What Wellness Features Provide the Best Returns?

Wellness features have emerged as key differentiators in the hospitality industry, driving guest attraction and revenue growth. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness real estate grew by 18.1% annually from 2020-2023 and is projected to expand by 15.8% annually from 2024-2029. To capitalize on this trend, hospitality businesses must choose features that align with their property and guest profiles while delivering strong returns on investment (ROI).

Holistic Integration of Wellness Across Hotel Departments

Wellness offerings extend beyond spas and gyms, including in-room amenities, healthy dining, outdoor activities, and cultural programs. This integrated approach affects multiple hotel departments and enhances guest satisfaction. For example, wellness guests often stay longer and spend more on food and beverages, contributing to higher TRevPAR (Total Revenue Per Available Room). Combining services—such as pairing post-workout protein shakes with wellness experiences—can boost cross-selling and upselling opportunities.

Tailored Wellness Offerings: Less is More

A curated selection of wellness features tailored to the property’s concept and location is crucial. Extensive wellness amenities may enhance topline performance but come with higher operational costs. Data from HotStats indicates that minor wellness hotels often outperform major wellness properties in TRevPAR growth. Upper-upscale properties also outpace luxury hotels in revenue growth across wellness categories.

Adapting to Hotel Type and Location

Urban Hotels

City hotels benefit from accessibility and walk-in customers, supporting revenue in gyms, spas, and restaurants. However, limited space and green areas often necessitate creative wellness solutions, such as in-room fitness equipment or cultural experiences.

Resorts

Resorts typically offer expansive wellness amenities in natural settings, enabling outdoor activities and longer-stay health programs. Examples include result-oriented wellness retreats and longevity-focused features supported by on-site medical professionals.

High-ROI Wellness Features

Spa Services

Spas offering massages, facials, and holistic therapies deliver significant revenue through upselling and premium pricing. These services enhance guest satisfaction, drive repeat bookings, and justify higher room rates. While setup costs are moderate to high, their overall impact on ROI is substantial.

Fitness Amenities

Well-equipped fitness centers and personal training services attract health-conscious travelers, improving guest loyalty and supporting premium pricing. Costs are medium, and these amenities cater to diverse guest preferences.

Healthy Dining

Organic, locally sourced, and specialized menus increase restaurant spending and enhance guest satisfaction. Costs are moderate but yield high ROI by appealing to wellness-oriented travelers.

In-Room Wellness Amenities

Affordable features like yoga mats, aromatherapy kits, and sleep-enhancing products create personalized wellness experiences. These amenities enhance guest satisfaction and allow for premium room pricing.

Wellness Retreats and Programs

Hosting yoga retreats, detox programs, or mindfulness workshops taps into niche markets. These experiences command premium rates, attract new segments, and improve off-season occupancy. While costs are medium to high, the ROI impact is significant.

Sustainable Practices

Eco-friendly initiatives, such as energy-efficient operations and organic products, resonate with environmentally conscious guests. These practices enhance brand reputation and loyalty, yielding moderate to high returns despite medium to high implementation costs.

Hydrotherapy and Thermal Facilities

Pools, saunas, and steam rooms offer relaxation and rejuvenation experiences. Though infrastructure costs are high, these features boost spa and wellness package revenues, allowing for premium pricing.

Outdoor Activities

Guided nature walks, yoga, and water-based adventures provide cost-effective wellness experiences that align with eco-tourism trends. These activities improve guest satisfaction and create unique selling points, particularly for resorts.

Sleep Programs

Curated sleep experiences, including high-quality bedding and soundproofing, elevate guest satisfaction and justify higher room rates. Costs are moderate, and the ROI impact is high for luxury hotels and wellness resorts.

Wellness Concierge Services

Dedicated wellness concierges personalize guest itineraries, recommend treatments, and enhance engagement. Costs are moderate, and the service differentiates the property while driving repeat visits.

Conclusion

A holistic approach to wellness amplifies its value across all hotel departments. Selecting the most suitable features depends on property type, guest profiles, and location. High-ROI features, such as spa services, fitness amenities, and healthy dining, directly enhance the guest experience, promote loyalty, and generate revenue. By integrating these offerings strategically, hospitality businesses can strengthen their competitive edge and maximize returns.