WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Dr. Whitney Roban, Ph.D., a leading sleep expert, to launch a new sleep enhancing program designed to support the wellness routines of its guests, specifically those who experience “First Night Effect.” According to Dr. Roban, research has shown that when individuals travel to unfamiliar environments, such as hotel rooms, one half of the brain enters into a hyper vigilant state. This increased alertness disrupts the natural sleep cycle, particularly impacting the crucial slow wave deep sleep stage. This phenomenon is known as the “First Night Effect.” Dr. Roban has...

Wellness features have undoubtedly become a key differentiator in the hospitality industry in all markets for attracting guests and driving revenue. But some features may provide better returns on investment (ROI) than others and selecting the most suitable for a property requires a considered approach. The continuous evolution of wellness facilities, amenities, and services likely contributed to the whopping 18.1 percent annual growth the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) detected in the wellness real estate sector in 2020-23 and would also support the 15.8 percent annual expansion GWI predicts for 2024-29. The strong performance and rosy outlook of the sector have prompted...

The golden age of wellness tourism has arrived, and FINN Partners is assessing the gleam on the epoch with The Future of Wellness Tourism 2025, a new report compiled by the agency’s Global Travel Practice that was released at the Global Wellness Summit in St. Andrews, Scotland. Available for download on FINN Partners’ global website, The Future of Wellness Tourism 2025 provides a deep dive into trends that will define wellness tourism around the world in the years ahead. The 42-page report is loaded with data, expert insights, and on-the-ground examples of innovations conceived to satisfy the growing desire of travelers to experience wellness. Those...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Having redefined workplace health and wellness with its recent human-centric office renovation, Excel Dryer, Inc., manufacturer of the XLERATOR Hand Dryer, is raising the bar once again with its launch of an exclusive continuing education program for design professionals. “Healthy Interiors: Using the WELL Building Standard to Design Commercial Spaces of the Future” focuses on a real-life renovation project integrating specific products to achieve WELL Certification. “Our office renovation broke barriers,” said Joshua Griffing, Director of Marketing and International Sales at Excel Dryer. “It was more than a renovation; it was a labor of love that invited us to underscore...

CHICAGO—Wellbeing is at the core of Hyatt’s purpose, and to further extend care to colleagues, Hyatt has announced a new collaboration with Mind Share Partners, a nonprofit that is changing the culture of workplace mental health so colleagues and organizations can thrive. Rooted in empathy and global colleague insights and feedback, this collaboration focuses on deepening Hyatt’s commitment to wellbeing by building a greater understanding around mental health, proactively seeking support when needed, and contributing to a mentally healthy workplace. “At Hyatt, our differentiated approach to wellbeing starts by actively listening to what truly matters to our colleagues and extends to...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Dr. Whitney Roban, Ph.D., a leading sleep expert, to launch a new sleep enhancing program designed to support the wellness routines of its guests, specifically those who experience “First Night Effect.” According to Dr. Roban, research has shown that when individuals travel to unfamiliar environments, such as hotel rooms, one half of the brain enters into a hyper-vigilant state. This increased alertness disrupts the natural sleep cycle, particularly impacting the crucial slow wave deep sleep stage. This phenomenon is known as the “First Night Effect.” Dr. Roban has identified...

The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Dr. Whitney Roban, Ph.D., a leading sleep expert, to launch a new sleep enhancing program designed to support the wellness routines of its guests, specifically those who experience “First Night Effect.” According to Dr. Roban, research has shown that when individuals travel to unfamiliar environments, such as hotel rooms, one half of the brain enters into a hyper vigilant state. This increased alertness disrupts the natural sleep cycle, particularly impacting the crucial slow wave deep sleep stage. This phenomenon is known as the “First Night Effect.” Dr. Roban has identified...

PENNSYLVANIA—Situated on a sprawling wooded ridge at the confluence of the Allegheny and Clarion rivers, Six Senses RiverStone Estate will mark the next chapter in one of the region’s cultural and architectural treasures. Marking the latest milestone in the brand’s entry into the Americas market, this picturesque country estate will echo the Six Senses ethos of wellness and sustainability, while offering guests and owners a community for connection and reflection. Located outside the quaint Western Pennsylvania town of Foxburg, just 90 minutes north of Pittsburgh, the property is in close proximity to three private airports and a quick getaway from...

TAMPA, FLA.—Wellness in Travel & Tourism (WITT), an independent organization composed of experts with over 125 years of combined experience at the intersection of hospitality, wellness, and travel, announced the launch of a wellness certification for hotels and resorts. This groundbreaking initiative aims to transform the hospitality sector by providing prestigious certification criteria that sets properties apart in a competitive market, enabling them to enhance their wellness offerings and attract travelers. “The WITT Certified seal provides hotels and resorts with a significant advantage in attracting travelers by offering objective and rigorous audits of their wellness amenities and services,” said Robin Ruiz, WITT’s CEO and...

Who stayed in your hotel last night? Were they already sick, or had they been exposed to possible illness? Did the room attendant thoroughly clean the rooms? Hotel managers never know if a hotel room has been exposed to airborne or surface germs, but there are precautions that hoteliers take that can help hotel guests leave their stays unscathed by germs. Hotel guests increasingly care about health and wellness. For instance, before booking a hotel, I always check the reviews for comments about cleanliness and housekeeping. And the very first thing I do upon entering a hotel is wash my hands....