Sleeping on the job is generally frowned upon, but at Novotel Sydney Darling Square, it was positively encouraged.
I was there for Novotel’s Sleep School with Australian sleep expert and Novotel Sleep Ambassador Olivia Arezzolo, an experience that brought to life one element of the hotel brand’s new global Longevity Everyday strategy.
The idea is refreshingly uncomplicated. Rather than longevity being the domain of expensive retreats and extreme wellness routines, Novotel wants to make it part of everyday life through four pillars: Eat, Sleep, Move and Meet.
And sleep seemed a very good place to start.
Instead of a formal lecture, our evening began gathered cosily around a table discussing our own relationships with sleep. It became surprisingly personal, with a couple of guests incredibly vulnerable in sharing their individual sleep struggles.
Olivia’s advice, thankfully, didn’t involve turning our lives upside down.
Stop eating three hours before bed. Dim the lights an hour before bedtime. Have a warm shower. Create a regular evening ritual and put the phone away – especially in the shower!
Wake at 3am with your brain suddenly determined to solve all of life’s problems?
If you haven’t fallen back asleep within around 20 minutes, Olivia recommends getting up and meditating rather than remaining in bed becoming increasingly frustrated and maybe try a brain dump where you commit all your nocturnal thoughts to paper!
Morning habits are equally important: get up at roughly the same time each day, then aim for 10 minutes of natural light and movement.
For those of us frequently crossing time zones, there were useful jet lag hacks too.
Switch mentally to your destination time as soon as you board, skip the alcohol, drink plenty of water, use an eye mask and, on arrival, resist the temptation to collapse into bed. Stay awake until local bedtime.
Our schooling continued with a wellness-focused dinner at Pumphouse Restaurant before changing into warm, comfortable clothes for a guided sound bath.
An hour lying down while someone actively encourages you to do absolutely nothing? Possibly my favourite hotel activity ever.
But there’s a much bigger strategy behind our very relaxing evening.
Novotel’s Longevity Everyday is designed around the idea that small positive actions, repeated consistently, can have a significant cumulative effect.
The philosophy extends across food, sleep, movement and human connection, with new programming, products and partnerships being introduced throughout 2026 and beyond.
Sleep, for example, will see new eco-conceived premium beds and elevated bedding progressively rolled out globally through to 2030.
Novotel is also increasing healthier, plant-forward dining choices and expanding ways for guests to incorporate movement and meaningful connection into their stays.
Central to the initiative is the Novotel 37 Collective, a growing international group of experts, athletes and creators sharing achievable ways to improve wellbeing.
And why 37? Improve by just one per cent each day and, mathematically, that improvement compounds approximately 37-fold over a year.
It’s a clever reminder that longevity doesn’t necessarily require perfection, deprivation or a complete lifestyle overhaul.
Sometimes better wellbeing might begin with something as simple as turning down the lights, putting away your phone and getting a decent night’s sleep.
Now that’s a wellness regime I might actually manage.
