As I sit opposite Dr. Inmaculada Rodríguez Ulecia, an expert in clinical neurophysiology and sleep medicine, I feel doubtful. Can altering my diet, surroundings, and routines during a three-day vacation truly enhance my sleep over time?
Gran Canaria, one of the Spanish Canary Islands located off the coast of northwestern Africa, is often recognized for its beaches and lively nightlife. However, I’m being taken inland to the Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity, close to Maspalomas. In this southern area, it’s completely separate from the busy tourist areas. As we travel along the quiet roads, surrounded by green hills, golf courses, and the sounds of birds, I can almost sense my stress levels decreasing.
This serves as the setting for ‘Tempo,’ the Canary Islands’ initial sleep-oriented getaway, introduced by the hotel in partnership with Hospitales Universitarios San Roque. However, I’m told it’s “more than just a retreat” – it’s a three-day “lifestyle reboot” created to assist guests in re-establishing their connection with their sleep requirements.
During a period when an increasing number of people are experiencing sleep disturbances, the program seeks to integrate medical knowledge, personalized nutrition, and mindful techniques.
Many individuals, including myself, struggle with insufficient sleep—typically between five and six hours—which affects my mood and efficiency. Therefore, I’m interested in discovering whether professional guidance could bring about improvement.
My entire time here is focused on the program. The structure is comfortably comprehensive: a medical visit with Dr. Inmaculada, yoga sessions led by instructor Matteo Sandri, proper nutrition, and gentle yet impactful changes to the bedroom. From the beginning, it’s evident that this isn’t a spa vacation pretending to be wellness.
My room on the fifth floor was intentionally allocated because of the minimal noise. The air conditioning unit is designed to operate more quietly than other units to promote better sleep.
Other minor additions include blackout sleep masks, a Loftie alarm featuring over 100 sleep sounds such as white noise, nature sounds, and guided meditations, a red LED light intended to reduce distractions and assist in staying asleep, along with chamomile tea and lavender pillow spray—both designed to promote relaxation.
Nutrition plays a crucial role in enhancing sleep, as experts suggest. Here, it’s a buffet-style dining option (not all hotel guests are part of the program), but it offers particular foods that promote better rest.
Lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and fruits are believed to aid in the production of serotonin and melatonin, which are essential for sleep, so I concentrate on these foods during my stay instead of refined carbohydrates.
The emphasis is on healthy and conscious decisions – everything is vibrant, tasty, and completely different from the heavy, fast meals I occasionally choose in the UK.
The schedule is designed to mix excitement with downtime. One morning, I participate in a ‘calm yoga’ class, where I must admit, I initially find it hard to completely unwind. The following day, after making a deliberate choice to put my phone away and stop looking at emails, our ‘zen stretch’ session leaves me feeling more peaceful and in tune with my body.
Massages – a soft one called ‘sleep serenity’ and a deeper one named ‘dreamtime relaxation’ – help relieve any remaining tension in my shoulders. I often end up falling asleep during the session, which is unusual for me with my busy mind. During breaks between classes, I write in my journal by the rooftop infinity pool, swim slowly, and take walks through the resort’s green hills and golf courses. I’m also provided with a Fitbit – a device to monitor my sleep over three nights.
However, the location also appears to have an impact. Surrounded by a rural environment featuring no fewer than 227 palm trees at the resort, the setting seems to naturally soothe the nervous system.
The Gran Canaria I know is peaceful, filled with abundant sunshine (temperatures can still reach the upper 20s in late September and October). In this place, infinity pools blend with the horizon, and shaded terraces offer peaceful spots for contemplation. I also discover a hidden pool and appreciate the quiet.
The team is friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable without being intrusive, their presence enhances the sense of being well-cared for in every way. By the end of three days, Dr. Inmaculada reviews my results.
Sleep scores are measured on a scale of 100. The score is determined by factors such as the length of sleep, time spent awake, and the amounts of light, deep, and REM sleep achieved — the higher the score, the better, with 100 representing the ideal level of rest.
My score on the first night was 83 (after just one hour and 15 minutes of deep sleep), but by the last night, it increased to 86 (with two hours and seven minutes of deep sleep).
Dr. Inmaculada confirms my previous suspicions: “Qualitatively good sleep, but not sufficient in duration and with some irregularity in schedules,” she states in her report. My sleep stages—light, deep, and REM—are categorized as “adequate, with a good amount of deep sleep observed on the final night.”
She gives me some recommendations for when I return home; for instance, going to sleep earlier to achieve the seven-and-a-half to eight-hour sleep range, staying away from screens an hour before bed, and adding breathing exercises, reading, and herbal tea to my evening routine.
Even though it takes me nearly a full day to fully immerse myself in the experience and disconnect, the contrast in how I feel on day one versus day four is significant. Initially, I was filled with stress, constantly checking my phone, and struggled to unwind. Now, my mind is more relaxed, my body feels lighter, and I have more energy to return to regular life.
Going home, I feel more committed to concentrating on nutrition, time spent in nature, breathing exercises, yoga, and the environment where I sleep. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I experienced the deepest and most peaceful sleep of my life on the last night.
Certainly, I can’t bring Salobre and all its marvels back to my regular everyday life, but I’m aware that I’m departing with valuable tools, fresh insights, and methods to keep advancing on my sleep journey.
The accommodation, which includes the Tempo program, starts at €562 (£491) for three nights, €678 (£592) for five nights, or €764 (£667) for seven nights per person. Go to en.salobrehotel.com.
