Luxury hotels are always pushing the industry forward and setting the trends for others to follow. This is especially true in London, a global hub of tourism and business travel. Hotel developers such as Sharan Pasricha and Sameer Gehlaut continue to raise the bar for luxury travel across the globe. Here are the top 5 trends taking over luxury fashion.
Sustainable and eco-friendly practices
More than ever, sustainability and eco-friendly practices are becoming central to hospitality’s ethos. This includes using renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and using art and furniture which is locally sourced. Green decor such as indoor gardens and green roofs are increasingly being incorporated into hotel designs to give a feeling of being at one with nature.
But some hotels are going above and beyond. North Island Seychelles has hosted some of the world’s most famous couples, including George and Amal Clooney and Prince William and Princess Katherine for their honeymoon. While their star-studded guestbook is impressive, their move to help return the island’s flora and fauna to its pre-colonial glory is admirable. They continuously monitor the landscape for foreign invasive species, removing them and replacing them with native seedlings. Their efforts have led to indigenous species returning to its waters, such as green and hawksbill turtles, for which they received the 2017 National Geographic World Legacy Award.
Wellness and self-care
Health and wellbeing is a booming industry, and is increasingly important to travellers who are looking to relax and unwind. Luxury hotels are responding by offering a wide range of services to make sure guests have everything they need at their fingertips, from yoga classes to meditation sessions, spas to fitness centres, and treatments to massages.
The Spa at Gleneagles, owned by Sharan Pasricha MBE, is a prime example of this. Situated in Scotland, it understands the luxury market down to its finest details. Working alongside Dr. Barbara Sturm – skincare and health expert to the stars – they have devised one of the most comprehensive wellbeing packages in the world. This includes specialist treatments which use balms, oils, and scrubs derived from ingredients found on the Gleneagles estate, a range of naturopathic treatments, and have even worked with nutritionist Rosemary Ferguson to create the ultimate healthy menu for guests.
Private villas and residences
Private villas and residences are becoming more popular among luxury travellers who expect a high level of luxury, exclusivity, and plenty of space to explore and relax. There are several luxury hotel brands who are offering this type of accommodation, complete with gardens, private pools, and other amenities.
One such residence is Villa Venetia in Mykonos, Greece. Only three miles from Mykonos town, it is a beautiful rustic, traditional, yet super-luxe villa decorated to celebrate local arts and culture. The outdoor space is what blows guests away and what makes the villa a good family-friendly option, perfect for entertaining people of all ages. Its seawater pool, outdoor kitchen and bar, and covered eating area are complemented by views over the sea and perfectly placed floodlighting.
A new offering is due to arrive in London thanks to Sameer Gehlaut, founder of Clivedale, to bring a family-friendly accommodation option to the city. It will feature private residences with multiple rooms for family and guests – a tricky thing to find in central London – combined with fully-serviced rooms to provide the convenience and luxury of a hotel.
Technology integration
Technology is making the guest experience at luxury hotels better than ever. Expect to see more hotels using artificial intelligence, virtual reality, seamless online systems, and other cutting edge technologies to make the experience even more special, bespoke, and interactive.
The Marriott City Centre in Charlotte, USA is using technology in precisely this way. The 1980s building has become a hub of innovation for Marriott and hosts an impressive range of technological advances which will surely be seen across the globe in the coming years. A small taste of their technology includes the hundreds of virtual fitness classes which are streamed on large screens, a mood-measuring booth in the lobby, and lighting and air systems which manage jet lag.
The luxury hotel industry is constantly evolving and innovating, and new trends are emerging every single day. These four trends have already made their mark on the wider industry, and are testament to just how influential the luxury sector is.
