itself and creating the ambiance the guest is seeking allows hoteliers to go a step beyond in selecting the wellness amenities right for their clientele .
The Gainsborough Bath Spa in the United Kingdom is another example of a property which remains true to the essence of the destination and blows regional competition “ out of the water ” with its exclusive wellness offerings . Unwinding in the purportedly healing natural thermal waters , for which Bath is historically known , is all that guests seek , as opposed to a high-energy soul cycle workout , more appropriate for a destination like NYC .
Another property going a step and a swim beyond to offer a truly unique wellness experience is Pangkor Laut Resort . This year , it introduced the first-annual Chapman ’ s Challenge , which consists of a 6.2km run around the private island and through its two million-year-old rainforest before concluding with a 1km swim at the award-winning Emerald Bay . The experience mirrors that of Colonel Chapman , who made his final escape from Emerald Bay during WWII .
Mia Kyricos , former Chief Brand Officer of Spa Finder Wellness , corroborates these findings . In an article for Hotel Executive , she delineates , “ we ’ re seeing that the top two luxury travel trends are travelers seeking more exotic , off-the-beatenpath destinations ( 62 % reporting ) and travelers seeking immersion in more unique , indigenous cultural experiences , vs . ‘ generic luxury ’ at destinations ”.
Samiya Nordeen , the founder of luxury Santhosh Retreats took this to heart , and selected off-the-beatenpath locations to expand her UKfounded wellness practice to include bespoke wellness retreats , playing with destinations to strengthen the draw for wellness lovers . She decided to offer wellness retreats in Ibiza and Sri Lanka , is also in talks to partner with the Carlton Hotel St . Moritz , drawing on the renowned nature of health and wellness long associated with Switzerland .
The Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa offers an extremely personalized take on wellness , encouraging guests to take surf lessons in the beach-driven destination with the GM of the property , an aficionado himself .
Hotel Arts Barcelona realized that the city ’ s visitors are extremely diverse and internationally based . Therefore , on International Wellness Day in 2016 , their spa introduced one of only six pure air bubbles in the world . Founded by a Barcelonabased skin care company , Natura Bisse , 43 The Spa was able to offer treatments in an environment free of toxicity , highlighting the lesser-known wellness culture of Barcelona . They also brought in local yoga social media influencers and juices made with locally sourced vegetables to create an experience that was holistic , authentic , and local .
There is much to be learned from investigating how wellness travel is evolving and how creative hotel teams are going that extra step to leave guests with a memorable experience that draws them back for future visits . Hoteliers must remember that just because a particular method or experience is right for a competitor , it may not be the right fit for their guest demographics . Keeping in mind local traditions , and the ambiance of the destination helps hoteliers to focus on the wellness niche of most interest to their guests .
About the author Rachel Peace is a young professional engaged in the world of luxury travel . From destination-specific challenges and opportunities , to big brandoriented needs , boutique offerings , or niche specialties , each day offers new opportunities and insights to learn best practices in the world of luxury accommodations . Regardless of the maturity of a hotel or brand , Rachel feels the mark of any true , luxury property and its staff is the ability to provide guests with exceptional , unforgettable experiences .
Santosh Camp
66 ILHA