Summary: The Westin Washington D.C. Downtown has partnered with clinical psychologist Whitney Roban, PhD, to launch a sleep-enhancing program aimed at helping guests overcome the “first-night effect”—a phenomenon where travelers struggle to sleep in unfamiliar environments.
Key Takeaways:
- “First-Night Effect” in Travel: Many travelers experience sleep disturbances due to hypervigilance in unfamiliar environments, which affects slow-wave sleep. The Westin’s new program addresses this issue.
- Collaboration for Sleep Wellness: The Westin Washington D.C. Downtown has partnered with sleep psychologist Whitney Roban to develop a sleep-enhancing program to support guest wellness.
- Sleep Oasis Package: The program includes a Sleep Oasis Package featuring items like a sound machine, earplugs, aromatherapy shower steamers, a sleep mask, and Sleep Well Tea Blends to help guests achieve a restful sleep.
The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown is collaborating with clinical psychologist Whitney Roban, PhD, to launch a new sleep-enhancing program designed to support the wellness routines of its guests, specifically those who experience the “first-night effect” when traveling to unfamiliar environments.
Research from Brown University has shown that when individuals travel to unfamiliar environments, such as hotel rooms, one-half of the brain enters into a hypervigilant state. This increased alertness disrupts the natural sleep cycle, particularly impacting slow wave sleep.
Roban has identified strategies to mitigate this effect, ensuring guests enjoy a restful night’s sleep from the moment they arrive.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Dr Whitney Roban to address the challenges travelers face with the first-night effect,” said Kori Johnson, general manager of The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown, in a release. “Her expertise in sleep psychology has been instrumental in developing a signature experience that enhances the sleep quality of our guests, and each of our associates have been trained by Dr Roban on the topic of sleep.”
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the hotel’s commitment to providing an unparalleled guest experience focused on rejuvenation and well-being. The first iteration of this new program includes a Sleep Oasis Package designed by Roban, with a permanent bookable Sleep Oasis guest room type to follow.
Roban’s recommendations for the Sleep Oasis package include:
- Hushh Compact Sound Machine,
- Happy Ears earplugs,
- The Herbal Zen aromatherapy shower steamers,
- a Nodpod sleep mask,
- and Westin Sleep Well Tea Blends and Tea service.
These enhancements are tailored to align with Roban’s research, offering guests a comprehensive solution to combat the first-night effect and promote a deep, rejuvenating sleep experience.
The introduction of this offering coincides with the recent launch of the brand’s next-generation Heavenly Bed, which is currently rolling out across every Westin Hotels & Resorts guest room and suite, and is now available at The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown.
Many travelers are now considering a restorative night’s sleep as a pivotal part of their overall travel experience. This new prioritization in sleep quality has individuals seeking out new ways to optimize their sleep experience while traveling.
“Our goal is to empower guests to prioritize their sleep and overall well-being while traveling,” says Roban, in a release. “By integrating evidence-based strategies and personalized amenities, we aim to create an environment where guests can unwind, relax, and achieve restorative sleep throughout their stay.”
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