Give the Gift of a Great Night’s Sleep

For cottage owners, it’s important to ensure their guests have a great night’s sleep – each and every night they stay. Many guests may travel long distances or even experience jetlag even before arriving at their holiday cottage, and that in itself, can impact a guest’s stay if they then struggle to get off to sleep.

Then, factor in things like allergies and sleeping position and it could spell a disrupted night’s sleep for the guest– or even a negative review. Studies have previously shown that as many as almost a third of the UK population suffer with sleepless nights and as many as 30% are severely sleep deprived.

So how can cottage owners ensure their guests manage to settle into a restful slumber?

Bed Linen

Cotton really is the go-to material when it comes to bed linen. It’s natural so it’s inherently breathable, wicks moisture away from the skin during the night and it’s sumptuously soft so as to ensure the sleeper doesn’t experience any lumps and bumps during the night.

Thread count essentially means the number of threads woven into a square inch, both length-wise and width-wise. The finer, and thus more, threads you can weave into a square inch results in a fabric that is softer and feels a lot more luxurious. Anything above 200-thread count is classed as high-quality.

It’s also important, where possible, to determine where the cotton is manufactured. Egyptian cotton has long been a buzz-word to signify the-best-of-the-best – but it isn’t strictly true.

The cotton grown in Egypt’s Nile Delta region has a longer staple length, which essentially means it’s longer than other types of cotton and the end result is a cloth more durable and stronger than others. In recent years, however, the term has been thrown around and, more often than not, it’s not Egyptian cotton at all and is simply either sold or produced somewhere else in Egypt.

Filled Goods

Natural fillings such as feather and down have long been synonymous with a feeling of true quality in terms of duvets and pillows. They’re fantastic at retaining heat and air and will prevent a sleeper from overheating in warmer temperatures, plus they’re long-lasting so can be a cost-effective, long-term option.

Down is what is referred to as the fluffy underside of the bird. They are generally found under the spikier, tougher outside feathers which makes them perfect for use in duvets and pillows and with their helpful insulating properties, not much is needed to achieve a high tog rating, making the finished product light.

A downside of feather and down products is that they can exacerbate allergies. As feather and down age, they can become contaminated with dust mites.

It’s important to note, however, that when choosing any sort of feather and down products, do some research. Historically, some of the world’s supply of feather and down products were live-plucked from birds which is why it’s important to shop around and ensure the supplier or retailer holds corporate social responsibility standards related to animal welfare as well as stringent ethical sourcing conditions.

Synthetic Filled

An emerging trend is to choose synthetic filled products. These are typically hollowfibre, microfibre and, in recent months, some have even been created from recycled plastic bottles. These types of products are machine washable and most of them are hypoallergenic, which ensures they’re perfect for all guests.

Whilst not typically regarded as the most prestigious, a good quality synthetic filled duvet can last the same length of time as a natural filled product and still provide a luxury feel throughout its useful life.

Finishing Touches

To help your guests drift off, why not take restock your in-room dining options with some tasty snacks and treats designed to aid sleep?

Almonds, for example, are a source of melatonin which is the sleep-regulating hormone humans produce. Similarly, walnuts are one of the best melatonin-producing sources.

Cherry juice, also includes melatonin, so drinking it before bed can help prepare a person for sleep.

Studies have shown that those who drink chamomile tea had fewer symptoms of depression which is commonly linked to sleep problems. Plus, it contains apigenin which is an antioxidant that can promote sleepiness.

The thought of putting together a property designed with sleep in mind may seem daunting and time-consuming but employing a few simple changes will ensure your guests know you have considered their needs and requirements.

This article was written by one of our owner rewards partners, Vision Support services, a trusted global linen supplier.