Creating a Zen-Centric Hotel for Wellness Travelers

With the time we spend at work on the rise, it’s becoming more important than ever to ensure we have the time to focus on ourselves and many people are bringing this ethos into their travel habits. 

We all know that traveling, vacationing, and holidaying are essential portions of our lives, particularly for those looking to find some rest and recuperation. We also know more than we’d like to about the stress that can sometimes come along with travel. 

Thankfully, the hospitality industry is attempting to adapt to our travel needs and is starting to create spaces that will attempt to diffuse the stress, allow us to relax, feel at home and really get in those recovery hours we so desperately need. 

Hotels around the world are attempting to place wellness at the forefront of their guest experience, with a focus on zen-centric travel; but, what does this actually mean?   

What is Zen-centric Travel?

Zen-centric travel is much more than just a ‘wellness trend’, most of which are a dime-a-dozen and fade pretty quickly; but this is different.  

Zen-centric travel is a holistic approach to travel that places a huge focus on mental clarity, inner peace, and physical wellbeing. It’s not just a trend, it’s a totally new way of approaching your travel experience. 

Some are ‘slow traveling’ to their destination, a practice that removes the stress of airports and deadlines, and instead allows you to focus on exploration and adventure; road trips, taking the train, make stops in new places along the way, it’s up to you.

Slow travel means you should not let the travel portion of your holiday become something you have to endure, instead, your travel can be a wonderful part of the holiday.    

Others are choosing European destinations specifically designed to help with mental health issues, or hotels that place a focus on providing healing spaces, allowing their guests to truly disconnect from the daily hustle and immerse themselves in tranquil, peaceful environments. 

Prioritizing this kind of mental wellness during travel is new, and it’s a great time for hotels to rethink their approach to interior spaces, so let’s take a look at the best ways to create zen-centric spaces in your hotel, for your guests.

Designing Spaces that Breathe Serenity

If you’ve done a quick preliminary search, fear not; creating a zen-centric space is actually not as complex as it may sound. 

There are lots of studies that show the connection between our physical location and our mental health. There are papers that talk about interior design influencing our moods and affecting our brains, both of which are great things to understand when designing a space; but, at the end of the day, simplicity is the key. 

Clutter-free areas, clean lines, comfortable textures and neutral furniture will all combine to make the ultimate space where a guest’s mind can disengage. Using things like natural materials can help to connect us with the outdoors even when we’re inside and that includes things like water features and natural plant life; it can be as easy as that. 

Another key feature in creating a space that will encourage true relaxation is balance. 

If you’re looking to have a theme then don’t throw in the faces of your guests. Having textures that complement each other is a good thing, and so (to an extent) includes textures or patterns that contrast each other. The problem arises when a dominant theme becomes too dominant. 

A zen-centric space is designed to ensure that a person can ‘switch off’, find comfort and simply be. If they end up distracted by bold colors, aggressive patterns or cluttered spaces, you will have essentially undone any of the design elements previously implemented. Your space should be noticeably beautiful and peaceful, but not too overpowering.   

Tips on How to Build a Zen Oasis in Your Hotel

Creating the perfect space is never going to be an easy task, and, as every space is unique, there can be no ‘rule book’ that will guarantee a zen-centric area. 

So here are a few tips and tricks that will boost the chill factor in your hotel, and allow you to become one of the health and wellness hotels we have only dreamed of in the past. 

1. Mindful Architecture and Layout

If you’re working with architects to design your space from scratch (lucky you!) then what you should be aiming for are spaces that invite natural light in, high ceilings with tall windows, and spacious rooms with natural, flowy connections. 

This will invite your guests immediately into bright, open spaces that breathe peace into those who enter. Cozier, smaller spaces can be created within these rooms if you’d like to incorporate more private areas, but rooms that flow into one another and spaces that are not cramped, musty and dark will make all the difference.

 2. Sustainable Materials for an Authentic Feel

Recent studies have revealed that a staggering 76% of travelers look to choose accommodations with eco-friendly credentials, and of course, this is a huge opportunity for those in the travel and tourism industry. The future of the wellness industry is a bright one.  

Thankfully, lots of the things we have talked about already are sustainable options; sustainable woods for interior textures, plant life that boosts oxygen and materials like stone which, when sourced correctly, can have a huge impact both visually and environmentally.

Clean, simple interiors tend to use authentic, natural materials anyway, but choosing materials that are sustainable and eco-friendly can go an awfully long way to boosting your guests’ satisfaction. 

 3. Comfort is Key

This tip ties in nicely with the balance we were talking about earlier; if you’re aiming for a minimalist space with no clutter, clean modern lines and plenty of chill factor, make sure it’s comfortable. 

Going ultra-modern and using lots of stone and sleek colors is all well and good, but if your guests are not invited into the space there is no point in creating it in the first place. This goes double for physical comfort. 

If you’re designing a waiting area in a lobby for example, you must remember that people actually have to wait in it. Having a super cool sofa that fits the aesthetic is totally useless if it’s not comfortable. You need your guests to be able to exist in a space without wanting anything extra.