Episode 520: Season 11 Premiere: Sleepcations and Sleep Retreats

[00:00:13] Thanks so much for tuning in to Dreas Point of View. I am your hostess, Dreas. Welcome to Season 11. I made it. Didn't think I'd get past Season 5, but here I am. Make sure that you are following the show on the socials. You can find me at Dreas Point of View on IG, Facebook, Threads, and you can find me at Dreapoint on X and Spill.

[00:00:40] So, I wanted to talk about the importance of sleep and how so many people that I talk to do not get enough of it. Now, I strongly believe in naps. I take one every day.

[00:00:59] And I don't have regular sleep. Like, I sleep at different times. I wake up at different times. And I know research shows that you should try and get your seven or eight hours. But I don't need much sleep. And somehow I make it. I do take vitamins. I don't know. But I still have a lot of energy.

[00:01:17] But I did read up on something on HuffPost.com that talked about sleepcations and how a lot of Americans are choosing to take one. So, I thought I would look into that and thought it would be a great episode to come back with.

[00:01:36] So, it's basically a vacation where you get good nights of sleep. I doubt I would do it since I get plenty of sleep at home and away.

[00:01:52] But maybe some of you would be interested in this. It's where you can go, say, if you want to have a staycation. Get a hotel in your own city that has a special sleep package with enhanced ways of getting good sleep.

[00:02:13] Something like a fancy bed. Or sleep enhancing supplements. Or even a sound machine.

[00:02:23] They even have sleep retreats, which I will talk about later. And they're supposed to help your mental health, help you feel refreshed and relaxed.

[00:02:35] According to Sky Scammers or Sky Scanners, 2024 Travel Trends Report, nearly half of American travelers said that they are more mindful about sleep now compared to years ago.

[00:02:52] It showed that sleeping was in the top of their list of their vacations as opposed to nightlife or shopping.

[00:03:05] Which is interesting. I know when I go on vacation, sleep is up there, but it's not the first. It's not a priority for me.

[00:03:12] I know I'm going to get sleep, but I figure I'm on vacation. I want to see things or shop.

[00:03:19] So, there are luxury hotels that do have certain beds.

[00:03:27] And they also have more budget-friendly options.

[00:03:32] Such as in-room meditation apps or even sleep sounds.

[00:03:37] For example, the Malibu Beach Inn in Southern California has designated sleep suites.

[00:03:44] And the Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii has sleep suites as well.

[00:03:52] Actually, they have Sweet Dreams massage treatments that will give you a good night's rest.

[00:03:59] Now, it usually, sleepcations entail staying in places that are soundproof to have blackout curtains, aromatherapy products, and bedtime rituals.

[00:04:17] Some even offer non-alcoholic mocktails and herbal teas to satin eye masks.

[00:04:27] Most people don't get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep per night, says Danielle Desir Corbett, who is a host of the Thought Card podcast.

[00:04:40] She says that this sleep debt can have serious health implications.

[00:04:46] And that's very interesting.

[00:04:48] What are some of the benefits of this sleep tourism or sleepcation?

[00:04:56] Well, you are escaping that fast-paced lifestyle.

[00:05:01] You're also relaxing your mind and body.

[00:05:04] It's also a form of self-care.

[00:05:08] You know, many people go on vacation.

[00:05:10] We plan everything down to the minute, like myself.

[00:05:15] I love a good itinerary.

[00:05:17] And so having a sleepcation is more intentional, where you prioritize yourself and your sleep.

[00:05:27] I'm trying to imagine me spending money just to go somewhere and sleep.

[00:05:34] I know some people who would be interested in that.

[00:05:37] If you are sleeping poorly, it can break that cycle and help you get better sleep going forward, says Dave Grossman, who's a travel expert of Miles Talk.

[00:05:54] Sleepcations can be expensive or low-cost.

[00:06:00] You might even learn something when you go home.

[00:06:03] Now, I do have some hotels that I looked up that are geared around sleepcations.

[00:06:15] And I got that list from timeout.com.

[00:06:22] And it says that approximately 50 to 7 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder.

[00:06:30] And that's pretty alarming.

[00:06:32] I definitely believe it.

[00:06:33] Like every other person I talk to has issues with sleep.

[00:06:38] So I thought I would give you some ideas of places to go for a sleep retreat.

[00:06:47] The top five sleep retreats in the United States.

[00:06:52] The first one is in Lanai City, Hawaii, called the Sensi or Sensai Lanai.

[00:07:01] It's a four seasons resort.

[00:07:03] So you know that's going to cost you a pretty penny.

[00:07:07] It has a rest and recovery package.

[00:07:11] It's a five-night retreat.

[00:07:13] You'll fill out a questionnaire before you go.

[00:07:16] You will track your sleep.

[00:07:18] And your itinerary will be based on your sleep goals.

[00:07:23] They also have two 90-minute spa treatments.

[00:07:29] As well as forest bathing.

[00:07:32] And a session at the Lanai Adventure Park.

[00:07:36] Sounds very nice.

[00:07:38] I can only imagine the cost of that.

[00:07:41] The second one is Mountain Shadows Resorts in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

[00:07:46] This is a desert oasis.

[00:07:49] With views of Camelback Mountain, you would have to book the Moon and Stars Sleep Package to get an assortment of amenities,

[00:07:59] including a golden moon milk at bedtime, which is packed with anti-inflammatory turmeric.

[00:08:10] Guests will also get a 90-day sleep journal and a special aromatherapy sleep mist, which includes lavender.

[00:08:24] Sounds nice.

[00:08:26] Sounds nice.

[00:08:26] The third top sleep retreat, believe it or not, is in New York at the Smith Tribeca.

[00:08:32] This package is the Sleep More.

[00:08:40] And guests enjoy breakfast in bed, including Belgian waffles and pancakes.

[00:08:49] It also offers a magnesium sleep spray, your choice of pillows, and a special tea.

[00:09:00] They also have a mysterious bookshop where you can pick up some interesting reading.

[00:09:07] You would have to call to book this package because it's not listed online.

[00:09:13] You would mention the Sleep More at Smith.

[00:09:17] The fourth sleep retreat is also in Arizona.

[00:09:22] It's in Morristown, Arizona, called Castle Hot Springs.

[00:09:26] This has over 1,000 desert anchors.

[00:09:33] It's a luxury, all-inclusive resort.

[00:09:36] Well, apparently this year it's not offering a spa, I believe, but two sleep retreats to help guests practice.

[00:09:46] They have three night retreats in February and June that are led by an author, Rebecca Robbins.

[00:09:57] Travelers will also have the opportunity to partake in sleep-centric activities.

[00:10:03] And the fifth one is local for me.

[00:10:07] It's the Hotel Figueroa.

[00:10:09] I never knew this.

[00:10:10] It's in downtown Los Angeles.

[00:10:13] And that package is called the Rest and Recovery Suite, which has the most cutting-edge sleep and wellness brands, custom pillows, and an AI-powered sleep mattress, along with air purifiers and earplugs.

[00:10:32] Travelers can book the Slumber in Style package to get a limited edition sleep kit, which includes a Vegas nerve oil.

[00:10:46] Pretty interesting, I think.

[00:10:49] So, if you are interested in a sleep retreat or a sleepcation, hopefully this information was of help to you.

[00:11:00] It's good to be back, and I thank you for listening.

[00:11:03] I hope that you will catch up on my episodes at thedreahspointofview.com, as well as subscribe to my free newsletter, which comes out on Saturdays.

[00:11:12] It gives you information about upcoming events, upcoming episodes, and podcasts I'm listening to.

[00:11:20] And you can subscribe to that at dreahspointofview.substack.com.

[00:11:25] As always, I thank you for listening.

[00:11:27] This has been Dreahs.