We kicked off the Art of Hospitality event with an enlightening session featuring sleep expert Hannah Shore from Silentnight, who captivated the audience with her knowledge on sleep science and its impact on guest experience.
Armed with a post-graduate degree in sleep medicine from Oxford University and has a master’s in sports science, Hannah shared her journey from studying athlete recovery to delving into sleep research.
Now, she’s committed to helping everyone sleep better, and her insights were incredibly valuable for those of us in the hospitality industry.
Hannah’s talk started with a glimpse into how Silentnight, one of the UK’s leading bed brands, prioritises quality sleep. With over 300 different tests conducted on their mattresses, Silentnight spares no detail in perfecting the ultimate sleep experience. It’s no wonder that they are recognised by about three-quarters of the UK population!
One shocking statistic Hannah shared was that a staggering 68% of people frequently don’t get a good night’s sleep. Silentnight is on a mission to change that, meticulously testing everything from mattress firmness to temperature regulation.
During our panel, I mentioned a complaint from one of my hotels—those infamous creaky floorboards! Hannah explained that even small disturbances like this can significantly impact guests’ sleep quality.
Fixing such issues is crucial for creating a restful environment, a key component of the guest experience.
We then discussed room amenities, such as blackout blinds, which are essential for guests dealing with jet lag. Most people sleep better in complete darkness, where melatonin levels are highest, so providing blackout options can really make a difference.
Additionally, temperature control is paramount. Silentnight believes in giving guests easy access to comfort, so Hannah suggested placing the thermostat or aircon control within reach from the bed or providing a remote control for easy adjustments is a smart move.
Hannah is also a big fan of using tech to aid sleep, like listening to white noise or sleep podcasts. However, she’s less enthusiastic about wearables like sleep monitors and watches, which she says aren’t particularly necessary for improving sleep.
Using Slido, an interactive question and answer tool, we got a feel for our audience’s sleep habits, and the results were eye-opening: 89% said they don’t get enough sleep, with 42% attributing it to work stress.
Hannah advised against reading emails before bed and suggested keeping a notebook on hand to declutter the mind before sleep.
Hannah’s session was a fantastic reminder of how crucial sleep is—not just for personal well-being but also as a central aspect of the guest experience.
As hoteliers, it’s our job to consider every detail that affects our guests’ comfort. Thanks to Hannah and Silentnight, we’re now even better equipped to do just that.
Silentnight continues to lead the industry, ensuring our guests get the restful sleep they deserve. It was a pleasure to learn from such an expert, and we can’t wait to implement some of her suggestions!
If you didn’t get chance to attend this autumn event, don’t worry we are hosting our third Art of Hospitality event in January, grab your tickets here https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thehospitalityheroltd/1247485
