Sleep vacations are the latest dreamy travel trend

The benefits of taking a vacation can differ depending on the person. Travelers might want to explore a new world, scope out the party scene in a different city, use the time to connect with family and friends, or get some much-needed rest and relaxation.

R&R is getting fresh emphasis these days and has been rebranded “sleep tourism.’’ According to HTF Market Intelligence, this industry is estimated to increase by $409.8 billion by 2028.

“We’ve said before that sleep has a public relations problem in this country,” ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton told “Good Morning America.” “We think of it as a luxury, but it’s really a medical necessity.”

Although sleep tourism is somewhat new, hotels around the world are taking advantage of the need for a good night’s rest. The Hotel Figueroa in Los Angeles has launched a Rest and Recovery Suite that features light therapy, Molekule air purifiers, customized Pluto Pillows and more.

Hotel chain Hilton has introduced more sleep amenities throughout the years. One of its popular vacation spots, the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Italy, offers pillow menus (Down Comfort, Buckwheat Husk or Shredded Coconut, anyone?), while the Conrad Bali in Indonesia has an additional paid experience called “Sway,” featuring a 60-minute sleep therapy session while suspended in cocoon hammocks.

“Travelers engaging in sleep tourism are taking that extra step and seeking out unique experiences, amenities and environments that help them achieve their sleep and relaxation goals,” Amanda Al-Masri, the vice president of wellness at Hilton, told Fortune magazine.

If you’re looking to get the most out of a sleep vacation, here are the top five retreats in the United States, according to Time Out, that offer relaxing suites perfect for a night or for extended stays:

• Smyth Tribeca in New York
• Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort in Lanai City, Hawaii
• Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona
• Castle Hot Springs in Morristown, Arizona
• Carillon Miami Wellness Resort in Miami

“Prioritizing sleep can be challenging in the modern world, but doing so can open up a whole world of benefits, including greater productivity and focus as well as slowing down the aging process,” according to Dr. Marc Milstein, a leading researcher who recently wrote “The Age-Proof Brain.”