I actually like it a great deal more, considering that before once you used up two to three rests you were waiting an hour per level to rest, this is much more player friendly and realistic. After all, it does premote partying in the sense that if you have one or two clerics and one or two mages then you can alternate forces of fire and healing as the warriors proceed. I think it will go a long ways to helping with team work. Besides, would rather wait 18 minutes as opposed to 12+hours in game, which is. . oh. . .36+ minutes.
And, it will alot for some extra rp time as players are taking turns resting,guarding, and so forth. Of course, all could rest at once, wait for the monsters to eat them in thier sleep :-p