10 Great Sleep Vacation Destinations

Ever get back from vacation and need another vacation? Wouldn’t it be nice to take a break and get away to a destination that actually lets you catch up on your Zzz’s? We thought so, which is why we’re throwing the @Zeo ‘Send Me To Sleep’ (Twitter) Sweepstakes - you and a friend could win $4,000 in flights and spending money to the destination of your choice.

Need some help on deciding where to go? That’s what this post is all about…

For the Active

We all know from experience that getting outside and being active can lead to a fantastic night of sleep. The sun, the fresh air, and not least important, the exercise, can leave your mind and body ready to pass out shortly after a good meal. Here are a few ideas for those who relish in the active vacation and resulting sound sleep:

• Hit the Slopes – What better than a dip in the hot tub and slipping into bed after a day on the slopes? And what better place to do that than where winter tourism started in the Alps? That is, of course, at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in Switzerland.
• Take a Hike – Or ride a horse or climb some rocks or… well, there are lots of options at the Westglow Resort and Spa in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
• Surf’s Up! – For those who prefer the tropical side of the active lifestyle, surfing may be the way to go at the Mal Pais Surf Camp & Resort in Costa Rica. Just be leery of the Sleep Stealers that lurk in the Jungle Bar…

The Slopes of St. Moritz, Above Badrutt's Palace

For the Restive

If you’re not one of those who likes to keep going full steam while on vacation, or you think that a good night’s sleep is just a massage away, skiing, hiking, and surfing may not be for you. Fortunately, there is an abundance of spas and resorts the world over that would cater to your every need, leaving you with the best environment to slip into a luxurious sleep every night. Here are a few ideas for good, relaxing sleep vacations:

• In the Old World – If you prefer the classic touch of the Mediterranean, relax in ease at Le Sirenuse, in Positano, Italy.
• On the other side of the World – At the Four Seasons Resort Bali you’re more likely to only find one season: summer. And when you wake up relaxed, you’ll think you’re still dreaming.

Positano, Italy - The Home of Le Sirenuse

Just Plain Unusual

If you’re looking for a get away that’s a bit more off the beaten path… well, maybe you could try out one of these lavishly unique destinations:

• Cool – Maybe this is taking it to extremes, but how about staying at an ice hotel? No, that’s not a typo for “a nice hotel”. You’re supposed to keep your sleep environment cool, so try out a bed made of ice (and a nice comfy sleeping bag rated for -30C) at the Hôtel de Glace in Quebec, Canada.
• Ancient – This one might make you wonder why we ever left the stone age… Reap the benefits of being a caveman or cavewoman when you stay at the Gamirasu Cave Hotel in the Cappadocia Region in Turkey… “Deliciously cool” dark and quiet, the caves are also equipped with heavy blankets and firm (limestone) beds.
• Under The Sea – We’ve heard that life here is better, but you’ll have to wait a year or two for this one to finish. Construction on the Hydropolis in Dubai is underway, and when it’s complete you won’t have to worry about traffic noise, city streets, or noisy wild animals. At most, you’re likely to get some ocean sounds, perhaps like what you might get on many relaxation sound machines meant to help you find a good night’s sleep.

Luxury Flintstone-Style Bedroom in Gamirasu

And For the Sleepy

And if you’re among the truly sleepy, The Sleep Doctor, Michael Breus, PhD, gave us a few more suggestions. Hotels and resorts are increasingly aware of the fact that their guests are coming in tired and in need of a better place to sleep. If you want experience dedicated to helping you find the best of rest, check in with a:

• Sleep Spa – Equipped with an onsite sleep lab, sleep spas, like the Canyon Ranch in Tuscon, Arizona, give people with crummy sleep a place to stay, learn about sleep, learn relaxation strategies, and take these ideas home with them after a night of real rest.
• Sleep Concierge – Last, but certainly not least, the Benjamin Hotel in NYC is complete with a custom made mattress, a pillow menu, a Sleep Guarantee, and a Sleep Concierge. What’s more, the Sleep Concierge also runs a twitter account to help you ‘perfect the art of sleep’. What more could you ask for?

A Cafe at the Canyon Ranch in Tuscon

It’s a New Year, and a great time to start putting sleep at the top of your agenda. Why not make a vacation of it?

Steve (ZQ: 100) is our resident Research Scientist, working to help people understand the science behind Zeo, as well as the science of sleep. He is one of the driving forces behind our Sleep Research Center

Tagged as: Sleep Vacation, Travel