Monday, Jul. 01, 2002
The Best Rest
By Heather Won Tesoriero
In the past, guests wanted a bit of a departure from home," says Charlotte St. Martin, executive vice president of marketing for Loews Hotels. "Now people want their stay to be more like home." And apparently what people want most is to sleep as well as they do in their own beds. Thus many luxury hotels, such as Loews' Regency Hotel in New York City (below), are rolling out a variety of overnight amenities, such as plush, custom-designed beds, white-noise machines, sleep handbooks, warm milk and cookies, and even pillow menus. The Four Seasons Hotel offers guests five pillow varieties, including buckwheat, feather and hypoallergenic.
New York's Soho Grand and Tribeca Grand hotels recently launched a Red Eye Relief package for "weary travelers in need of a little extra T.L.C." Upon request, rooms are made rest ready, with shades drawn, bed turned down and Glaceau vitamin water, Visine, earplugs and eye mask stationed within easy reach.
New York's Hotel Benjamin employs a sleep concierge whom guests can call for sleep advice. The Benjamin guarantees a perfect night's sleep, or guests receive a free night's stay, which no doubt makes visitors rest easier.
--By Heather Won Tesoriero