Hospitality

Westin Hotels & Resorts to reward guests who find the ‘Joy of Missing Out’

Ahead of World Sleep Day, Westin Hotels & Resorts around the world are today recognizing the power of #JOMO. In lockstep with a growing global demand for well-being and an increased awareness of the value of self-care, Westin will reward guests who find the ‘Joy of Missing Out’ and take time back for extra sleep, exercise or a break from technology.

“JOMO is an extension of Westin’s commitment to make it easy for travelers to reclaim their well-being routine while on the road. The brand has been rooted in wellness since the game-changing debut of the Westin Heavenly Bed nearly 20 years ago. The concept of JOMO resonates in this region. For example, 45 per cent of people in the UAE reported that wellness resolutions made throughout the year will be related to sleep,” said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President Premium & Select Brands, Marriott International Middle East and Africa.

To ensure travelers take time for themselves on World Sleep Day, Westin hotels in the Middle East and Africa and around the world are offering wellness experiences as an alternative to the constant digital connectivity that accompanies travel. Guests at Westin Turtle Bay Mauritius can relax on hammocks dotted around the hotel swaying to chilled playlists and are invited to join the Tai Chi and yoga sessions. Associates at Westin Cape Town will dress the part, wearing gowns on World Sleep Day and will offer special JOMO spa treatments. Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa is encouraging guests to disconnect from technology and put their phones inside the #JOMO box during their gym workouts and spa treatments.

These hotels will join other Westin Hotels globally to champion #JOMO. The Westin Hilton Head Island is boasting an Unplugged package in which guests have their in-room televisions disconnected. They can also trade in their cell phones in exchange for bicycle rentals, a kayak tour and time at the spa. The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver is featuring a Liquid Yoga program atop floating aquamats during 60-minute vinyasa sessions, held in the hotel’s indoor pool to promote wellness through movement and stillness. The Westin Brisbane is offering a detox facial with Hydropeptide to fight the effects of HEV (blue light) on the skin.

“There is a direct correlation between your sleep and your overall well-being. Perhaps unexpectedly, quality sleep is also foundational for people to reap the benefits of fitness and is a necessary part of exercise recovery. Disconnecting and winding down one to two hours before bed, which includes putting away light-emitting electronic devices, lends to falling asleep more easily and experiencing deeper, more restful sleep,” said Dr Charles Morin, a sleep researcher and President of World Sleep Society

To incentivize tech-tethered travelers to disconnect from their devices, Westin will reward those who embrace the #JOMO social movement leading into World Sleep Day by gifting them Marriott Bonvoy (Marriott.com/loyalty.mi) Points through Instagram. Marriott Bonvoy is Marriott International’s travel program, which replaced Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). Members with a public Instagram account linked to their Marriott Bonvoy account who post between March 3-14 using the hashtag #WestinJOMO and tag @Westin will have points automatically added into their account on a first come first serve basis.

From today until 17 March, #JOMO doortags will be available at participating hotels around the world for guests to use, with the opportunity to receive specially-curated Sleep Well amenities. Global travelers will be able to experience the #JOMO doortags in the region at Westin Mauritius and Westin Cape Town, and around the world in New York, Vancouver, Mexico City, Lima, Puerto Vallarta, Warsaw, Munich, Hamburg and Singapore, as well as at new Westin hotels in Hawaii, the Maldives and Australia.

“Finally, sleep and self-care have become cool to talk about,” said Chris Heuisler, Global RunWestin Concierge, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “Today’s over-scheduled and always-on culture has spurred a counter-movement among those who see the value in disconnecting and taking time back for well-being, starting with a good night’s sleep. Nearly 65 per cent of people sleep fewer hours while on the road; so empowering travelers to embrace the ‘joy of missing out,’ sleep strong and rise better reinforces our commitment to guests’ well-being and the growing understanding that sleep impacts everything from the way you work out to business productivity and overall happiness.”

In London, Westin recently launched its new running club and event series – called Rise & Run – along banks of the River Thames. On the first Tuesday of every month. the five-kilometre running club has been created to inspire Londoners to rise early, following a good night’s rest, and take a moment tune out their busy schedules and tune into their well-being. Visit http://www.RunWestinLondon.co.uk for more. And in Toyko, the Westin brand has partnered with the Tokyo Marathon, one of the six largest and most renowned marathons in the world, to offer premier VIP marathon packages to Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members and to be partners in travelers’ sleep, nutritional and fitness training leading up to the marathon.