
Simba’s new sleep retreat
New research from sleep-tech firm Simba has revealed that a staggering two-thirds of Brits get less than three hours of daylight exposure daily during the colder months – and it’s wreaking havoc on our health.
This limited exposure can severely impact sleep quality, mental health and overall well-being, highlighting the need for greater daylight awareness. But Simba has a bright idea to turn it all around… quite literally.
They have dreamed up a unique getaway called the Breaking Dawn retreat, designed specifically to leverage daylight to improve guests’ slumber.
The sunrise solution
Set to open in July 2025, the retreat will sit at Ness Point in Lowestoft – the UK’s easternmost point and the first spot in the country to see the sunrise each day.
The retreat’s four sleep-optimised suites will feature dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows and precision-timed blinds that rise with the sun, gradually bathing guests in “light drenching” to help them wake up naturally.
“Morning light is the single most important ingredient for setting our circadian clock. It helps our body clock match nature’s day-night cycle. This makes our sleep routine stronger, keeping us awake in the daytime and ready for sleep at night. At night, light can disturb your sleep, but in the morning, it can be the golden ticket to better rest.” says Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity.
“Just as going to sleep in a dark room is vital, studies have shown exposure to sunlight at the right time can help us sleep in the evening because it helps reset your body’s inner sleep clock. Exposure to natural scenery has also been shown to have a positive impact on emotions and performance, while views of blue spaces may help you sleep for longer.”

Feeling the effects of waking up on the “wrong” side of the bed can ruin a day. Well, now experts are suggesting you should consider waking up on the *right* side of the UK. Suffolk to be precise.
Guests staying at the boutique getaway, which its designers hope will eventually open in July 2025, will wake up at Ness Point, Lowestoft – the easternmost point in the UK and the first place in Britain to greet the morning sun.
With dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing, precision-automated blinds timed to rise exactly at sunrise will steadily “light drench” each of the four sleep-optimised suites – encouraging guests to awaken gradually
Plans for the first-of-its-kind sleep retreat follow new research from Simba, revealing nearly a third of Brits (33%) get less than THREE hours of daylight exposure daily in summer, surging to two-thirds of adults in winter. This limited exposure can severely impact sleep quality, mental health and overall well-being, highlighting the need for greater daylight awareness.
“Morning light is the single most important ingredient for setting our circadian clock. It helps our body clock match nature’s day-night cycle. This makes our sleep routine stronger, keeping us awake in the daytime and ready for sleep at night. says Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity.
Simba’s research highlights *just* how much we need more daylight in our lives. While one-third of adults (33%) don’t even get three hours of daylight exposure during summer, this figure leaps to two-thirds in winter. It’s no surprise, then, that nearly half of Brits (42%) say they now prioritise rest, sleep, and reconnecting with nature when planning their holidays.
Designed for a perfect night’s sleep
The Breaking Dawn retreat has been meticulously designed to create the ideal environment for rest and rejuvenation. Each of the four suites will feature noise-absorbing pulp panels to block out disruptive sounds, while textured organic flooring is infused with calming scents like lavender and peppermint to promote relaxation.

Simba Breaking Dawn Retreat – If your dream holiday nightlife involves uninterrupted REM sleep, travellers looking to improve their shut-eye could soon be waking up in this ultra-lux UK sleep retreat designed specifically to leverage daylight to improve guests’ slumber.
Feeling the effects of waking up on the “wrong” side of the bed can ruin a day. Well, now experts are suggesting you should consider waking up on the *right* side of the UK. Suffolk to be precise.
Guests staying at the boutique getaway, which its designers hope will eventually open in July 2025, will wake up at Ness Point, Lowestoft – the easternmost point in the UK and the first place in Britain to greet the morning sun.
With dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing, precision-automated blinds timed to rise exactly at sunrise will steadily “light drench” each of the four sleep-optimised suites – encouraging guests to awaken gradually
Plans for the first-of-its-kind sleep retreat follow new research from Simba, revealing nearly a third of Brits (33%) get less than THREE hours of daylight exposure daily in summer, surging to two-thirds of adults in winter. This limited exposure can severely impact sleep quality, mental health and overall well-being, highlighting the need for greater daylight awareness.
“Morning light is the single most important ingredient for setting our circadian clock. It helps our body clock match nature’s day-night cycle. This makes our sleep routine stronger, keeping us awake in the daytime and ready for sleep at night. says Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity.
The star of the show is Simba’s award-winning Hybrid Ultra mattresses, paired with cool-touch pillows and cashmere duvets. These luxury bedding elements are engineered to encourage REM-rich sleep, which is essential for mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical health.
As the evening sets in, candle-lit hurricane lamps will replace harsh lighting, reducing blue light exposure and helping to maintain natural circadian rhythms.

Simba Breaking Dawn Retreat – If your dream holiday nightlife involves uninterrupted REM sleep, travellers looking to improve their shut-eye could soon be waking up in this ultra-lux UK sleep retreat designed specifically to leverage daylight to improve guests’ slumber.
Feeling the effects of waking up on the “wrong” side of the bed can ruin a day. Well, now experts are suggesting you should consider waking up on the *right* side of the UK. Suffolk to be precise.
Guests staying at the boutique getaway, which its designers hope will eventually open in July 2025, will wake up at Ness Point, Lowestoft – the easternmost point in the UK and the first place in Britain to greet the morning sun.
With dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing, precision-automated blinds timed to rise exactly at sunrise will steadily “light drench” each of the four sleep-optimised suites – encouraging guests to awaken gradually
Plans for the first-of-its-kind sleep retreat follow new research from Simba, revealing nearly a third of Brits (33%) get less than THREE hours of daylight exposure daily in summer, surging to two-thirds of adults in winter. This limited exposure can severely impact sleep quality, mental health and overall well-being, highlighting the need for greater daylight awareness.
“Morning light is the single most important ingredient for setting our circadian clock. It helps our body clock match nature’s day-night cycle. This makes our sleep routine stronger, keeping us awake in the daytime and ready for sleep at night. says Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity.
Wellness workshops & sleep science
Guests at the retreat won’t just sleep better – they’ll learn how to sustain these benefits long-term. Simba will offer a series of wellness workshops, including Nap Yoga, Sleep Ritual Creation, and Sunrise Reset, to educate visitors on how to optimise their sleep cycles.
The retreat will also provide nutritious breakfasts packed with sleep-friendly ingredients like melatonin, tryptophan, and Vitamin D, designed to help reset the body’s internal clock.

Simba Breaking Dawn Retreat – If your dream holiday nightlife involves uninterrupted REM sleep, travellers looking to improve their shut-eye could soon be waking up in this ultra-lux UK sleep retreat designed specifically to leverage daylight to improve guests’ slumber.
Feeling the effects of waking up on the “wrong” side of the bed can ruin a day. Well, now experts are suggesting you should consider waking up on the *right* side of the UK. Suffolk to be precise.
Guests staying at the boutique getaway, which its designers hope will eventually open in July 2025, will wake up at Ness Point, Lowestoft – the easternmost point in the UK and the first place in Britain to greet the morning sun.
With dramatic floor-to-ceiling glazing, precision-automated blinds timed to rise exactly at sunrise will steadily “light drench” each of the four sleep-optimised suites – encouraging guests to awaken gradually
Plans for the first-of-its-kind sleep retreat follow new research from Simba, revealing nearly a third of Brits (33%) get less than THREE hours of daylight exposure daily in summer, surging to two-thirds of adults in winter. This limited exposure can severely impact sleep quality, mental health and overall well-being, highlighting the need for greater daylight awareness.
“Morning light is the single most important ingredient for setting our circadian clock. It helps our body clock match nature’s day-night cycle. This makes our sleep routine stronger, keeping us awake in the daytime and ready for sleep at night. says Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity.
A healthy trend
“Sleep was once considered the dullest thing you could do on holiday, now it’s celebrated as an essential reset for the mind and body,” explains Simba CEO Steve Reid. “People are increasingly aware of the harmful effects of high cortisol levels linked to stress and disrupted sleep patterns. Seeking serene destinations naturally helps lower this stress hormone, helping us to relax and rejuvenate. This trend has made travel destinations promoting quality sleep sought-after havens.
“With more of us struggling with sleep, quality rest has become a precious commodity. It’s essential for your body and brain to function properly and can add years to your life. As well as improving sleep, morning light exposure has been linked to boosting alertness, sharpening cognitive function and overall mental well-being. It helps us feel more energised and focused, making it easier to tackle the day! At Simba, we’re constantly exploring new ways to innovate with our technology and reimagine experiences. We have reached out to local authorities, and anticipate further updates in the near future.”
A coastal escape like no other
If the sleep retreat receives the council’s approval, stays at Simba’s Breaking Dawn retreat will begin at £295 per night. For those seeking a getaway that combines design, nature, and wellness, this Suffolk retreat promises an experience as refreshing as the morning sun itself.







