Sleep divorces are staying intact even on vacations, as a new study finds more couples are looking for separate-bed and/or room options when they travel.
According to Hilton’s 2025 Trends report, separate beds have officially become a must-have for sleep divorced pairs when they go on vacation. (1) That is, people still want a good night sleep when they’re away, so they’re looking for accommodations that let them stay together yet sleep apart.
“The main idea behind sleep divorce is to try to optimize sleep for each partner. In our increasingly busy lives, we end up not getting enough sleep by default. The sleep quality we do get starts to count more than ever before. So it’s not surprising that people optimize sleep in any way possible, including eliminating any disruptions like a bed partner,” Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in Menlo Park, CA, told Sleepopolis.
The survey included responses from 13,001 adults who were aged 18 and up and planned to travel in the next year.
According to the report, 37 percent of those surveyed want separate beds — especially when traveling with kids in tow.
“Three in four think it’s best to sleep apart from their kids while traveling,” Hilton stated.
What Does a Sleep Divorce on Vacation Look Like?
So how does this work in practical terms? It can include two beds in the room, or a connecting room (especially if you have kids), the report stated.
A spokesperson for Insider Villas, a short-term luxury villa rental agency in Spain, told Sleepopolis that many travelers are looking for options that go beyond two beds in a room.
Villas are a popular trend because they offer multiple bedrooms. Some master suits have two different areas in one suite.
Stephanie Webb, a travel guide with Trip Shepherd from Ontario, Canada, said two beds in the same room may work for some people but they may feel cramped.
“Two full beds can give you some distance, but for couples who want a little more space (or are light sleepers), it’s not always ideal. I’ve heard from people who say it can feel more like a college roommate setup than a romantic retreat,” Webb said.
Luckily, hotels are getting creative, Webb added. “I’ve seen places where suites come with a main bedroom and an adjoining sitting room that has a daybed or pullout. This gives each person a separate, comfortable space without having to book two separate rooms. Some upscale hotels even have two-bedroom suites, which is a total game-changer for couples wanting their own beds but not wanting to sacrifice the vacation vibe.”
Split-king beds, which have two separate mattresses with adjustable firmness but are part of the same bed unit, are also other options for sleep divorcees.
“If separate sleeping arrangements are a priority, it’s worth calling the hotel ahead of time to see what they can offer,” Webb added.
Additionally, offering different types of pillows, blackout curtains, soundproofing, and even personalized sleep playlists can help guests tailor their stay to get a better rest, regardless of who’s sleeping where.
Who’s More Likely to Sleep in a Separate Room: Men or Women?
An American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) online survey from 2023 found that more than one-third of Americans are sleep divorced, which means they consistently sleep in separate rooms and/or separate beds. (2) Men are more apt to sleep on the couch or in a guest room, surrendering the master bedroom to their wives or girlfriends. Only 25 percent of women said they move rooms.
“Getting a good night’s sleep is important for both health and happiness, so it’s no surprise that some couples choose to sleep apart for their overall well-being,” Seema Khosla, a pulmonologist and spokesperson for the AASM, said in a statement announcing survey results. (2) “We know that poor sleep can worsen your mood, and those who are sleep deprived are more likely to argue with their partners. There may be some resentment toward the person causing the sleep disruption which can negatively impact relationships.”
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Sources
1. Hilton; “Sleep Tourizzzm 2.0: The Next Sleep Cycle,” 2025 Hilton Trends Report; https://stories.hilton.com/2025trends/sleep-tourizzzm-2-0-the-next-sleep-cycle; October 2024.
2. AASM; “Over a third of Americans opt for a ‘sleep divorce,’” American Academy of Sleep Medicine; https://aasm.org/over-a-third-americans-opt-sleep-divorce/; July 10, 2023.
Dimitriu, Alex. Author interview. October 2024.
Webb, Stephanie. Author interview. October 2024.
