It comes as no surprise that travelers worldwide rank the quality of their sleep as an important factor in choosing a hotel. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has upped the ante in the game of “bed wars” with the launch of a new custom bed and a wide variety of sleep programs and experiences at their hotels around the world. The brand conducted a survey of travelers across the US, Great Britain, Russia and China to help gain insights into what travelers crave while on the road.
“New research supports what our guests have told us – everyone has different sleep needs, but the desire for a good night’s rest is a universal passion,” said Chris Hunsberger, the brand’s executive vice president of product and innovation.
The Four Seasons Bed
A large majority of survey respondents (92%) expressed distinct preferences on the firmness of their mattress. The new Four Seasons Bed caters to that preference. The Simmons-designed mattress features a patented “GelTouch foam center” that controls heat absorption, while the hotel allows guests to choose three custom levels of firmness (signature, signature plush and signature firm). Many hotels further customize the sleep experience with a variety of pillows and bedside amenities.
Naturally, the bed will also be available for sale—via the hotel concierge or front desk.
Custom Sleep Experiences
Survey respondents also indicated that bedding was just one factor in creating their idea of a perfect night’s sleep. Noise levels, the ability to adjust temperature, the availability of fresh air, the need to create a completely dark environment at any time of day, and the inevitable jet lag play key roles that vary by nationality, gender and age.
“One of the interesting findings in the survey is that the younger the traveller, the more likely they are to have specific preferences, and to say so,” said Dana Kalczak, Four Seasons Vice President, Design.
Kalczak, who is also a trained architect and interior designer, notes that the development of every new Four Seasons hotel includes creation of an offsite model guest room early in the process, and every possible scenario is tested to anticipate guests’ every need.
“We lie on the bed to make sure it’s in the best position to enjoy views and watch tv; that there’s good light for reading; and that everything a guest might need is within easy reach,” she says. “Frankly, we are obsessed.”
Sleep Centric Hotels
Four Seasons is rolling out the bed program to hotels and resorts throughout the brand’s portfolio, but already has a number of programs in place that can help travelers sleep more soundly.
Here are a few of our favorites:
• Four Seasons Hotel Singapore offers lullabies for grown-ups. Each guest room contains a Deep Sleep 101 CD to give you a “crash course” in falling – and staying – asleep with calming ambient sounds and melodies.
• At Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, tropical fragrance will be sprayed at turndown, and includes scents like eucalyptus staigeriana (a local plant with similar calming properties to lavender) and patchouli.
• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea offers a pillow menu with five different types of pillows, customized to your sleeping position and firmness preference. The Resort also provides complimentary amenities such as relaxing yoga DVDs and calming bath salts.
