The whole concept of holidays is going to change for good. Travel options which allow us to disconnect from the stress of urban living are gaining popularity and are rekindling through formulas which allow us to visit isolated and safe destinations while getting in touch with nature, an important aspect for travellers in the years to come. Hotels will become a key space for discovering natural surroundings.
This vision of hotels as a space for disconnecting is nothing new, but has instead been propelled over the last few months by the global pandemic. Isolated hotels are becoming more attractive, and being able to connect with nature is proving to be a need that is yet to be filled. Visitors to rural accommodation has grown by 25% in the US compared to the same period the previous year (Source: Airbnb). What is more, over half of high-income consumers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy express their desire to get away from the cities and head to less populated areas as a direct consequence of the pandemic, with a third of Americans also feeling the same way (Source: UBS). Models more focused on domestic tourism will be required since 25% of travellers will try to avoid cheap commercial flights and public transport in the post-pandemic world (Source: LuggageHero).
Meanwhile, with mental health now being at the forefront of our concerns, people are more aware of issues such as climate anxiety and stress than ever before. Interior design must also reflect on this sentiment and use disciplines like neurasthenics to think about how spaces affect our well-being. Hotels have answered these questions, turning themselves into spaces that are connected with nature and allowing travellers the peace, quiet and isolation they need.
In the near future it is possible that we will have to once again tackle a health crisis similar to the one we are currently dealing with, as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), further strengthening the idea of isolated hotels, which have done best during the pandemic.
Isolated hotels in natural surroundings are the ones that have best weathered the storm caused by coronavirus. At the same time, new projects are cropping up which take advantage of their privileged location to create remote spaces that can offer travellers holistic health experiences. This is particularly the case of nature retreats designed to offer respite to domestic tourists who live in large cities.
Rooms located in isolated settings where guests have almost exclusive access to nature.
The number and diversity of health services offered will increase, set to include meditation, arts and crafts to combat stress and recovering traditional healthcare methods, such as different types of spa treatments.
Guests will demand new services that provide them with independence throughout their stay, like transport, food delivery and automated or contactless procedures for check-in and check-out.
Some hotels found near large cities have reimagined themselves as spaces where guests can disconnect from the stresses of urban life. This also presents a way for hotels to connect with locals by offering them a healthy retreat.
