The Ultimate Escape: Why Your Next Vacation Should Be a Sleep

Vacations are so fun but can be anything but relaxing.

I often find myself not getting any rest when we are traveling, there is always somewhere to go and something to see. Another tour to go on, or a hike to conquer. Sometimes, I just want to do nothing, just unplug and do nothing.

I think sometimes we just get so obsessed with getting all we can get from a vacation, that we just end up doing too much.

Have you ever been burned out from your vacation? Most vacations I get home from, I realize that I now need a vacation from my vacation. Travel burnout is a real thing, something I think we come across often.

I have found a solution to travel burnout and exhaustion; its called a sleep vacation.

It sounds almost too simple, right? But trust me, it's become my favorite way to travel. It’s not about being lazy; it’s about being intentional. It’s a trip where the main event is finally, truly, resting.

Cozy bed ready for sleep

So, What Exactly is a "Sleep Vacation"?

It’s more than just staying in a hotel and sleeping in until 9 AM (though that is a glorious part of it!). Sleep tourism is actually a growing trend. High-end resorts are catching on and now offer sleep concierges, specialized spa treatments for insomnia, and rooms designed with circadian lighting and soundproofing.

But for me, a sleep vacation is simply a mindset. It’s a trip with no alarms, no packed itineraries, and zero guilt about spending an afternoon napping. It’s about giving your body and brain the break they’ve been begging for.

If the idea of doing nothing sounds like the perfect something, here are a few ways to do it, whether you want to go all-in at a luxury retreat or create your own peaceful escape.

Destination Deep Dives: Where to Go

Over the years, I've found that the destination matters less than the vibe, but certain places just have that "sleepy" magic. Here are a few of my favorites for different kinds of rest.

The Ultimate Digital Detox: Remote Escapes

If your brain is anything like mine, it's constantly buzzing from notifications and screens. The best cure? A place with no service.

I love a secluded cabin in the mountains—think the Smoky Mountains or even the Swiss Alps. The lack of light pollution means incredible stargazing before bed, and the silence is so deep it almost feels loud at first. The only "activity" on the list is building a fire, making some tea, and reading a physical book. No cell service means no distractions. It's just you, the quiet, and a whole lot of sleep.

Sleep Sanctuaries: Luxury Resorts

Sometimes, you want to be pampered into relaxation. That's where luxury wellness

resorts come in. Places like Miraval in Arizona or the Six Senses properties around the world have turned sleep into an art form.

I stayed at a place once that had a "pillow menu." I didn't even know that was a thing! They offer sleep rituals—guided meditation, sleep teas brought to your room at turndown, and blackout suites that make it impossible to tell if it's day or night. You spend your days doing gentle morning yoga, having a leisurely lunch, and then booking a spa treatment designed specifically for burnout. It's heaven.

The Sound of Silence: Nature Immersion

There's something about the hypnotic sound of nature that knocks me out faster than anything. I'm talking about a quiet beach in the Maldives during the off-season, or the Finnish Lakeland.

The rhythm of the waves or the deep quiet of a snow-covered landscape acts as natural white noise. The days are spent doing "forest bathing"—which is just a fancy term for walking slowly through the woods and actually looking at things—or gentle kayaking. By 8 PM, your body is naturally ready to curl up and drift off.

How to Curate Your Own Sleep Vacation (The DIY Guide)

Okay, so maybe a fancy resort isn't in the budget right now, or you prefer to do things your own way. I get it. Here's how I apply the principles of a sleep vacation to any trip I book on LetsGoWherever.

1. Choose Your Home Base Wisely: When I'm booking, I read reviews specifically for words like "quiet," "comfortable bed," and "peaceful." I prioritize hotels that mention blackout curtains, or better yet, I rent an Airbnb that's a little bit off the beaten path.

   
   

2. Make the "No-Alarm" Pact: This is the most important rule. For the entire trip, I don't set an alarm. I let my body wake up whenever it's done sleeping. If that's 9 AM, great. If it's 11 AM after months of sleep debt, even better. No guilt.

   
   

3. Pack a "Sleep Kit": I have a little bag of things that signal "rest" to my brain. I bring a silk pillowcase (it feels amazing and is cool to the touch), a small bottle of lavender sleep spray for the pillows, and most importantly, a physical book. No Kindles, no phones in the bedroom.

   
   

4. Create a Simple Ritual: Just because we're traveling doesn't mean we can't have a routine. I try to create a simple wind-down: a cup of hot tea at 8 PM, a long bath or hot shower at 9 PM, and then into bed with that book. Lights out by 10 PM. It's simple, but it works.

   
   

Ready to Finally Get Some Rest?

Taking a vacation specifically to rest isn't lazy. I've realized it's actually necessary. It's the only way I've found to truly come home feeling like I actually had a break.

At LetsGoWherever.com, we're all about finding the right trip for whatever you need. And if what you need is a solid week of sleep, we can help you find that perfect quiet corner of the world.

Ready to rest? Start searching for your relaxing getaway on LetsGoWherever.com today.