As we enter the golden age of wellness tourism - the industry is growing exponentially and will be worth US$1.4 trillion by 2027 according to the Global Wellness Institute - luxury hotel brands are looking to capitalise on the trend by creating next-level wellness experiences to lure in new customers.
"Travellers nowadays are savvy and wellness travellers even more so," says Trisha Bannister, wellness director at the newly opened Layan Life at the Anantara Layan resort in Phuket . "They are looking for places that go beyond the spa, the yoga retreat or an aesthetic-based quick fix that can be found in a lot of hotels."
In the past, health-conscious travellers would head to dedicated wellness resorts such as Thailand's Chiva-Som or The Farm in the Philippines to experience cutting-edge medical and wellness treatments. These resorts, however, are starting to face stiff competition from luxury hotels launching 360-degree experiences that embrace physical, holistic and spiritual modalities, while offering world-class hospitality and luxe accommodation.
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"Hotels are keeping up with wellness resorts by amping up their offerings but, likewise, wellness resorts are borrowing from hotels' playbooks in terms of elevating guest journeys and the customer experience. Increasingly these two worlds are converging," explains Cathy Feliciano-Chon, managing partner at marketing agency Finn Partners, whose clients include The Mandarin Oriental and Marriott International Luxury Brands.
"In many cases, they're partnering with established wellness centres because that is the quickest and most compelling way they can offer wellness. Hotels, after all, are about hospitality. They'll need to bring in the wellness experts to be able to do it right," she says, citing examples such as the Four Seasons Singapore's collaboration with Chi Longevity and Six Senses Ibiza's partnership with Rose Bar, led by acclaimed wellness expert Dr Mark Hyman.
The latest trend, however, sees hotels launching and operating their own centres, which offer the best facilities, treatments and staff to go with it. Often, they cater to the local community as well as guests. Take for example, London-based wellness and longevity members' club Surrenne, launched by Maybourne Hotels at The Emory, which opened in April last year. The 2,000-square-metre space is entirely devoted to health and well-being and includes the country's first studio from global fitness guru Tracy Anderson.
Wellness brand Soneva Soul, the brainchild of Soneva Resorts founder Sonu Shivdasani, is another stand-out. It combines ancient healing modalities with modern technology to curate personalised wellness experiences that cover movement, sleep, medical services and innovative, regenerative treatments like stem cell therapies - all of which can be enjoyed while on holiday.
New on the scene is the aforementioned Layan Life, which opened its doors in September last year. Located within the grounds of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, this medical wellness concept is housed in a 1,767-square-metre, purpose-built facility designed using biophilic principles. A short walk from the hotel's main pool and restaurant, the stunning space blends contemporary architecture with nature and would not look out of place in a design magazine with its floor-to-ceiling windows, warm neutral tones, airy spaces and abundance of natural light.
The lower level, which is open to all hotel guests as well as members, features a state-of-the-art gym, yoga and Pilates studios, meditation rooms, and a hydrotherapy area with cold and hot vitality pools, Himalayan salt sauna and steam room. The upper floor is where guests can enjoy medical and holistic services, including physiotherapy, aesthetic treatments, IV procedures, cryotherapy , a hyperbaric chamber and colonic hydrotherapy using the latest equipment and technologies.
The centre also specialises in traditional Thai medicine (TTM). Guests can have consultations with a registered practitioner, experience a range of unique treatments and take home personalised remedies from the Thai herbal dispensary.
"Layan Life was created to burst the bubble on wellness retreat models that can be restrictive," says Bannister. "[We do this] by offering an approach that is inclusive of guests no matter their age or stage of life. They can come with friends and family, or choose a solo retreat, and this is what sets us apart. They can stay with us in the resort, or locally, as suits their needs."
Personalisation and evidence-based data is a core part of Layan Life. Although pre-designed programmes are available, guests are encouraged to take charge of their own health goals by undergoing a range of diagnostic testing before choosing their treatments, from epigenetic tests in the form of hair and heavy metals testing, to skin and postural analyses and body scans.
All this can be done while enjoying the comforts typical of a holiday, be it lounging by the pool or hanging out with friends.
"[Our guests] want to be understood when it comes to their health and needs, and for us to adapt to these while they are staying with us, creating a hyper-personalised experience," says Bannister.
Interestingly, some aspects of Layan Life are also integrated into the hotel, from the specially designed wellness menu at the main restaurant to a complimentary daily activity programme that includes boxing, strength training and stretching. There are also plans to launch programmes designed to target common problem areas such as menopause and sleep.
"One of our key indicators of success is ensuring that our guests have the time and space to integrate their experiences, be present - not feel the need to tick all boxes and have a performative experience," Bannister adds.
"Being in the combined setting of both a wellness and day-to-day resort allows the guest to have a sense of normalcy."
4 travel wellness trends to know in 2025
1. Sexual well-being - in addition to menopause and fertility, sexual health is coming into focus, with increasing numbers of women feeling empowered to take charge of their libido.
2. AI-powered wellness - AI is transforming how we analyse data, enabling us to further personalise our wellness goals and programmes.
3. Going back to nature - from grounding to forest bathing, a deeper connection to nature has been proven to nourish mind and body.
4. Longevity - there are plenty of merits to biohacking , with programmes that incorporate brain health training, mobility and cognitive activities contributing to a longer, healthier life.
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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.
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