How to have the Fairmont signature sleep experience at home

Among the many changes that 2020 has brought to everyday life, sleeplessness has been one of the more prevalent and unwelcome developments.  According to Neurology Today, the official news source of the American Academy of Neurologists, sleep disorders have been on the rise this year, a surge doctors are terming “COVID-somnia.”

For over 100 years, travelers have enjoyed catching up on their sleep with a stay at a Fairmont hotel.

“Luxury hoteliers such as Fairmont have long been aware that adequate sleep is vital to emotional regulation, immune system strength, and overall well-being,” said Sharon Cohen, Vice President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

“We look forward to welcoming guests back to our hotels for some restorative slumber as travel restrictions and local lockdowns are lifted. In the meantime, we know the difference a great night’s sleep can make, and so we encourage our guests, fans and followers to indulge in some stay-at-home versions of our signature sleep amenities and beddings that we use at our hotels.”

Create a bedtime ritual

Bedtime routines are not just for kids. A calming flow of rituals can work equally well for sending adults off to sleep.

“Turning off the devices to properly wind down before bed is an important signal for the body to prepare for shut-eye,” advises Montreal’s Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth housekeeping director, Marie-Hélène David.

Blue light from digital devices can trick the body into feelings of wakefulness. A report from Harvard University medical school recommends removing digital devices and televisions from home bedrooms for a more restful night.

• Select Fairmont hotels in North and Central America offer an exclusive in-room wellness program designed by Three Sages, an app that can also be used at home. With a backdrop of spectacular California vistas, guests are guided through restorative yoga, stretching, breath-work, mindfulness and sleep practices.

• A warm shower or bath helps regulate the body’s temperature and supports natural circadian rhythms. For an extra touch of luxury, the Fairmont Le Labo Rose 31 amenities can be purchased for home use.

• “It’s important to clear the mind of worries and pressures before sleep,” says Irma Tuyub, director of housekeeping at Fairmont Mayakoba. “We give our guests tiny worry-keeper dolls, a beloved Mayan tradition for encouraging a peaceful night.” Meditation can also help to release anxious thoughts, along with jotting down thoughts in a bedside journal.

Engage all five senses

“At Fairmont, our guestroom and sleep experience is designed to appeal to all the senses, for a rich and holistic experience of well-being,” says Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows director of housekeeping, Dayna Chacon. An elegant and well-ordered room filled with little luxuries such as fresh flowers, a carafe of filtered water, and soft music can go a long way to preparing one’s mindset for a great night of sleep.

Smell

Calming scents such as lavender have been found to reduce blood pressure and encourage sleepiness. At Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, the hotel has their own tailor-made signature Peace Aroma scent available as a diffuser set.  Executive housekeeper Isabel Xie advises, “The fragrance creates a lovely experience, perfect for inspiring sweet dreams.”

Sound

Fairmont Vancouver Airport cancels out distracting noise with Sound Therapy, a bedside system with sound modes such as meditation, ocean, and guided breath. “The sound of slow beats or low-volume music can be comforting,” says Gisela Joseph, executive housekeeper at Fairmont Jakarta. “For those who need total quiet to sleep, a good set of ear plugs can be a saving grace.”

Sight

The visual cue of an elegantly made bed can turn thoughts toward sleep, suggests Nicole Stewart, director of housekeeping at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York. “Arrange the bedding so it looks as cozy and inviting as it would at a hotel.” Blackout curtains support a deep sleep, while Fairmont Vancouver Airport offers Color Light Therapy to simulate the body’s circadian wavelengths, encouraging biological responses that improve sleep, energy, and mood.

Touch

Loosening the muscles not only relaxes the body for sleep, it can lead to a more limber morning. Aubrey Ada, director of rooms at Fairmont Makati suggests, “Create a massage oil by diluting lavender or sandalwood oil with a carrier oil such as olive or mineral oil. The aromatic mixture can be gently kneaded into areas that are overworked during the day, such as the back, neck and soles of feet.”

Taste

Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties, while a small bite of protein, dairy and even a taste of chocolate can boost serotonin and melatonin levels to encourage sleep. At Fairmont Pacific Rim, director of housekeeping Mahmoud Mohamed recommends tucking in with a cup of Lot 35 Egyptian Chamomile tea or a frothy steamed milk alongside a house-baked chocolate chip cookie.

Refresh your room

One of the great pleasures of staying at a Fairmont hotel is the assurance of a perfectly clean and beautifully arranged room, with crisp sheets, spotless bathrooms and not a speck of dust. At home, it might take a little more effort to keep rooms as orderly and pristine as our professional teams do at our luxury hotels, but during this time of pandemic, sleeping in clean, healthy surroundings is more important than ever.

Keep it fresh

Hotel guests are usually out and about during the day, getting exposure to sunshine, which supports natural circadian rhythms. At home, sun and outdoor air are equally important. “Let sunlight into your room and open doors and windows to circulate air,” says Janice Allman, executive housekeeper at Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados.

Keep it clean

Gisela Joseph at Fairmont Jakarta believes an organized room, free of clutter, dust mites and sinus-irritating allergens, can make sleep sweeter. “Even a very humble bedroom can feel serene and luxurious,” says Gisela. “Make time to disinfect, mop, sanitize linens, and use a UV vacuum to fight germs and viruses.”

Keep it cool

“In our experience, the ideal room temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit,” advises Akshay Kamboj, director of housekeeping at Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver. If that feels too cool, swap out linens with cozy flannel sheets or a weighted blanket to calm the nervous system.

Invest in your nest to get the Fairmont signature sleep experience

“Guests of Fairmont often say we offer the most comfortable beds in the world,” says Lily Li, rooms manager, Fairmont Peace Hotel. “We assure them they can have the same perfect sleep experience at home.”

And it’s not just guests that fall in love with Fairmont beds. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac director of housekeeping, Brian O’Flaherty, was so enamored by the Fairmont signature sleep experience, like so many other Fairmont colleagues, that he purchased the mattress, pillows and duvet for his home. All are available for online purchase and home delivery.

Fairmont partners with Stearns & Foster and Sealy Posturepedic for mattresses that deliver opulent comfort. It’s important to choose a mattress with the appropriate firmness for your body type and sleep style,” says Fairmont Singapore director of housekeeping, Terry Wu. “A mattress that is too soft can lead to backaches.”

“The best sleep starts by slipping into sheets fit for royalty,” says Ian Fraser, assistant director of rooms at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The Fairmont collection features luxuriously soft 100% cotton linens, while the Comphy Spa collection features 600 thread count high-performance microfibre.

While it’s common to switch between heavier and lighter weight blankets as the seasons change, Fairmont’s high-quality lightweight duvet is designed to add the right amount of warmth year-round. Duvets and pillows are designed with the richness of down and feathers as well as hypoallergenic synthetic choices.

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