Tips for Travellers

Our cashmere travel set and eye mask are the ideal travel companion to ensure you get a better sleep. Even though the plane is dark, people around you will be watching movies or using their iPads and computers.

Earplugs or noise-cancellation headphones are a good idea – the noise level is extremely high and could make you feel tired, even on short flights.

An inflatable sleep pillow is also a good idea if traveling coach. While not perfect, it does help keep your neck in a better position.

Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol. Alcohol makes you to sleep but does help you stay asleep and is extremely dehydrating at high altitudes.

Try to eat very lightly while on the plane – especially if you are traveling to a different time zone and meals are served at odd times. To lessen jet-lag, you need to set your clock by eating and sleeping at the correct time in the time-zone when you reach your destination.

When making a reservation, enquire about a good mattress. A good mattress will change the way you sleep and effect how much energy you have to enjoy your holiday or business trip.

A good pillow can change your night. Ask whether a selection of pillows is available.

A “clean and fresh” bed is essential. Some hotels still change the linen but leave the same decorate pillows, throws and covers on the bed that were used by previous guests. Today this is considered unhygienic and can cause allergies.

Most hotels offer duvets as a standard nowadays, but if you usually sleep with a blanket – request it.

Ask if the hotel offers a choice of cotton percale, cotton sateen or linen sheets.

If staying at the same hotel regularly, request the same room. Familiar surroundings will help you sleep better.

Request a room that is quiet. Busy corridors, being close to elevators or busy streets, will disrupt your rest.

Make sure that you are able to make your room dark when you go to sleep. Bright lights from the outside of the room prevent you from going into a deep and restful sleep.

Use your eye-mask if there is too much street light and you can’t avoid it.

Try and make the room feel like home – a fragrance, little candle or even a favourite photo that reminds you of home can make you feel more relaxed.

Set the temperature of the room so that it is not too cold or hot. The ideal room temperature is 18 degrees celsius. The ideal temperature in bed is 29 degrees celsius. Request extra blankets and an old-fashioned hot water bottle if you are cold.

Try to stick to your normal bed-time routine – reading, listening to music, herbal teas etc. This will help you relax and send a message to your brain that it’s time to sleep.