‘Do not disturb’ takes on extra meaning

Housekeeping teams naturally strive to be as discreet and unobtrusive as possible – not always easy when the required tasks and necessary equipment can create noise without a word being said.

Now a growing trend – sleep tourism – is likely to see more cleaners becoming experts at ’hush hush’ work. For many years guests seeking a refresh and hopefully a silent night have headed to country house hotels. Traditionally, city breaks might offer a comfortable bed and immaculate linen, but noise entering via corridors and through windows overlooking busy streets was hard to block out.

However, with an increasing focus on wellness and sleep-focused stays, even properties in cities ‘that never sleep’ are looking at a market that has rocketed since the pandemic. No TVs or other distractions in guest rooms (other than wi-fi), not even windows in the case of Zedwell, the London Trocadero hotel close to Piccadilly Circus. Here, rooms are called ‘cocoons’, with doors, walls and floors soundproofed with recyclable material. Solid oak beds have Hypnos mattresses and are fitted with fine, soft Egyptian cotton bed linen. Top end hotels were among the first to recognise sleep tourism. Belmond’s Cadogan Hotel in London introduced a sleep concierge service which includes the likes of meditation tapes encouraging sleep and blanket and pillow ‘menus’. Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair recently launched Forte Winks. It’s built around a two-night stay for those seeking ‘serene sleep’ and includes a silk sleepover kit from YOLKE and a cashmere-soft lavender-infused sleep mask from Masters of Mayfair.

Opening next year will be Six Senses London, following an amazing transformation of the former Art Deco Whiteleys department store in Bayswater. With 110 guest rooms and suites and 14 branded residences, wellness will be at its core. No doubt Six Senses will want guests to enjoy their stunning spa and marvel at their surroundings during waking hours, but restful sleep will be high on the agenda. Quiet, please!