What is ‘sleep divorce’? Why couples are sleeping apart on vacation.
For most couples, a romantic getaway includes fancy dinner reservations and sunset strolls along the beach. However, for a growing number of lovers, it also means ending the night in separate beds.
According to Hilton’s recently released 2025 Trends Report, 37% of people are choosing to sleep in separate beds from their partners while on vacation, a rising trend dubbed as “sleep divorce.” Although it may seem taboo, over two-thirds of respondents said they actually sleep better when they’re alone.
“This shift highlights a growing awareness of the importance of a good night’s sleep while on the road, as travelers seek environments that maximize rest,” Amanda Al-Masri, global vice president of wellness at Hilton, told USA TODAY. “Prioritizing self-care and wellness while traveling has been a rising trend for some time – last year, Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report found that the desire to rest and recharge is the number one reason people want to travel.”
While the word “divorce” or the idea that your partner is the thing getting in the way of a good night’s sleep may imply some sign of relationship trouble, sleeping apart may do the opposite and foster a more meaningful connection between partners, according to Fatemeh Farahan, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Los Angeles who has seen more of her clients consider sleeping apart.
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Since everyone has specific sleep preferences, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sharing a bed for every relationship. “Couples have higher satisfaction in their relationship when they honor their needs first and are not going by a myth and forcing the idea the old adage that you have to sleep together to actually be intimate – it’s not true,” said Farahan.
Here’s why you may want to consider sleeping in separate beds on your next vacation.
Sleep your way to a better relationship
Imagine this, Farahan posed: you’re on a trip to Paris with your partner, so you obviously want to do all the things: museums, the Eiffel Tower, endless croissants. By the end of the day, you’re both exhausted. However, one of you is a night owl who stays up looking at their phone, while the other is a light sleeper who gets irritated at the blue light in their face. It’s not exactly the makings of a romantic vacation in the City of Lights.
Sleeping apart can be a wise solution. “You don’t have to deal with that real close proximity to give you that space to unwind the way you need to,” she said. (This goes for sleeping at home, too.)
This especially rings true for those who deal with snoring, conflicting sleep schedules, sleep disorders and different sleep temperature preferences – the main reasons why couples hit the hay in separate beds, according to a survey by Naturepedic of 400 people in healthy relationships who do not share a bed.
Research supports the idea that if sleeping separately improves rest, it can also positively impact the quality of a relationship. A 2017 study from The Ohio State University found that couples with sleep problems struggle to regulate their emotions, leading to more conflict, and can be more hostile to each other. When our brain is sleep-deprived, we often end up feeling more stressed, depressed and anxious, which can negatively impact our relationships, according to a 2013 study.
When we’re well-rested, our mood improves and we can better show up for our partner. “They actually make more time to make sure they have their moments instead of it being forced,” Farahan said.
Farahan suggests couples curious about sleeping apart can start by setting up small rituals to foster “a few minutes of closeness” – such as a good night kiss or having their morning coffee together – before going their separate ways.
“The message for me is separate beds can be a really empowering choice for couples who see it as a way to prioritize both rest and connection,” said Farahan.
“It’s really about recognizing that sometimes healthiest relationship choices are the ones that acknowledge both partners’ unique needs.”
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