China’s ‘sleep testers’ search hotels for a good night’s rest

Wu Jun has always been a light sleeper. But the part-time “sleep tester” has turned his sensitivity to light and noise, once a curse, into an opportunity to travel and make money.

“Sleep is far more than just a bed. Hotel doors, windows and curtains are all important factors that influence sleep quality,” says Wu, 37, who reviews hotels for Chinese travel website Qunar.

According to a survey conducted last year by the China Sleep Research Society, 38.2 per cent of urban adults have trouble sleeping, much higher than the world average of 27 per cent.

China’s growing middle class is increasingly conscious about health and quality of life. For the country’s upwardly mobile travellers, picking a hotel is no longer just about price.

Wu, who is based in Shanghai, is among some 10,000 part-time sleep testers recruited by Qunar nationwide since 2010.

The job requires testers to find hotels, stay for at least one night, and review them online by uploading photos and leaving comments about the quality of guest rooms, amenities and transportation.

“I write about the brand of bed sheets, quilt materials, air conditioner noise and light sources,” he says, adding that a bright digital clock beside his pillow is enough to keep him from falling asleep.