A new travel trend shows couples letting themselves “sleep” on vacation

A sleep trend that’s gaining traction among couples has also spread to the travel industry, as more people say they want a sleeping arrangement that’s separate from their partner’s.

Traveling couples are reportedly looking for ways to get more shut-eye on vacation as part of the trend dubbed “divorce in their sleep,” according to Hilton’s “Trends 2025” report.

The Virginia-based hotel company said nearly two-thirds of travelers (63%) admit they sleep better when they are alone.

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“In fact, 37% of travelers prefer to sleep in a separate bed from their partner when traveling, and most travelers with children (3 in 4) believe it is best to sleep separately from their children when traveling,” it says it in the Hilton travel report. “So plan the solo trip. Put it back during the family meeting.”

In 2023, the topic of sleep divorce was examined in a survey by the Illinois-based American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Couples said they slept in separate rooms to “prioritize sleep.”

Men are more likely to sleep elsewhere: 45% of them say they do so “occasionally or regularly,” compared to 25% of women, the survey says.

Stacy Thiry, a Florida-based licensed mental health counselor at telehealth platform Grow Therapy, addressed the arrival of “sleep divorce” into the world of travel, saying the trend can have “pros and cons.”

“The first one [benefit] is that they can just rest better,” Thiry told Fox News Digital in a telephone interview. “By sleeping separately, everyone has the environment they need for a restful sleep, be it a cooler room, no snoring or just peace and quiet.”

“We are much more aware of the value of sleep.”

“Potential professionals are less likely to argue or get frustrated when you’re too close to each other. [It] might even strengthen connection for some people and report feeling closer since they don’t wake up a bit upset [after] a bad night’s sleep,” she added.

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Thiry said challenges also include physical distance, which can affect the ability to experience a spontaneous moment of affection with a partner.

“There might be a stigma attached to it… There might be something wrong if you don’t want to share a bed with each other,” she said.

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“In the past, sharing a marital bed or bed was seen as a sign of closeness in the relationship, and now I think couples are able to prioritize what works best in their relationship.”

“Another key element is that we are much more aware of the value of sleep,” Thiry said.

Couples should spend time together before bed if they’re considering jumping on the “sleep divorce” trend, a Utah-based sleep expert recommended. (iStock)

The sleep expert Dr. Wendy Troxel, senior behavioral specialist at the RAND Corporation and a licensed clinical psychologist in Utah, agreed that some couples choose to sleep apart while on vacation with the “goal of improving sleep quality.”

Troxel told Fox News Digital: “This trend reflects a growing awareness that sleep is critical not only for personal health and well-being, but also for the health of relationships.”

Some couples choose to sleep apart while on vacation with the “goal of improving sleep quality.”

Research “consistently shows” that sleep problems can lead to symptoms of increased irritability, poorer problem-solving skills and greater conflict, Troxel noted in her book, “Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep.”

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“All of this can have a negative impact on relationships,” she told Fox News Digital.

“However, when considering this option, it is crucial to keep the dialogue open to ensure both partners’ needs are met and to avoid feelings of abandonment or rejection.”

Sleeping separately is an individual decision for each relationship, according to one expert, who stressed that there is “no one-size-fits-all strategy.” (iStock)

To maintain intimacy with a partner, Troxel recommended making time for “closeness” before bed.

“Often the time before bed is the most important for maintaining connection and intimacy,” she said.

“The goal is to find a balance that works for both partners and ensures that the relationship remains strong and supportive and that both partners sleep well, even while traveling.”

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Sleeping separately is an individual decision for every relationship, said Troxel, who emphasized that there is “no one-size-fits-all strategy.”

She added: “If sleeping apart leads to better sleep and happier days, it may actually lead to happier relationships for some couples.”

A Hilton spokesperson told Fox News Digital via email that the company’s research shows guests place more value on a good night’s sleep while on vacation.

Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report found that “sleep divorce” is on the rise among couples vacationing together. (iStock)

“As sleep tourism has evolved, conversations have also increased, with topics such as ‘sleep divorce’ expected to increase in 2025,” the spokesperson noted.

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For travelers looking to get in on the “sleeper divorce” trend, some hotels offer connecting rooms “as they allow families or couples to stay close to each other while still enjoying comfort.” “The quality of sleep that separate beds and rooms can provide,” the spokesman said.