Just like eating enough veg and regular exercise, we all know that good quality sleep is crucial for our health and wellbeing, but most of us still aren’t getting enough. According to our reader sleep survey, a huge 73% of people consistently struggle with their sleep and 48% don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours per night.
I'm not the best sleeper myself. It takes me ages to drift off, I wake up around 3am most nights to use the loo and I struggle with bouts of sleep paralysis.
It’s hardly surprising, then, that sleep tourism is booming, with a crop of hotels now offering sleep-focused programmes and retreats around the globe. These range from basic add-ons like pillow menus, lavender sprays and plush mattresses, to techy spa treatments and expert-led workshops for those battling serious sleep disorders.
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As Good Housekeeping Institute’s sleep and wellness editor, I headed to Rockliffe Hall, a five-star country hotel in County Durham to try out its Relax & Renew spa break (it’s a tough job...) designed to help guests rest, recharge and reset. Spoiler: I had the best night sleep in months and it did wonders for my stress levels, too.
Dreaming of a solid night’s slumber in luxurious surroundings? Here’s how I got on, plus two more dedicated sleep breaks to try.
The Relax & Renew break
Rockliffe Hall's carefully curated programme is designed to provide “24 hours of total tranquillity” and “restore the mind and body through relaxation and wellbeing”.
It includes a one-night stay in a spacious New Hall room, extended spa access, a 90-minute spa garden experience, a 60-minute dedicated sleep treatment and guided meditation along with a NEOM welcome gift and an à la carte breakfast.
The sleep-inducing spa sessions
As soon as we arrived at Rockliffe Hall, we dropped off our bags and headed straight to the spa garden – an exclusive area which is only open to 15 people at a time – for our session.
Here, we floated in the dreamy infinity pool overlooking the gorgeous grounds, dipped in and out of the glass-fronted sauna and kicked back on heated tepidarium beds in our fluffy robes, cups of peppermint tea in hand. A mere two hours into our stay and we were already feeling seriously relaxed...
Next, we headed into the main spa area, which was equally impressive. I especially liked that it was big enough for everyone to spread out – we never had to wait for a spot in the coveted hot tub or worry about awkwardly sitting on a stranger in one of the saunas.
With a hydrotherapy pool featuring an array of massage jets, a salt-infused steam room, a tropicarium (which provides moist heat), two saunas and an igloo room for those who dare, you could easily while away an entire day flitting between the various spaces.
Feeling uncharacteristically chilled out, I headed into one of the treatment rooms for my Comfort Zone Pro-Sleep Ritual. Not your classic pressure-relieving massage, it combines meditative music, soothing essential oils and a series of gentle brushes and strokes. My mind usually whirrs and refuses to calm at the start of a massage, but I was gently drifting off within 10 minutes. It was truly blissful.
By the time we got to our guided meditation session in the dimly lit Sleep Retreat – snuggled up in blankets with eye masks on – I felt lighter and calmer than I had in a long time.
The sleep
Our New Hall room was enormous, with a plush king size bed, a lounge area, and a deep soaking tub with a TV set into the wall tiles and a patio with endless views over the golf course – the perfect spot for a morning cuppa.
After the ultimate day of relaxation, complete with a snooze-inducing spa treatments, a long stint in the sauna, meditation and delicious food, it’s no wonder I slept like a baby. I drifted off within moments of hitting the smooth Egyptian cotton sheets and woke up eight hours later, feeling refreshed in body and in mind. The blackout curtains blocked out light effectively, the pocket sprung mattress was supremely supportive and there wasn't a hint of noise pollution.
The NEOM gift set and complimentary hamper filled with snacks, cocktails and a handwritten note were lovely touches.
The setting
This lavish resort hotel, built in the 18th century and set among 375 acres of manicured lawns, woodland and an 18-hole golf course, ticks all the boxes for a relaxing weekend getaway. Nestled on the outskirts of Hurworth-on-Tees on the County Durham-North Yorkshire border, the sleepy estate is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some peace and quiet.
Rooms (there are 61 in total) are set across the grand Old Hall and the modern extension, the New Hall, which retains the hotel’s tradition style. This leads on to the sprawling spa complex, complete with multiple pools, an outdoor hot tub and a tempting line-up of classic and holistic treatments.
Guests who want a slice of action to help them nod off can make use of the hotel’s free bike hire, play tennis or go fishing on the River Tees.
The food
Foodies are in for a real treat at Rockliffe Hall. The hotel’s fine dining restaurant, TERRA is headed up by culinary director James Close, the first chef in the Northeast to be awarded two Michelin stars.
During our stay, it was home a French Bistro pop-up, which was, in a word, incredible. We started with a glass of fizz from the champagne trolly (there are some great alcohol-free options, too), oysters and devilled eggs, followed by French onion soup, a buttery ratatouille tart and the best cheese soufflé I’ve ever eaten. Despite full bellies, we had to finish the meal with millefeuille, and it didn’t disappoint.
Breakfast, after a sensational night’s sleep, also hit the spot. Alongside a continental spread of yoghurts, fruit, pastries and cereal, there's an à la carte menu with the likes of porridge, avocado on toast and a full English breakfast.
The final verdict
As we hopped onto the train back to London on Sunday morning (it’s just over two and a half hours from Darlington station), I felt utterly revitalised. 24 hours of relaxation pampering in a gorgeous, back-to-nature setting was just the tonic I needed.
Whether you’re looking to reset and restore some healthy sleep habits, or you simply want a night away from it all, I can’t recommend Rockliffe Hall highly enough.
Make it happen
Rockliffe Hall is currently offering a Breath Easy package, designed to help you unplug and unwind. It includes an overnight stay for two, a 60-minute spa treatment, a 90-minute spa garden experience, morning meditation and a welcome gift worth £200. The package starts from £586 per night. BOOK NOW
If you don’t want to a book a dedicated spa trip, stays at Rockliffe Hall start from £312 on a bed and breakfast basis. BOOK NOW
Two more sleep-focused stays to try
The Good Sleep Retreat, Ockenden Manor, West Sussex
Sleep-boosting amenities are all well and good but if you’re looking to deal with the root cause of your sleep woes – whether it’s full-blown insomnia or regular wake-ups – this three-day programme led by clinical psychologist Dr Maja Schaedel is worth considering. The stay includes a one-to-one consultation with Dr Schaedel, group workshops, yoga and breathwork classes and guided hikes. There’s also plenty of time to enjoy the stress-melting spa facilities and make the most of the manicured grounds.
The Good Sleep Retreat starts from £999. Upcoming dates: 15-17 October and 26-29 November. BOOK NOW
Sensory Sleep Programme, Pan Pacific Hotel, London
You might not associate London with sleep, but this skyscraper hotel offers an unexpected sanctuary in the heart of the City. It has a one-night programme dedicated to improving your Zs, including techy touches and access to its five-star wellbeing floor with an infinity pool, sauna, steam rooms and a zen mindful studio. In the suite, there’s an Ooler mattress pad to regulate your sleep temperature, a MELA weighted blanket and blackout blinds. There’s also a pillow menu, chamomile tea at bedtime and aromatherapy sleep oils to spritz on your sheets. It's the ideal escape for sleep-deprived Londoners.
The Sensory Sleep Programme starts from £645 per night. You can also add the sleep experience to a standard overnight stay for £150 per night. BOOK NOW
