In response to customers who find it difficult to sleep on their own when travelling solo, Travelodge has created "Cuddillow" the UK's first cuddling pillow.
A survey of 2000 solitary travellers by the UK hotel chain identified 57% of respondents felt lonely, sleeping without their partner when away from home. Sixteen per cent found it difficult to fall asleep and nine per cent of respondents felt scared sleeping on their own.
Sixty three per cent of those questioned said they needed a bedtime cuddle and 28% of respondents resorted to hugging a pillow to aid sleep. Eight per cent of respondents claimed cuddling a pillow was a good substitute to a partner's hug.
To help lone guests attain a good night sleep, Travelodge has created the "Cuddillow" a bespoke cuddling pillow which is two and half feet in length and has two arms for guests to snuggle into. The "Cuddillow" will be trialled in hotels in Newcastle, Durham, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. It will be free of charge for guests to hire.
The survey also revealed eight per cent of lonely female travellers spray their pillow or night clothes with their partner's aftershave when staying away from home. In comparison only three per cent of men resort to this. However more men at 20% admitted to cuddling a teddy bear in bed in contrast to just 15% of women when their partner is not with them.
Corinne Sweet, Relationship Psychologist said: "It's understandable that people find it hard to fall asleep when away from their partner or spouse. Most couples fall asleep with some physical contact, or proximity, which gives them a sense of well-being, comfort and safety. Familiar sleep routines, smells (like aftershave), and other sleeping habits help in achieving a good night's sleep. Sleeping alone whilst away, can seriously disturb your sleep leading to a restless night. Some people feel more anxious, even scared, without their partner to snuggle up to. So cuddling a pillow for comfort and relaxation can certainly help lone travellers get a good night's sleep."
Wayne Munnelly, Travelodge Sleep Director said: "Our research identified staying away on your own can be lonely, stressful and it plays havoc with your sleep routine. In response to our findings we have developed the "Cuddillow" - It's a substitute hug to help you to get a good night sleep".
Respondents were also asked which celebrity they would most like to cuddle up to in bed. The poll revealed most men would want to cuddle up to Angelina Jolie, followed by Kelly Brook and Jennifer Aniston. For women it was Johnny Depp followed by George Clooney and Robbie Williams.
Top ten celebrities men would like to cuddle up to in bed are:
1. Angelina Jolie
2. Kelly Brook
3. Jennifer Anniston
4. Cat Deeley
5. Keira Knightly
6. Shilpa Shetty
7. Beyonce Knowles
8. Cheryl Tweedy
9. Emma Bunton
10. Liz Hurley
Top Ten celebrities women would like to cuddle up to in bed are:
1. Johnny Depp
2. George Clooney
3. Robbie Williams
4. Brad Pitt
5. Colin Firth
6. Dermot O'Leary
7. Orlando Bloom
8. Justin Timberlake
9. Colin Farrell
10.Jason Statham
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For further information please contact:
Shakila Ahmed
PR Manager
Direct Line: 01844 35 8638
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Notes To Editor:
A selection of images are available upon request
The research was conducted by Onepoll.com amongst 2000 UK solitary travellers
The Cuddillow is free of charge for guests to hire from reception
The Cuddillow will be trialled at the following hotels:
Newcastle Central Travelodge - 4 Forster Street, Nr Quayside, Newcastle ,Tyne & Wear, NE1 2NH
Durham Travelodge - Station Lane, Gilesgatge, Dunham, County Durham, DH1
Leeds Vicar Lane Travelodge - 97 Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS1 6PJ
Manchester Central Travelodge - Blackfriars Street, Manchester, M3 5AL
Birmingham Fort Dunlop - Fort Parkway, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9FD
Travelodge offers rooms from £26 per night please visit www.travelodge.co.uk for further details
As the first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985, Travelodge currently has over 300 hotels in the UK, Spain and Ireland in city centres, near attractions and airports