Influencer reveals he's been paid £44k to SLEEP in some of the world's most luxurious hotels - where he's been lavished with 24K gold cappuccinos and jewellery worth thousands
- Alex Shannon, 35, who was born in London, launched Instagram @followthenap
- Influencer, who lives in LA, has stayed in some of world's most expensive hotels
- Highlights include trying a 24k gold cappuccino and wearing £36k of jewellery
An influencer has revealed he's earned a staggering £44,000 in just 18 months after being paid to nap his way around the world in luxurious hotels.
Alex Shannon, 35, who was born in London but is now based in Los Angeles, launched his Instagram account @followthenap over a year-and-a-half ago - and has since been inundated with messages from hotels, luggage companies, airlines, and pyjama brands eager to work with him.
While the influencer, who still works as an Editorial Director, isn't yet a millionaire - he certainly lives that lifestyle and has stayed in the likes of the Four Seasons in San Francisco and Armani in Dubai.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, he recalled some of his highlights and explained: 'At San Francisco Proper, they made every single item on their breakfast menu for me to sample.'
'At Beverly Wilshire, I was given over £36,000 of jewellery from Jason of Beverly Hills to wear (and photograph) during my stay. And of course I've tried the 24K gold cappuccino and Home Alone ice cream sundae!'
Alex Shannon, 35, who was born in London but lives in Los Angeles, has earned £44, 000 being paid to sleep in some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. Pictured, Mezzanine in Tulum, Mexico, August 2018
The influencer launched his Instagram account @followthenap over a year-and-a-half ago - and has since been inundated with hotels asking him to review their rooms. Pictured, in 'Le Metropolitan', Paris, August 2019
Alex earns an income from staying at some of the world's most expensive hotels - but still works as an Editorial Director. Pictured, Cadogan Gardens in London, January 2019
While working as a creative director, the 35-year-old saw a gap in the market to do something fun and tongue-in-cheek on Instagram. Pictured, Taj Dubai in Dubai, June 2018
Alex revealed the idea for his Instagram account came to him in his sleep. Pictured, in the Veranda Suite in Beverly Wilshire, LA, on October 2018
Despite what his social media pages may suggest, Alex, who boasts 14.5k Instagram followers, wasn't born into wealth - but says he's always been ambitious, creative and enjoyed luxurious experiences.
'I've worked as an Editorial/Creative Director (both freelance and full-time) in the fashion industry for the past 10 plus years, and as such, oversaw a lot of social media and influencers marketing for major brands,' he explained.
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'I realised that so many influencers create almost identical content and that there was a major gap in the market, and the potential to do something really unique, fun and tongue-in-cheek.'
Alex was keen to find an innovative and entertaining way to live his dream - and to share it with other people.
Alex's top hotels
Mandarin Oriental Paris - Parisian Apartment (£28, 170 per night)
At 4,628 square feet, it's one of the largest hotel suites in Paris, with four bedrooms, a kitchen, two living rooms and a massive landscaped terrace overlooking the city's rooftops.
Mandarin Oriental Paris - Penthouse Suite (£13, 296 per night)
A 2,713 square-foot suite with two floors and an elevator (if you're too lazy to climb the stairs to bed)! It has a terrace, living room, dining room, kitchen, bar, study and private gym. The ensuite bathroom has Eiffel Tower views as well as two steam rooms and a bath!
Amangiri in Utah (starting at £2253 per night)
Overall, probably the most relaxing place I've ever stayed. It's set on 600 acres in the Colorado Plateau and feels like another planet. Every room opens out onto the most spectacular natural settings ever.
Armani Hotels in Dubai and Milan
Both have interactive pillow menus so you can order your perfect bedding from an in-room iPad. In Dubai you can also wake up to a 24k gold-topped cappuccino!
Alex said the 24k gold cappuccino is one of his highlights. Pictured, in Armani, Dubai, June 2018
Al Maha in Dubai
Luxury, Bedouin-style tented suites, all with their own private swimming pools overlooking the desert in Dubai.
The beds are custom made, super sized and incredibly comfortable. It was absolutely unreal to wake up and watch camels, gazelle and other animals just wandering across the desert in front of you. One of the most peaceful places I've stayed.
Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire
Stayed in the room where Meghan Markle allegedly stayed the night before her wedding and enjoyed an in-bed afternoon tea.
The Plaza New York
I did the 'Home Alone 2' experience, where an ice cream cart comes to your room so that you can enjoy a massive sundae in bed. It was everything I hoped and more!
Beverly Wilshire Hotel – Veranda Suite (£2,817 per night)
One of the most unique suites I've ever stayed in. It's accessed by a hidden entrance and occupies an entire floor of the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
The suite includes a 2,140 square feet terrace overlooking Rodeo Drive. On the terrace you can spend the night in a glamping tent, equipped with a queen-size bed in Four Seasons linens furnishings, including a crystal chandelier, marble lamps, fur rugs and antique nightstands.
Staying in this suite also provides you with access to a 2019 Maserati Levante during your stay.
Beverly Wilshire Hotel - Presidential Suite (£16, 098 per night)
A 4,000 square-foot suite that was recently restored, costing £1.2M. Staying in the suite comes with use of a luxury car, dedicated personal concierge, complimentary airport transfer to and from the hotel, fully stocked refrigerator with favourite food items and five hours of personal time per week - including a choice of spa treatments, personal trainer, fashion stylist or hair and make-up artist.
Taj Dubai Presidential Suite (£4, 024 per night)
This suite is 7,319 square feet and occupies the entire 35th floor of the hotel. It's so big that I got lost in it several times. The room has its own library, gym, yoga studio and a giant bathtub that looks out onto the Burj Khalifa.
The Instagram star said he has always been passionate about sleep and his family and friends have often joke he can nap anywhere. Pictured, Le Metropolitan in Paris, March 2018
For Alex, combining travel and sleep is a 'dream come true.' Pictured, Son Mas in Mallorca, August 2019
Alex has woken up with some of the most extraordinary views in the world - including this one at the Four Seasons in San Francisco, August 2019
'The idea for @followthenap actually came to me in my sleep (seriously),' he explained.
'I've always been passionate about sleep and it's a big joke amongst my family and friends that I can take a nap anywhere and everywhere.'
Alex, who has always loved to travel, thought it would be a 'dream come true' to combine the two and get to experience (and rate and review) the most amazing and luxurious places to sleep in the world.
'I took a chance to see if I could live the lifestyle I dreamed of and to also create something entertaining at the same time,' he added.
And the influencer says he still finds it interesting that people assume he's this 'insanely rich guy who just travels for fun.'
'While I'd love that to be true, the reality is very different,' said Alex. 'I still work full-time and do this on the side as a means to experience a lifestyle I wouldn't be able to otherwise.'
In addition, the influencer says people fail to consider the work that goes into getting a great shot.
'There's so much planning involved,' explained Alex. 'You need the right location, props, clothing, photographer, lighting and perfect timing.'
'There are always unexpected roadblocks - torrential rain, broken lenses, hotel mix ups or even unexpected desert animals - but adapting to those things becomes part of the fun.'
'Once you get the shot, you still have to make selects, retouch, edit, write a great caption and then contend with Instagram's algorithm.'
In terms of how much the influencer is paid to stay, he says it varies massively based on the client, number of posts and length of collaboration - but it's a significant portion of his income.
'Overall, I've likely been paid in the tens of thousands to sleep,' he said. 'Sometimes I pay for the stay myself if I know I'm going to get amazing content, other times the stay is paid for, and sometimes the stay is paid for and I'm compensated as well.'
The adventurer still works full-time but does this on the side to experience a lifestyle he wouldn't be able to otherwise. Pictured, Mondrian in Los Angeles, December 2018
One of the many places Alex has slept includes the Dubai desert (pictured), where he took a nap in June 2018
Alex was photographed resting his eyes in Al Maha in Dubai (pictured left and right) back June 2018 - as several hot air balloons took off in the background
Alex has just partnered with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and visited their Paris property. Pictured, the penthouse suite in August 2019
He continued: 'For me, the true value is in getting to stay in places that I would never be able to experience otherwise - and to share them with my followers.'
Alex has just partnered with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and visited their Paris property.
'Their new Parisian Apartment is like nothing I've experienced anywhere else on my travels and definitely has the number one spot as the most amazing hotel suite I've ever seen,' he said.
'It's the most luxury I've been offered. I arrived at my suite to find a table full of gifts: chilled pink champagne, fresh fruit pastries, flowers, designer aftershave, a hand-written note and a chocolate sculpture of the Eiffel Tower.'
Pictured, The Presidential Suite in Beverly Wilshire in LA, April 2019
Alex also travels in luxury. Pictured. he enjoyed a glass of champagne as he boarded a private jet in LA in July 2019 (pictured left)
The influencer told how he finds it interesting that people assume he's this 'insanely rich guy who just travels for fun.' Pictured at the SLS hotel in Las Vegas, September 2018
Alex has even been fortunate to kick back and relax at the Versace Mansion in Miami. Pictured in May 2018
He continued: 'I was given a full tour of the hotel by the Marketing Team, and when I got back to my suite there was a cart filled with every indulgent cake and pastry that the hotel makes, plus more champagne.'
'I also got to sample their various breakfasts, including their French, Tokyo and Hong Kong-themed offerings. I was also offered a personalised guide of things to experience in Paris during my stay. The service and level of attention was unbelievable.'
'Another of Alex's top hotel stays was Amangiri in Utah. Everything from the location to the design to the amenities to the service was absolutely exceptional.'
'It was like heaven on earth! I'm dying to visit more Aman properties around the world.'
On some occasions Alex will pay for his own stay if he knows he'll get good content. Pictured, Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire, February 2019
Alex took a moment to have a lay down when he visited Dubai aquarium back in June 2018 (pictured)
Alex is living the dream and loves to share his hotel stays with his 14.5k Instagram followers. Pictured, The Cape, Cabo, August 2018
Alex (pictured) with a glass of champagne on the Virgin Atlantic upper class bed back in May 2018
Alex arrived at his suite at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris (pictured) on August 2019 to find a table full of gifts - including chilled pink champagne, designer aftershave and a chocolate sculpture of the Eiffel Tower
Alex has always loved taking naps - so combining that with travelling around the world is the perfect combination. Pictured, Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire, February 2019
Alex took 'a bath with a view' to new levels when he visited Andaz West Hollywood hotel, November 2018
Alex put his feet up and took in the view - before falling asleep at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai (pictured) on June 2018
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