Tired Travelers Tell All; Travel Sleep Habits Survey Uncovers Why Travelers Are Losing Sleep

MINNEAPOLIS--April 13, 2005--Although it is impossible to travel with your own bed, how about having a customized sleep surface waiting at your hotel? The idea is resonating with American travelers, according to the 2005 Travel Sleep Habits survey from Radisson Hotels & Resorts(R) and Select Comfort, Creator of The Sleep Number Bed(TM).

More than half of Americans surveyed (55 percent) say they would choose to bring their own bed with them while traveling, and 42 percent say they would be more likely to stay at a hotel that provides a customized sleep surface.

"Even at home, sleeping well can sometimes seem like a dream come true" said Pete Bils, senior director of sleep innovation for Select Comfort. "On the road - for business or for pleasure - sleep becomes even more elusive. And when long plane or car rides, varied travel times, and jet lag wreak havoc on a person’s sleep schedule, quality and restorative sleep is more important than ever"

Yet more than one in three American adults say they rarely get a good night’s sleep when traveling. With more than 210 million trips taking place for business purposes alone in 2003(1), it appears that American travelers are losing sleep. According to the Travel Sleep Habits survey, the most frequent complaint is the hotel room’s mattress, cited by more than one in four as the top contributor to poor sleep. Other factors include too much noise in the hotel, uncomfortable pillows and temperature control in the hotel room.

Customized sleep for tired travelers

To help tired travelers, Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Select Comfort have formed an exclusive partnership with plans that call for the majority of Radisson’s 90,000 beds at more than 230 hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean to be upgraded with custom-designed SLEEP NUMBER(R) beds throughout 2005 and 2006.

The bed features dual-adjustable air-chamber technology that allows each side of the Queen and King-size beds to be independently adjusted for each person. A Sleep Number(R) is a number between zero and 100 that represents each person’s ideal level of mattress comfort, firmness and support. Prior to checking in to a Radisson property, guests can find their Sleep Number at www.radisson.com/sleepnumber, or by visiting one of more than 370 Select Comfort stores nationwide for a demonstration.

"Providing our guests with the Sleep Number bed will allow them to adjust their mattress to their liking at the touch of a button" said Bjorn Gullaksen, executive vice president and brand leader of Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Carlson Hotels Worldwide Full Service Hotels. "We’re excited about our partnership with Select Comfort and see it as an opportunity to further our reputation as the hotel of choice for frequent travelers seeking quality, comfort, and an upscale hotel experience"

The 2005 Travel Sleep Habits Survey was independently conducted by Caravan(R) Opinion Research Corporation for Select Comfort and Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

Additional survey results include:

-- One-third report bringing either their pillow or a blanket with them when staying at a hotel

-- More than one-quarter say they are more likely to stay at a hotel with upgraded bedding

-- Nearly all adults (95%) have trouble falling or staying asleep, at least occasionally

-- Given three factors to consider, most believe restful sleep (48%) is most important for good health, followed by regular exercise (27%) and nutritional diet (25%)

-- Among factors involving a sleep partner, most (52%) reported snoring as the biggest hindrance of good sleep

-- Those polled believe people in the Midwest are getting the soundest sleep (29%), followed by the South and West Coast. When it comes to getting the worst sleep, 35% of those polled pointed to the East Coast

-- Majority (52%) sleep best during the winter, regardless of where they live

About Radisson Hotels & Resorts

Radisson Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading full-service hotel companies and encompasses more than 430 properties in 61 countries. Radisson is focused on being the hotel of choice with business and leisure travelers by understanding the independent mindset and changing needs of today’s frequent travelers who want more control over their hotel experience. Radisson Hotels & Resorts is continuing to evolve the brand, introducing new product and service standards, such as the Sleep Number bed, to address key guest needs and distinguish the hotels within the full-service category. Radisson is committed to providing personalized, professional and engaging guest service at every point of guest contact. Radisson Hotels & Resorts is part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a global leader in hotel services encompassing nearly 900 hotel and resorts in 69 countries. In addition to Radisson Hotels & Resorts, other Carlson Hotels Worldwide brands include: Regent International Hotels; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn. For reservations at any Radisson hotel or resort, visit www.radisson.com, call (800) 333-3333 in the U.S. or Canada or contact your travel consultant.

About Select Comfort

Founded in 1987, Select Comfort Corporation is the nation’s leading bed retailer(2), holding 32 U.S. issued or pending patents for its personalized sleep products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a line of adjustable-firmness mattresses featuring air-chamber technology, branded the Sleep Number bed, as well as foundations and sleep accessories. Select Comfort products are sold through its 370 retail stores located nationwide; through selected bedding retailers; through its national direct marketing operations; and on the Internet at www.selectcomfort.com.

(1) The Travel Industry Association of America estimates that U.S. households generated 210.5 million person-trips for business purposes in 2003.

2005 Travel Sleep Habits Survey conducted by Caravan(R) Opinion Research Corporation for Select Comfort and Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

(2) Top 25 Bedding Retailers, Furniture Today, May 24, 2004.

Contact Information

Anna White Lovely

Media Contact

Select Comfort

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