On the occasion of World Sleep Day, we were treated to the ultimate luxury experience at one of the world’s most renowned palaces: the Four Seasons Georges V.
Invited to a pyjama party in the penthouse suite of the Four Seasons Georges V, we wore our best evening pyjamas, tasted sublime pastries, enjoyed creative cocktails and, above all, tried out the new beds.
In fact, Four Seasons has taken the crazy gamble of revolutionizing the hotel industry once again by offering the first customizable sleep experience.
The world’s leading luxury hotel now offers its guests a new bed to meet growing demand for personalization.
New Ipsos survey of travellers for Four Seasons reveals secrets to a good night’s sleep
Chats with Four Seasons experts were even organized on Twitter on March 13 and 14 to mark World Sleep Day (March 14).
Four Seasons Magazine launches a new online “Signature Sleep” platform packed with sleep information and tips for better sleep
The recent study revealed that we all have different ideas of what a good night’s sleep is, and different needs in this area. At the same time, respondents expressed a growing desire for a personalized sleep environment. So the 92% of respondents who expressed a preference for the firmness of a bed will be delighted to hear the good news…
With the arrival of the new Four Seasons Bed, guests are offered a new sleep experience. The first fully customizable bed, it allows travelers to choose the conditions in which they wish to sleep during their stay at Four Seasons. Thanks to an innovative mattress system developed by Four Seasons in partnership with bedding manufacturer Simmons, it only takes a few minutes to customize a bed to suit individual preferences. Three levels of firmness will also be offered, in addition to different types of pillow, while both sides of the bed will be fitted out to guarantee made-to-measure comfort.
“Since our beginnings in the hotel business over 50 years ago, we have placed particular importance on the sleep conditions offered to our guests, and the personalized service for which Four Seasons is renowned,” explains Chris Hunsberger, Four Seasons Vice President of Product and Innovation. “This study confirms what our guests had already taught us – no two people have the same sleep needs, but everyone wants to sleep well. That’s why we wanted to promote the most restful sleep possible during a stay in our hotels.”
The Canadian hotel group is renowned for the quality of its beds, which, although never advertised, have been purchased by thousands of people who want to sleep well both at home and in the group’s establishments. This new personalized sleep experience is a testament to Four Seasons’ creativity and ability to innovate.
Dr. Carol Ash, Director of Sleep Medicine at Meridian Health, concurs with Four Seasons on the importance of a good night’s rest:
“While a good night’s rest can improve productivity on a business trip and enhance vacation enjoyment, sleeping between 7 and 9 hours a night, even on the move, is beneficial in other ways too,” notes Dr. Ash. “Sleep helps restore brain cells, and is essential for learning and strengthening our memory. It’s important for maintaining judgment, orienting ourselves in space, optimizing reaction times and maintaining emotional balance. A lack of sleep affects our ability to manage stress and human relationships.”
The sleep study in brief
The study, carried out by Ipsos* at the end of 2013 among travelers from the USA, Great Britain, Russia and China who had stayed in a hotel, helped us to understand what promotes good sleep on the move. Here’s a look at some of the remarks most often made:
92% of those questioned expressed a preference for mattress firmness. Only 7% had no opinion on the subject. Of the 92%, 50% said they preferred medium comfort, 28% firm comfort, while 14% said they liked a soft mattress.
30% said they had asked to change rooms or made other arrangements – even sleeping on the floor or in the bathtub! – when their hotel bed didn’t suit them. Travelers under the age of 35 are the most likely to express their opinions, and to increasingly request personalized bedding.
44% said they would like to make their bed at home in the same way it’s made at the hotel, and 31% wanted to buy the bed or bed linen – a wish that Four Seasons can grant on request.
Pre-bedtime rituals also differ according to nationality. Russians and Chinese, for example, like to take a bath or shower before going to sleep, while the British like to get into bed with a good book, and half the Americans surveyed want to watch TV before falling into the arms of Morpheus.
In the list of products appreciated at bedtime, bath salts and oils top the list (23%), followed by room fragrances (22%) and herbal teas (21%). In addition, respondents particularly appreciate having electrical outlets for their electronic devices and telephones (56%) next to the bed, as well as a switch to close window blinds remotely (13%). Younger travelers especially want an iPod docking station.
And what’s the one thing that almost everyone agrees on? Being able to sleep on the same side of the bed as at home (72%)!
A good bed is a start… but it’s not the whole story
Those surveyed also pointed out that the bed was only one of the factors facilitating restful rest. Ambient noise, temperature control, room ventilation, the ability to plunge into darkness at any time of day, not to mention jet lag, all influence a good night’s sleep, in proportions that depend on nationality, gender and age.
“Through this study, we learned with interest that the younger the traveler, the more particular preferences they had, which they didn’t hesitate to express,” says Dana Kalczak, Four Seasons Vice President of Design. “So, to make sure we don’t forget to take them into account when we create a new hotel or review our existing establishments, we’ve drawn up a detailed checklist, which mentions, among other things, the ideal placement of the headboard, which intuitive technologies to favor, the importance of silent light switches, or the installation of airtight doors that prevent light and noise from common areas from disturbing the occupants of a room.”
Ms. Kalczak, who is also an interior designer, explains that for every new Four Seasons establishment, a showroom is created at a very early stage to consider all possible scenarios and anticipate customer needs.
“We lie on the bed to make sure it’s in the best position to enjoy the view, watch TV, read with sufficient light, and have everything we might need within easy reach,” she explains. “To be honest, we’re obsessive.”
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