From bio-architecture and conscience-free cuisine to dispersed hotels and ultimate relaxation methods, small progressive hotels are setting new trends in 2020, according to the new Luxury Travel Trends report.
Travelers are looking to embrace pared-back extravagance by interacting with local cultures, respecting nature and participating in something that feels bigger than themselves, concludes the study sponsored by Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a booking service which includes 520 independent, boutique hotels worldwide. The report outlines six specific overarching themes reinforced by the idea of uncomplicated and honest luxury:
Conscious Luxury
Examples are bio-architecture, conservation projects, widespread plastic-free initiatives and striving for carbon neutrality. SLH is launching a Sustainability Manifesto in 2020 laying out commitments for SLH as a business as well as guidance for our member hotels. Examples of initiatives are Aleenta Resort and Spa Hua Hin in Thailand champions carbon-free cooking and Harbour Village Beach Club in Bonaire, which has a PADI-certified in coral restoration program.
Dispersed Hotels
There’s a trend to disperse facilities across buildings in a town or village, creating links between guests and locals. Enzo Ango Fuya II in Kyoto is Japan’s first dispersed hotel. Blending in with the rhythm of the city, each of the five buildings dotted around one street has its own particular style, features and functionality.
Upskilling Escapes
Hotels are offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, granting travelers VIP access to specialists in an effort to learn new skills, or become experts themselves. For instance, Olympic skier Andrew Weibrecht is available as an exclusive ski guide to hotel guests down the slopes of Whiteface Mountain at Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa in the 1980 Winter Olympic resort of Lake Placid, New York. The newly opened The 121 Hotel in Nashville curates private songwriter sessions for guests to meet songwriters and hear about hit songs they penned for legendary country singers.
Wellness from Ahh to Zzz
Indigenous spa practices and rituals such as hay baths, volcanic mud and Ayurvedic therapies are on the rise, while the importance of sleep and innovative solutions to achieve optimum rest continue to be key for overall health and wellbeing. Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa in California is the first hotel to introduce a sleep fitness program leveraging innovative technology, Le Grand Bellevue in Gstaad, Switzerland, will host an overnight ‘Bamford B Silent Sleep Retreat’ combining guided wellness techniques with targeted treatments.
The Root Back to Real Food
For foodies, the emergence of plant-based restaurants in surprising places, and the ongoing benefits of going herbal are rising in popularity. In addition, white charcoal, or binchotan, is being incorporated into food and drink across menus worldwide to absorb impurities and release vital minerals. The Prince Akatoki London and Mykonos Riviera Hotel & Spa both utilize Chikutan Sticks made from sustainably derived white charcoal for cocktails at their bars to purify and elevate the taste.
Destinations you’ve got to experience now
New destinations for SLH guests in 2020 include several new members opening their doors for the very first time. Gangtey Lodge in Bhutan, one of the only carbon-negative countries in the world, lures active travelers. Azerbaijan is a combination of European, Asian and Middle Eastern influences that make The Land of Fire a fascinating place to explore from Dinamo Hotel Baku. Despite the country’s small size, Montenegro is full of hidden treasures and a new destination for SLH in 2020, with Villa Geba joining the brand.
For more information check the website of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
