A womb with a view: Is this the most disturbing hotel room ever conceived?

The 'Woom Rooms' [sic] at the Cuckooz aparthotel in Shoreditch promises to help guests 'sleep like a baby' - BILLY BOLTON

The hotels industry has taken a turn for the Freudian with the launch of a ‘womb room’ in East London.

With their soft, pink walls and dim lighting, the new ‘rooms’ – which are more akin to pods, installed in the Zed Rooms at the Cuckooz aparthotel in Shoreditch – have been designed to induce the deep slumber of the unborn by harnessing the womb’s comforting qualities.

For a sense of complete immersion, even the furniture has been crafted in the style of a human’s internal anatomy, with rounded edges and springy surfaces creating a comfortable and safe environment in which to curl up (presumably in the foetal position).

The idea was conceived through a union between Cuckooz and Simba, a London-based ‘sleep technology company’ and mattress manufacturer, before spending a wholly appropriate nine months in development.

The womb-like sleeping pod spent nine months in development following its conception by Cuckooz and mattress specialist Simba Credit: BILLY BOLTON

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“If you’ve ever noticed that you don’t sleep as well in a hotel, you’re not alone,” says Hope Bastine, the resident sleep psychologist at Simba.

“Scientists recognised the ‘first night effect’ over a decade ago, where one half of the brain unconsciously acts as a ‘night watchman’ staying more alert when in unfamiliar surroundings. With this in mind, tapping into the emotional and physical, no stone has been left unturned trying to soothe the effects of this in the design architecture of our new cutting-edge sleep retreat.”

Other sleep-inducing ideas have also been adopted in an effort to help guests on their way to the Land of Nod: the rooms are infused with calming scents and colour schemes, air-purifying plants for eliminating toxins, and soothing background noises.

For extra drowsiness, Cuckooz has worked with Detox Kitchen to provide guests with a number of melatonin-rich recipe suggestions, as well as meditation sessions via the iPad’s Calm app.

“We strive to be at the forefront of innovation within the hospitality sector and to push the boundaries when it comes to guest experience,” says Cuckooz co-founder, Fabienne O’Neill.

“Design and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. We believe our homes should be more than an apartment.''