Sleep Tourism Rises as Daylight Saving Time Approaches

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — With National Sleep Awareness Month coinciding with the spring forward into Daylight Saving Time in March, travel experts predict that the sleep tourism trend will help travelers reclaim lost hours of sleep.

“Losing an hour as we spring forward means a good night’s sleep is harder to come by. Traveling and being on the go brings even more disruption to your typical sleep routine,” said Connor Smith, Vice President of Masterbrand at IHG Hotels & Resorts.

In response, many hotels are emphasizing quality sleep experiences, and various IHG properties are introducing sleep-focused offerings. “At IHG, our properties are equipped with innovations that directly improve sleep quality — from jetlag-busting apps at InterContinental to sound sleep environments built into the DNA of avid hotels,” Smith explained.

Guests can now request their preferred pillow type at Holiday Inn Express hotels, allowing customization for the sleep experience they need. “We know a stellar sleep experience helps our guests feel their best and refreshed to take on the day,” Smith added.

InterContinental hotels are also enhancing their offerings with cutting-edge technology designed to combat jetlag. Guests traveling to and from these properties will have complimentary access to Timeshifter, an app that utilizes the latest research in sleep and circadian neuroscience to provide tailored recommendations based on individual circadian rhythms.

Destination hotels focused on relaxation are also making strides. These properties offer carefully designed rooms, including high-quality mattresses, a choice between firm or soft pillows, black-out roller shades, and sound-reducing features from headboards to hangers, ensuring guests enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

Another hotel brand has introduced wellness features like spa-like showers with plant-based amenities, filtered water hydration stations, and complimentary nightly tea service. Each room provides access to instructional videos for yoga, meditation, and stretching, while the sleep experience includes cooling natural fiber sheets, pillowtop mattresses, and adjustable lighting for a calming environment.

In San Francisco, California, a hotel caters to tired travelers with its “Leafy Dreams” offering, which provides a luxurious sleep kit that includes eucalyptus pillow spray and CBD-infused chocolates. For those looking to bring the sleep experience into their homes, another brand offers its signature beds and bedding for purchase.

As Daylight Saving Time approaches, Americans will lose an hour of sleep when clocks spring forward at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9. While many may dread this adjustment, some point out that the later sunset allows for more evening activities.

Daylight Saving Time has roots dating back to its implementation in 1918, but many Americans have voiced frustration over the biannual clock changes. Only two states refrain from participating in this practice.

As people prepare for the seasonal time shift, discussions surrounding making Daylight Saving Time year-round or abolishing it altogether continue. The vernal equinox, marking the official start of spring, occurs on March 20.

Despite its intent to extend evening daylight, the concept of Daylight Saving Time has faced opposition since its inception. Farmers argue that the time change disrupts their schedules, as cows are not ready for milking an hour earlier, hired hands’ schedules are altered, and harvest times are affected.

Nationwide daylight saving time was repealed in 1919, leading to a fragmented system where states could opt in or out until the Uniform Time Act was enacted in 1966.

As Americans adjust their routines, sleep tourism may provide the necessary reprieve from the effects of altering their clocks, enabling everyone to enjoy healthier sleep.