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Sofitel has used the findings to create some new sleep rituals / photo: accor_sofitel
Global hotel brand Sofitel has partnered with researchers at Paris City University to understand better how people sleep when staying away from home.
The study, published in the Journal of Sleep Disorders and Therapy*, specifically looks at what conditions help travellers to minimise the ‘first-night effect’.
The first-night effect occurs when people go to bed in an unfamiliar place for the first time and their brains display heightened activity even after they close their eyes. Sofitel identified this as a widespread issue, given that 45 per cent of its guests only stayed for one night last year.
Special sleep room The sleep quality of 49 participants – based on duration, depth, regularity, interruptions, time to fall asleep and the wake-up phase – was first measured at home using a sensor under the mattress. Respiratory and cardiac rhythms were also recorded.
The same metrics were then observed for one night in a specially fitted-out room at Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe. The experience included a box spring mattress, topper, comforter and extensive selection of pillows – features that Sofitel has been offering in its MyBed experience since 2003.
On top of this, it took into account a host of other variables, including:
• a food menu with meals that avoid excess fat, salt, sugar and spice
• a pre-sleep meditation session and herbal tea
• an essential oil pillow spray
• a lip balm
• warm socks
• a silk sleep mask to provide total darkness
• calming white and pink noise generators during the process of falling asleep
• an optimal room temperature of 18˚C
• and silicone earplugs
Extra shut-eye On average, the participant’s sleep quality in the hotel room was 13.7 per cent higher than at home. They had 65 minutes extra shut-eye and 64 per cent fell asleep within 30 minutes.
Drawing on the study findings, Sofitel started phasing in new sleep rituals in its 120-plus hotels globally in July.
The offerings include light meals formulated to help guests fall asleep quicker, bespoke treatment protocols to improve sleep quality, relaxing playlists curated specially for the brand’s hotels and precise lighting and temperature adjustments.
* Alkobtawi, M et al. Enhancing First-Night Sleep Quality in Hotels: A Preliminary Study Utilizing Withings to Measure Sleep Patterns at Home and in Hotel Settings. Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy. Issue 1, 2024
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2024 issue 3
Editor's letter: At a crossroads
As the UK prepares to host this year's Global Wellness Summit, fresh research shows its wellness industry must address a number of issues if it's to maintain levels of unprecedented growth
Spa People: Charlotte Church
The Welsh singer talks about how growing up in the media spotlight has influenced The Dreaming, her healing retreat business
Spa People: Julia Bradbury
Leading a series of Walk Yourself Happy retreats based on her best-selling book and years of TV presenting
Spa People: Samantha Dunn
Shaking up the industry with her new, affordable DIY consultancy programme for entrepreneurs
News report: Big spenders
Finn Partners’ latest research shows how China’s high-net-worth women are redefining luxury travel
News report: Step back in time
Two new GWI reports analyse the growth of the global spa and hot springs markets over the past 10 to 15 years
Interview: Dillip Rajakarier
Following a 450 per cent increase in core revenues, Minor Hotels is planning 200 more properties. Megan Whitby sits down with its CEO
New opening: Kintsugi Space
Patrizia Bortolin talks to Lisa Starr about creating a transformative women-only sanctuary in Abu Dhabi
Research: To inform and inspire
The UK Spa Association has conducted its first survey of spa businesses in the country for 18 years. GM Bobby Griffiths unveils the numbers
Research: From wellness to wellbeing
A new study uncovers four wellness consumer market segments ripe for innovation. WELLSurvey co-author Kevin Kelly reveals the findings in a Spa Business exclusive
First person: To the source
Jane Kitchen takes to the sulphurous waters of Terme di Saturnia in Italy and shares details about its exciting upcoming sister site in Milan
Promotion: L'OCCITANE en Provence – the art of recovery
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New opening: Surrenne at The Emory
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First person: Playful wellness
A Stella McCartney facial and Tracy Anderson studio are just two USPs Megan Whitby finds at Surrenne
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Sofitel has used the findings to create some new sleep rituals / photo: accor_sofitel
Global hotel brand Sofitel has partnered with researchers at Paris City University to understand better how people sleep when staying away from home.
The study, published in the Journal of Sleep Disorders and Therapy*, specifically looks at what conditions help travellers to minimise the ‘first-night effect’.
The first-night effect occurs when people go to bed in an unfamiliar place for the first time and their brains display heightened activity even after they close their eyes. Sofitel identified this as a widespread issue, given that 45 per cent of its guests only stayed for one night last year.
Special sleep room The sleep quality of 49 participants – based on duration, depth, regularity, interruptions, time to fall asleep and the wake-up phase – was first measured at home using a sensor under the mattress. Respiratory and cardiac rhythms were also recorded.
The same metrics were then observed for one night in a specially fitted-out room at Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe. The experience included a box spring mattress, topper, comforter and extensive selection of pillows – features that Sofitel has been offering in its MyBed experience since 2003.
On top of this, it took into account a host of other variables, including:
• a food menu with meals that avoid excess fat, salt, sugar and spice
• a pre-sleep meditation session and herbal tea
• an essential oil pillow spray
• a lip balm
• warm socks
• a silk sleep mask to provide total darkness
• calming white and pink noise generators during the process of falling asleep
• an optimal room temperature of 18˚C
• and silicone earplugs
Extra shut-eye On average, the participant’s sleep quality in the hotel room was 13.7 per cent higher than at home. They had 65 minutes extra shut-eye and 64 per cent fell asleep within 30 minutes.
Drawing on the study findings, Sofitel started phasing in new sleep rituals in its 120-plus hotels globally in July.
The offerings include light meals formulated to help guests fall asleep quicker, bespoke treatment protocols to improve sleep quality, relaxing playlists curated specially for the brand’s hotels and precise lighting and temperature adjustments.
* Alkobtawi, M et al. Enhancing First-Night Sleep Quality in Hotels: A Preliminary Study Utilizing Withings to Measure Sleep Patterns at Home and in Hotel Settings. Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy. Issue 1, 2024
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2024 issue 3
Editor's letter: At a crossroads
As the UK prepares to host this year's Global Wellness Summit, fresh research shows its wellness industry must address a number of issues if it's to maintain levels of unprecedented growth
Spa People: Charlotte Church
The Welsh singer talks about how growing up in the media spotlight has influenced The Dreaming, her healing retreat business
Spa People: Julia Bradbury
Leading a series of Walk Yourself Happy retreats based on her best-selling book and years of TV presenting
Spa People: Samantha Dunn
Shaking up the industry with her new, affordable DIY consultancy programme for entrepreneurs
News report: Big spenders
Finn Partners’ latest research shows how China’s high-net-worth women are redefining luxury travel
News report: Step back in time
Two new GWI reports analyse the growth of the global spa and hot springs markets over the past 10 to 15 years
Interview: Dillip Rajakarier
Following a 450 per cent increase in core revenues, Minor Hotels is planning 200 more properties. Megan Whitby sits down with its CEO
New opening: Kintsugi Space
Patrizia Bortolin talks to Lisa Starr about creating a transformative women-only sanctuary in Abu Dhabi
Research: To inform and inspire
The UK Spa Association has conducted its first survey of spa businesses in the country for 18 years. GM Bobby Griffiths unveils the numbers
Research: From wellness to wellbeing
A new study uncovers four wellness consumer market segments ripe for innovation. WELLSurvey co-author Kevin Kelly reveals the findings in a Spa Business exclusive
First person: To the source
Jane Kitchen takes to the sulphurous waters of Terme di Saturnia in Italy and shares details about its exciting upcoming sister site in Milan
Promotion: L'OCCITANE en Provence – the art of recovery
With an approach to wellbeing that’s both holistic and grounded in science, the latest massage from L’OCCITANE en Provence promises to have a powerfully-beneficial effect on customers, both in the spa and at home
New opening: Surrenne at The Emory
The £15k memberships at this wellness club in London sold out in just weeks. Creator Inge Theron tells us why
First person: Playful wellness
A Stella McCartney facial and Tracy Anderson studio are just two USPs Megan Whitby finds at Surrenne
Promotion: TechnoAlpin – naturally cool design
TechnoAlpin’s snow technology is not only an effective way to introduce gentle cold therapy into the spa environment, it’s also a powerful biophilic design element that can bring the wonder of nature indoors
Promotion: Biologique Recherche – potent partnership
A new anti-senescence serum from Biologique Recherche offers transformative results and raises the bar in anti-ageing skincare when combined with its iconic collagen formula
Promotion: Comfort Zone – A longer life for skin
Created to combat the visible signs of ageing, Comfort Zone’s latest range revamp is based on the company’s pioneering research into cutaneous cellular longevity
Promotion: G.M. COLLIN – Clinical excellence in skincare
With laboratories based in Montreal, G.M. Collin’s highly researched derma-corrective treatments have been helping skincare professionals deliver exceptional and exclusive results worldwide for many decades. We talk to VP Myriam Sayer
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
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