Why Your Next Trip Should Be A “Sleep Vacation”
What is a sleep vacation? We’re glad you asked. Vacations can be relaxing, but planning them takes a lot of work, we’re often working at least part of the time…
evgenyatamanenko/ Getty Images
evgenyatamanenko/ Getty ImagesWhat is a sleep vacation? We're glad you asked.
Vacations can be relaxing, but planning them takes a lot of work, we’re often working at least part of the time and everything is more expensive, all of which can make travel more stressful than soothing. On top of that, many of us are sleep deprived and going on a trip can make that even worse, as we stay up late and wake up early to make the most of our time away. Then we come home and feel worse than we did before we left, which is the opposite of how a vacation is supposed to make us feel.
That’s why a “sleep vacation” may be just what you need. There are two different ways to approach it:
- You could make sleep the main focus of your trip by going on a sort of “sleep retreat.” This typically involves booking a luxury hotel room that’s specifically designed to promote rest, like Italy’s Six Senses Rome, which offers yoga, meditation and a medical assessment for your sleep challenges. There’s also the Park Hyatt New York’s Bryte Restorative Sleep Suite that features a mattress with AI that constantly adjusts to the conditions in the room to help you get the best sleep of your life.
- The other way is to just prioritize sleep when you’re on vacation. Instead of rest being an afterthought, you sightsee and enjoy meals out, but you make sure you’re back to your bed at a reasonable hour. You don’t wake up early or go to bed late, you allow yourself to sleep as much as you want … and need.
- Even if you don’t make sleep the focus of your next vacation, getting rest should be high on your to-do list so that you come back refreshed, rather than burned out. Think of it as self-care and make sure there’s a really good bed waiting at your next destination.
Lake Norman Has VRBO’s Best Vacation Homes For 2023
A lot of people rent vacation homes these days and VRBO is one of the most popular sites for booking them, but did you know that Lake Norman is home to the best of the best?
The company has more than 2 million listings in over 190 countries, so its 48 million users have quite a few to sort through to find the ideal property for them. Now VRBO has released their 2023 Vacation Homes of the Year report to highlight their top 10 best U.S. rental properties.
Not only is Lake Norman in North Carolina home to one of them but South Carolina has one of the best vacation homes in Isle of Palms.
"These stunning, private vacation homes all boast stellar star ratings, rave guest reviews, are owned or managed by a Premier Host, and feature some of the most standout spaces and amenities for going on vacation together with family and friends," the report reads.
These are VRBO's top 10 vacation homes of 2023:
The Oasis Estate: Palm Springs, California
This nine-bedroom, 7-thousand square-foot home includes a pool, sauna, 45-foot putting green, fire pits and it goes for $2,838 a night.
The Happy Roadrunner: Phoenix, Arizona
It offers a mountain backdrop and views of the city below, sleeps 16, has a heated pool with rock waterfalls, an arcade and costs $1,253 a night.
The Chasestone: Lake Norman, North Carolina
Situated on a private peninsula with more than 600 feet of lakefront views, it sleeps 18, has a theater room, a game room, firepit and rents for $4,759 a night.
The Contemporary Gem: Manzanita, Oregon
This modern architectural home features several walls of floor-to-ceiling windows offering impressive views of Neahkahnie Beach and is surrounded by lush greenery. It sleeps 12, has a double-decker deck and is $1,250 a night.
Ocean View Oasis: Montauk, New York
Located in the Hamptons overlooking the water, it sleeps 10, has a movie theater, a chef’s kitchen, is just steps from the beach, and can be yours for $2,616 a night.
The Riverfront Hideaway: Dripping Springs, Texas
The indoor-outdoor terrace is the star of this home that features floor-to-ceiling views of the Pedernales River, sleeps six and goes for $413 a night.
30A My Way: Rosemary Beach, Florida
This four-story beach house has an elevator, an indoor theater, a private boardwalk to the beach and a game room. It can sleep 35 guests and rents for $3,954 a night.
Port of Call: Isle of Palms, South Carolina
With a double-decker patio facing the ocean, this 7-thousand square foot home sleeps 28, has private beach access, a pool and costs $6,820 a night.
Salmonfly Lodge: Victor, Idaho
Tucked in an Aspen tree grove at the foot of Targhee National Forest, this log home features cathedral ceilings, a cozy fireplace and sleeps 16 for $1,112 a night.
Trestle House: Winter Park, Colorado
This ski-in, ski-out rental comes with two decks, a game room, wet bar and stunning mountain views. It sleeps 12 and rents for $1,404 a night.
