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A great night’s sleep trumps great sex according to more than half (51%) of the U.S. respondents to a new global survey of sleeping habits conducted by Westin Hotels & Resorts. Just how desperate are we for sleep? Well, 42% said they’d rather have a sleeping pill on their hotel pillow than the ubiquitous chocolate, and 62% take a relaxant, sleep or stress medication when traveling overnight.
Today, Westin Hotels unveils the results of a new global sleep study of more than 12,500 frequent travelers in ten countries – a follow-up to a sleep study the hotel giant conducted a decade ago when it launched its now iconic Heavenly Bed. When Westin debuted its revolutionary all-white bed, it spurred a global hotel bedding war that instantly made Earth tone polyester bedspreads and foam mattresses relics of old. Millions of travelers have benefited, and today 43% of frequent travelers say the quality of sleep on the road has gotten better, 25% of Road Warriors said they’d pay $100 more for a hotel with a great bed, and more than half would go out of their way to stay in a hotel with their favorite bed.
Forget the Boogie Man, it’s Mortgages, Marriage and Blackberry PDA’s That Keep Us Up at Night
While good beds on the road may be easier to find, sleep itself can be elusive and our round-the-clock work life, today’s economic woes and good old fashioned relationship problems often get in the way of a good night’s sleep. To wit:
- 56% of U.S. respondents said that with our 24/7 lifestyles, a good night’s sleep is more important than ever, though unfortunately 61% believe that today’s technology and constant connectivity impairs sleep. And our beloved Blackberry’s make for dreadful sleep companions.
- 60% said their PDAs have prevented them from getting shut eye.
- 58% of respondents said the biggest worry keeping them up at night is bills and paying the mortgage. Another key culprit that keeps people tossing and turning is problems with their spouse or partner (25%).
Honey, I have a headache said HE – the Sex vs. Sleep Gender Debate
In the 10 years since the Westin brand conducted its original sleep study, our desire for sleep has increased, and our sex lives have suffered. Today 51% of frequent travelers in the U.S. prefer a great night’s sleep to great sex, compared to just 31% who chose sleep over sex 10 years ago. Contrary to conventional wisdom, it’s men who are more likely than women to take sleep over sex, with the majority of women saying they prefer sex to snoozing. And Americans are not alone – in nine of 10 countries surveyed, sleep beats sex – only the Canadians prefer seduction vs. slumber.
Other key findings include:
Hotel Beds in a Post-Heavenly Bed Era
- More than half (57%) found that a great hotel bed provides a better sleep experience than at home, and more than one in four strongly agreed that sleeping in a hotel bed while on a business trip is a "luxury"—a significant change from 10 years ago, when 82% of travelers found something to complain about hotel beds.
- The majority of those surveyed like the hotel mattress (59%) and pillows (54%) better than their bed at home.
Sleep Woes Take Their Toll
- 57% of respondents say a bad night’s sleep has hurt their business performance.
- The most common side effects of a bad night’s sleep? Getting in a fight with a boss or co-worker (29%) or a spouse or partner (25%).
A Good Night’s Sleep is a Phone Call Away…
There is hope for the weary eyed. As a result of the study findings and Westin Hotel’s ongoing commitment to wellness, the brand has partnered with the National Sleep Foundation to launch a toll-free sleep hotline. Starting today, the National Sleep Foundation Hotline brought to you by Westin Hotels, (888) TIME-4-SLEEP, will be staffed by sleep professionals during the peak hours when people experience problems sleeping. These medically trained sleep professionals will help callers with common sleep problems and offer advice and healthy tips for getting a good night’s sleep. The sleep hotline lines will be open until September 15th, Monday through Friday, 6:00pm to 1:00am Eastern Standard Time.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
