In Conversation with James Lazar, Head of Operations at Owl + Lark…

Owl + Lark is a London-based sleep company that produces high-end mattresses and bedding for both consumers and luxury hotels. Founded in 2020, the brand was born from a family business with over 20 years of experience supplying furniture and materials to five-star hotels and luxury residences. This deep hospitality background, combined with cutting-edge sleep science, allows us to create products that deliver an exceptional sleep experience.

The idea for Owl + Lark came after our founder, Hafiz Shariff, realised that despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, cutting corners on sleep was affecting every aspect of his life. Searching for real solutions, he found that most sleep products failed to address the core problem. Determined to change that, he assembled a team of sleep scientists, engineers, and designers to rethink sleep from the ground up.

We design around sleep first. Every decision is made with sleep quality, psychology, and human ergonomics in mind—nothing is included unless it enhances rest and recovery.

Our first mattress was 18-months in the making. We analysed every material and construction method, blending the best of modern technology and heritage craftsmanship, but only where it improves sleep.

Meticulous attention to detail runs through everything we do, from material selection to engineering and manufacturing, ensuring quality, durability, and exceptional comfort.

We prioritise durability as the foundation of sustainability. By carefully selecting materials and designing products that last, we reduce waste and the need for frequent replacements.

A great example is our bedding. We use custom-woven Lyocell fabric, which requires 1/20th of the water and energy of cotton. It’s then treated with Polygiene, a silver ion technology that actively fights bacteria, keeping sheets fresher for longer and reducing the need for frequent washing.

Sleep quality is becoming a bigger priority in hospitality, with hotels moving beyond simple pillow menus to fully optimised sleep experiences. Guests are now actively choosing hotels based on the quality of rest they can expect, fuelling the rise of sleep tourism and a greater focus on wellness.

At Owl + Lark, we see the future of luxury hospitality evolving in two key ways: technology-driven sleep optimisation and sleep-conscious design. We’re developing intelligent sleep technology to help people understand, and improve sleep like never before. At the same time, we’re working with designers to integrate sleep and wellness into hotels from the ground up, ensuring spaces are crafted for restorative rest.

Sustainability is another major shift. Increasingly longer stays mean guests are more conscious of waste, leading to a move away from daily linen changes and toward eco-friendly, long-lasting sleep products. Our focus on durable, high-performance materials ensures hotels can meet these expectations while maintaining luxury and comfort.

We’re pioneering new in-room sleep technology, developing advanced sleep tracking and environmental monitoring systems to help hotels optimise their sleep spaces. This technology is being developed in partnership with Sigma Connectivity, one of Europe’s leading firms in connected devices.

Alongside our technology innovations, we’re expanding our range of luxury sleep products. While our retail collection focuses on mattresses and key accessories, we offer a broader selection for hotels, including mattress protectors, pillows, and bedding designed for long-term durability and comfort.

We’re also growing our presence in independent retail stores, bringing our unique blend of heritage craftsmanship and cutting-edge sleep science to more and more consumers.