Small Luxury Hotels of the World launches Restless Traveller Report

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has revealed findings from its new Restless Traveller Report. Carried out by OnePoll, the report surveyed 6,000 adults across the UK, US and Australia.

SLH is a community of independently boutique hotels around the world. The Restless Traveller Report is its international survey, which explores how modern life is impacting rest and travel is emerging as a tool to support holistic wellbeing.

The results showed that 72 per cent of respondents feel tired right now, with 60 per cent saying modern life does not allow for true rest.

Fatigue was consistent across all age groups and highest among women aged 25 to 44. One respondent commented: “It’s not just a lack of sleep; it’s a lack of space to breathe.” Another said: “We are tired in ways sleep can’t fix.”

Barriers to rest

When asked where they feel most tired, 48 per cent of respondents said physically, 44 per cent mentally and 25 per cent emotionally. The final 14 percent reported feeling tired socially.

The biggest barrier to rest, according to 60 per cent of respondents, was modern life. For 40 per cent, its work that impacts their ability to rest and recover.

Of those questioned, 89 per cent recognise travel as effective for helping them achieve holistic rest, supporting their emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.

Furthermore, 49 per cent reported nature-based travel allows for the most rest, followed by wellness-focused trips.

Choosing wellbeing travel

Almost all (97 per cent) of those questioned said regular breaks are essential to their long-term wellbeing, with 93 per cent saying they prioritise rest and wellbeing when choosing where to travel.

Over three quarters (89 per cent) also said they felt wellness travel helps them reconnect with what’s important in life.

This demand for meaningful, genuinely restorative travel experiences has led SLH to create its new Wellbeing Collection. Each of the 15 luxury hotels has been selected for its ability to restore body, mind and spirit.

The Collection celebrates restorative sanctuaries where wellbeing is a way of life, and where environment, design and philosophy enable guests to pause, reconnect and find balance.

Founding members of the Wellbeing Collection include Acro Suites in Crete, Greece, Eriro in Austria, Euphoria Retreat in Greece and Hubertus in Germany.

Globally, the Collection includes Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary in the Himalayas and Gangtey Lodge in the Phobjikha Valley, also in Bhutan.

The Keemala rainforest retreat in Phuket, Thailand and the Namia River Retreat in Hoi An, Vietnam are joined by Castle Hot Springs, Morristown in Arizona, USA and lush eco-resort Rio Perdido in Costa Rica.

“Following an increased desire from guests for wellbeing and inner sustainability, we’ve created the Wellbeing Collection to spotlight hotels that offer heartfelt hospitality somewhere peaceful,” says Richard Hyde, COO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

“Each goes beyond simply providing therapeutic treatments and understands how to layer the process of improving health with practical advice for long-term sustainability.

“In a world where artificial intelligence is dominating conversations, its antithesis, emotional intelligence, is the elusive ingredient people struggle to develop in our busy, hyper-connected world.

“The Wellbeing Collection hotels display EI superpowers that subtly set guests on course for a 360˚ recharge, bolstering physical, mental and emotional states.”

The Restless Traveller Report can be found here.

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