Hotel Concept of the Month – Zed Rooms – Woom Room

Located in Shoreditch, the Zed Rooms is the result of nine months development involving experts from Simba, Cuckooz and Studio Stilton to create “state-of-the-art boutique apartment” using insights rooted in the “science of sleep”.

The partnership aims to deliver a “home away from home” designed around the pursuit of sleep excellence by tackling the ‘first night effect’. The first night effect is a natural reaction discovered by scientists over a decade ago whereby one half of the brain acts as a ‘night watchman’ in unfamiliar surroundings – resulting in a poor night’s rest.

Designed to encourage REM-rich slumber – the type of sleep which increases brain activity, promotes learning and creates dreams, the rooms engage with every sensorial touchpoint of the body; constructing a “holistic ecosystem that enhances your sleep”.

Each apartment has two rooms – the Woom and Loom Rooms. The Woom Room features a cocoon-like bed which has been designed to mimic the safety and security of a womb, so you sleep like a baby. The Loom Room is home to a snug four poster bed, designed for dreaming and draped with luxurious ethereal fabrics.

Muted lighting, blackout blinds and sound absorbing curtains help to promote “positivity and relaxation” while muting the brains ‘red alert’ status in a new environment.

The furniture’s rounded edges and softened corners mimic the sensation of bed, and the rocking chairs are on hand to lull you into a relaxed state of mind. The prints on the walls have also been chosen to be “inspirational dream fodder”.

The Zed Rooms also offer a “bespoke sleep menu”, rich in serotonin, melatonin and tryptophan, created in partnership with celebrity favourite, Detox Kitchen.

Co-founder of Cuckooz, Fabienne O’Neill, said: “The disruption of the accommodation sector, how we travel, where we stay and what we accept as the norm when spending time away from home has been a long time coming. At Cuckooz we strive to be at the forefront of innovation within the hospitality sector and to push the boundaries when it comes to guest experience.

Hotel design contributor and resident sleep psychologist at Simba, Hope Bastine, added: “Sleep is an all-encompassing experience and every element matters. The Zed Rooms are an elaborate infrastructure of symbiotic components, geared entirely to honing quality sleep. Fine tuning you overnight to navigate whatever life throws at you the following day.”