Research has revealed an increase in the number of naked sleepwalking guests at the Travelodge hotel chains, and has led to the company's management giving hotel staff extra training in handling the awkward instances.

Through a "sleepwalkers guide" issued by the hotel, the staff has been advised to exercise some precautionary procedures, such as keeping a supply of towels at the reception desk, to prevent the situations from becoming more embarrassing.

Opodo quoted Travelodge sleep director Leigh McCarron, who revealed that sleepwalking is starting to become a rising trend in the U.K.

"We have seen an increased number of cases over the years so it is important that our staff know how to help sleepwalkers when it arises."

According to TimesOnline, Travelodge has revealed that in the past year, there have been 400 incidences of hotel guests experiencing somnambulism sans sleepwear - a seven-fold increase. The hotel said that the guests usually end up at the reception desk seeking directions to the bathroom, asking for a newspaper, or requesting a check-out.

An article by Opodo further revealed an instance of a nocturnal wanderer accidentally getting locked out of the hotel and afterwards getting arrested.

The hotel group has further said that the most probable causes of this unusual phenomenon included "stress, alcohol abuse and lack of sleep."

The research has concluded that, interestingly, 95 percent of the naked wanderers have been men.