Here are a few of our favorites.
NIMMO BAY WILDERNESS RESORT
Tranquility meets luxury at Nimmo Bay, a family-owned resort in the heart of Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. Located at the coastline along the foothills of Mt. Stephens, Nimmo Bay is a remote oasis only available by seaplane or helicopter. Where a glacier-fed waterfall provides drinking water, spacious cottages look out over the calm waters of Nimmo Bay, and wine is best enjoyed in the hot tub or at cozy fire pits.
Accommodations here are designed to minimize disturbances. Fall asleep to soothing sounds of rustling leaves and cascading waterfalls on soft, breathable European linens custom designed for Nimmo Bay by Vancouver-based fiber goods company Sömn Home. During the day, reconnect body and mind through a variety of holistic wellness activities, such as therapeutic massage treatments and guided meditation sessions. Enjoy nutrient-rich culinary offerings prepared with locally raised lean protein, leafy greens, and herbal teas, which further promote rejuvenative sleep.
THE SPRINGS RESORT
For thousands of years, Native Americans in Colorado have understood the healing benefits of mineral-rich hot springs. Geothermal waters contain potassium, magnesium, zinc, and many other elements that promote healthy skin, increase energy, lower blood pressure, strengthen bones, and more. Hot springs were sacred to the Ute people, who called them Pagosah, or “healing waters,” for their ability to not only relieve sore muscles but restore balance to one’s soul.
The Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs has combined these proven hydrothermal practices with modern scientific research to develop an innovative sleep program for guests. Their Deep Sleep Journey utilizes hot springs, yoga, aromatherapy, breathwork, and progressive muscle relaxation rituals to guide the nervous system into a state of natural rest. Pair these practices with a full offering of spa treatments — from deep tissue massages to neuro-muscular therapies to detoxifying herbal wraps — and the result is powerful, restorative sleep.
AMAN NEW YORK
When Swiss luxury brand Aman opened their first East Coast hotel in Manhattan’s historic Crown Building in 2023, it came with their biggest spa yet: a 25,000-square-foot facility that has become Aman’s flagship wellness center in the western hemisphere. Here, a variety of specialist therapies and cutting-edge technologies — including cryotherapy treatment, infrared therapy, mindfulness training, heated swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, rain showers and cold plunge — plus a team of wellness experts are designed to help guests improve their quality of sleep.
Every guest at Aman New York has access to a complimentary 30-minute consultation with a wellness coach to address individual health goals. To aid sleep, Aman specialists begin with a session using the Brain Gauge Pro, a cognitive assessment tool that measures brain conditions by testing sensory perceptions. Additional treatments, such as sound healing and calming amethyst powder massage, help calm the mind and stimulate greater sleep.
aman.com/resorts/aman-new-york
LAS ALCOBAS
A five-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Mexico City’s upscale Polanco neighborhood, Las Alcobas offers the warmth and comfort of a private home through its 35 exclusive alcobas, or alcoves. Specialty programs at Las Alcobas’ Aurora Spa are conducive to a good night’s sleep. Their Herbalario Mexico program is a curated herbal treatment that integrates handblended herbal bags (normally used in Aurora’s in-room therapeutic bath program) with traditional Mexican Sobada tissue massage and Indian Abyanga massage. Heated botanicals, including frankincense, eucalyptus, camphor, cinnamon, and juniper oil, are placed on the body to increase circulation and revitalize the nervous system.
Other Mayan-inspired remedies also repair the body and provide relief. A special scrub and wrap uses mud from the Chicxulub crater in Yucatan (created by the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs). These minerals from the stars assist in decreasing joint inflammation and improving skin and the immune system. Afterward, hot lava shell massage and warm tangerine oil create the perfection potion for rest.
SIX SENSES IBIZA
The Six Senses resort brand has long been known for its commitment to sustainable tourism, with locations in beautiful destinations that allow visitors to reconnect with nature while existing in harmony with the local environment. At Six Senses Ibiza in Spain, guests can discover the benefits of restorative sleep achieved through a comprehensive sleep program that includes a personalized wellness screening, meditation, yoga nidra (yoga sleep), pranayama (breathwork), cryotherapy sessions, nutritional consultation, and sleep tracking. All of it designed to boost mood, strengthen immune systems, and improve sleep patterns and energy levels.
Get the blood flowing with a state-of-the-art fitness center then unwind in the hammam, or Turkish bath. Visit Six Senses Ibiza’s organic gardens for natural ingredients and attend an alchemy workshop for the chance to make your own aromatherapy scrubs and potions. Enjoy meaningful spiritual experiences and much-needed rest at more than 130 different accommodations, from pool suites to mansions to beachfront caves.