With a $400,000 price tag, you would expect to sleep pretty soundly on top of the world’s most expensive bed that will go on sale in Dubai next month.
The exorbitant price tag may leave Hastens’ Grand Vividus out of reach for many but the Swedish company said demand for high-end beds has soared during the pandemic.
The top-of-the-range bed made from horsehair, wool and cotton to produce a cloud-like sleep may cost more than your average four-bed Dubai villa, but its creators insist it is worth every dirham.
And it is not only sports stars such as Tom Brady, Cristiano Ronaldo, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams snapping up the luxury beds.
Hollywood stars in need of beauty sleep are also turning to the 170-year-old company, which is the official supplier of beds to Sweden’s royal family.
Angelina Jolie, Sylvester Stallone, Cindy Crawford and Demi Moore are some of the names investing heavily in a good night’s kip.
“We have a very broad customer base,” said Ludovic Letrillart, Hastens’ regional manager in Dubai, who is preparing to open the UAE’s flagship store on Sheikh Zayed Road in April.
“Those who really care about their health and well-being, including wealthy individuals, want to invest in their sleep.
“We also have a particular category of customer who wants the finest things in life, from luxury homes to the fastest cars.
“Since the pandemic we have seen huge interest from people looking to improve their health any way they can.”
The Grand Vividus has been two years in the making and there is already a waiting list ahead of its UAE launch. The company teamed up with Canadian designer Ferris Rafauli to design it.
They are handmade 30 kilometres from Stockholm. It consists of a mattress and base. “There is a waiting list of four to six months for the most premium models,” Mr Letrillart said.
“They take a long time to produce, as they are bespoke and we have a limited number of craftsmen in Sweden. The Grand Vividus is the ultimate sleep solution that we have.”
Aside from the Vividus, the 2000T model is the company’s bestseller and costs a mere $55,000 (Dh200,000).
The BJX Luxury Topper is priced at $57,400 (Dh210,990) and has 37 anti-fungal layers spread across a top, middle and base mattress.
Each bed has a 25-year warranty with strands of horsetail hair acting to keep moisture away and circulate fresh air.
Millions of micro-springs absorb heat to reduce body temperature, to ensure you fall asleep quicker for a long, deep, uninterrupted slumber.
Due to the level of interest, the company will soon offer test-runs of the beds during a hotel stay.
Meanwhile, the eight hours’ sleep recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle have been in short supply for some during the pandemic, doctors said.
That is hampering the nation’s health and ability to work effectively and has been raised as an issue on World Sleep Day, March 19.
“Of late during the pandemic, we have received increased number of patients complaining about sleep disorders,” said Dr Mahesh Netravalkar, a pulmonologist at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Ain.
“Many patients have disorders due to anxiety arising out of personal problems, family issues or job loss fears due to the pandemic.
“When left untreated, the negative effects of sleep disorders can lead to further health consequences.”
Sleep deprivation has several repercussions on health including anxiety, irritability, forgetfulness and an increased risk of high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.
The drastic change in the community’s lifestyle and daily routine during the pandemic has also caused change to sleep patterns and reduced quality of sleep, experts said.
“Sleep is very important to improve physical and mental health,” said Dr Sawsan Humaida, an internal medicine specialist at Bareen International Hospital in Mohamed bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi.
“It lets your body and brain repair, restore and re-energise.
“If you don’t get enough sleep, you might experience side effects such as poor memory and focus, weakened immunity and mood changes.
“Sleep deficiency generally increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and even stroke.”
