Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has launched its first wellbeing collection and also published a survey that found travel is perceived as an effective method for achieving meaningful rest.

Richard Hyde, chief operating officer of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, said: “Following an increased desire from guests for wellbeing and inner sustainability, we’ve created the Wellbeing Collection by carefully filtering the hotels in our portfolio to spotlight those that offer heartfelt hospitality somewhere peaceful, where they can immerse themselves in nature-based experiences, the local culture, educational workshops and wellness-focused facilities, to feel enriched, unplug for their daily lives and truly relax.”

The SLH report, The Restless Traveller, was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of SLH and published on International Relaxation Day.

The findings have been used to market the Wellbeing Collection, which showcases 15 properties dedicated to relaxation.

Six thousand adults across the US, Australia and the UK were surveyed to explore how modern life is impacting rest and how travel supports wellbeing.

Tiredness

Seventy-two per cent of respondents surveyed for the new study reported feeling tired. Fatigue was consistent across all age groups and highest among women aged 25-44.

The survey asked participants how their tiredness expressed itself: physically (48 per cent), mentally (44 per cent), emotionally (25 per cent) or socially (14 per cent). Some respondents also said they experienced sensory overload, felt creatively blocked and spiritually disconnected.

Sixty per cent said modern life is the biggest barrier to meaningful rest. The other main barriers cited include family responsibilities (44 per cent) and work demands (40 per cent).

Travel

Eighty-nine per cent of respondents recognised travel as a way to achieve comprehensive rest and 49 per cent said “nature-based” trips were the most effective.

The next best travel options for decompression, identified by participants, include wellness-focused trips (22 per cent), city breaks (19 per cent), cultural outings (14 per cent), adventure-based holidays (13 per cent), digital detoxes (10 per cent) and spiritual/religion-related trips (8 per cent).

In terms of the impact of restful travel, 67 per cent of those surveyed said it improves their mood. Fifty-two per cent said it provides them with fresh perspective, while 37 per cent said such trips improve their sleep.

Other benefits include participants feeling more grateful after travelling (34 per cent), having a better connection with nature (31 per cent) and feeling as though their creativity has been boosted (28 per cent).

These positive feelings are short-lived, however, according to the survey.

While 39 per cent of participants said they continue to feel rested for a few days after returning home, only 12 per cent said the benefits last a month or more.

Ninety-seven per cent of those surveyed agreed that regular breaks are essential for long-term wellbeing and 93 per cent said prioritising rest and wellbeing is important when choosing where to go for these restful trips.

Wellbeing Collection

The fifteen properties that make up SLH’s new Wellbeing Collection offer guests three pillars for comprehensive relaxation, based on the survey results: rest, reconnection and resilience.

The hotels included in the collection offer treatments, nutritious dining options and customised fitness as well as what SLH says is the elusive ingredient in our lives today, emotional intelligence. From inspiring locations and instinctive service to “joyful design”, these properties are retreats that offer activities to bolster physical, mental and emotional states.

The properties that currently make up the collection include:

• Eriro, Ehrwald, Austria

• Acro Suites, Crete, Greece• Euphoria Retreat, Mystras, Greece

• Hubertus Mountain Refugio Allgäu, Balderschwang Bayern, Germany• Forestis, Brixen, Italy

• Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Merano, Italy• Oasyhotel, San Marcello Piteglio, Italy

• Quinta da Comporta, Carvalhal, Portugal• Teranka, Formentera, Spain

• Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Shaba, Bhutan• Gangtey Lodge, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan

• Keemala, Phuket, Thailand• Namia River Retreat, Hoi An, Vietnam

• Castle Hot Springs, Morristown, Arizona, US• Rio Perdido, Bagaces, Costa Rica