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 travelers, according to the 2005 Travel Sleep Habits survey from Radisson Hotels & Resorts® and Select Comfort, Creator of The Sleep Number Bed^TM.

More than half of the people 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 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 to upgrade up to 90,000 mattresses at more than 230 hotels in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean with a custom-designed SLEEP NUMBER® bed.

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® 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.

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

Sleeping Well on the Road - Tips for Tired Travelers

Getting a good night's sleep can be a challenge - especially if you are trying to sleep in an unfamiliar hotel room. A 2005 Travel Sleep Habits Survey conducted by Radisson Hotels & Resorts^® and Select Comfort - the nation's leading bed retailer and creator of the SLEEP NUMBER^®  bed - found more than one in three adults say they rarely get a good night's sleep when traveling.¹

According to Pete Bils, senior director of sleep innovation for Select Comfort and chair of the company's Sleep Advisory Board, travelers can achieve better sleep by following the tips listed below.

Travel Sleep Tips

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

• Mimic your home sleep environment as much as possible. If your hotel room features a Sleep Number^® bed, you can adjust the firmness of the mattress to your ideal comfort level.
• Test the hotel's pillows for comfort; exchange your pillows if they are not to your liking. 
• Eliminate excessive sources of light and keep the thermostat set to around 65 to 70 degrees.
• If you are a "light" sleeper, request a quiet room away from elevators, stairs and vending areas. Eliminate unwanted noise by using the steady noise of a fan-only setting on the air conditioner.

Iron and Organize

Relieve stress by preparing your attire for the next day in advance. Unpack your toiletries. If you have forgotten any essentials (toothbrush, shave kit, etc.), call the front desk and get a replacement before you go to sleep.

Test the Alarm Clock

To put your mind at ease about waking up on time, arrange a wake-up call and set the alarm clock. Make sure that the current time and the alarm time both have the correct AM/PM designations. Also, make sure the buzzer or radio is loud enough to wake you.

Plan Your Itinerary

To compensate for jet lag, arrive at your destination in the early evening whenever possible. Avoid heavy meals at night before bedtime. If you live far from the airport and have an early morning flight or anticipate bad weather, plan to stay the night at a hotel near the airport and use the hotel's parking and shuttle service. Pre-pack your suitcases the day before your flight and set aside a special bag for personal grooming items that you use just for traveling.

Avoid Alcohol and Stimulants

While alcohol may make you feel sleepy initially, it can actually interfere with a good night's sleep. Avoid caffeine after 2:00 p.m.

Get Outside and Move Around

Exposure to sunlight helps to adjust your internal clock, so try taking a walk upon arrival or a light jog in the morning. If you are traveling for business and work cannot wait, try to find a room with lots of natural light and sit near a window.