Crowne Plaza has become first hotel chain in the world to trial what it’s termed circadian lighting to help its guests sleep better.
The task light luminaires feature proprietary technology which either adds and removes the blue 480 nanometers wavelength of light – believed to be the key wavelength of light that impacts on the circadian rhythm – to achieve optimal biological benefits.
The hotel at Atlanta Airport has installed special free-standing lights on bedside cabinets in a pilot study into how the right light spectrum can assist guests in maximising their sleep, says the chain’s owners IHG.
IHG has partnered with Healthe by Lighting Science to trial the technology and gauge feedback from guests.
Lighting Science says its patented spectrum technologies “allow access to the alertness and focus-enhancing spectrum during the day, and then easily change to the warm, sleep-enhancing spectrum at night”.
Guests can change the colour of the lighting in their rooms to blue, red, green, yellow or ‘energise or relax’. The 480nm is either present to boost alertness, or absent to signal it’s time to prepare for sleep.
Two dual-spectrum luminaires are installed in each of the rooms.
IHG says lighting can help to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm or 24-hour internal body clock which effects important biological functions such as sleep, hormone levels, body temperature and metabolism.
Brian McGuinness, IHG’s head of global guest experience says: “We want to make sure our guests are getting the best night’s sleep possible across our 5,600 hotels and portfolio of more than 15 brands, so we’re continually testing ways we can enhance the guest experience, loyalty and ultimately, owner value.
“Our circadian lighting technology pilot is the latest example of the work we are doing to innovate the guest experience. We’re excited to be the first hotel company to pilot this product and we are already working on what’s coming next.”
