Wellness is no longer a luxury; it’s an expectation. Today’s high-end travellers expect more than a well-equipped gym or spa – they’re looking for seamless, personalised spaces that support their well-being throughout their stay. From fitness suites to in-room recovery features, wellness is becoming an integral part of the guest experience.
To explore how hotels can meet these growing expectations, we spoke to Edward Thomas, Creative Director of Paragon Studio. Specialising in bespoke, sustainable fitness equipment and gym products, Paragon has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and superyachts to craft spaces that blend form, function, and brand identity. Their approach goes beyond equipment selection, focusing on how wellness can be fully integrated into a property’s design language – ensuring that every detail, from materials to spatial flow, enhances the guest experience.
The Rise of Wellness in Luxury Hospitality
Spending the past decade designing wellness spaces for some of the world’s most exclusive hotels and superyachts, I’ve seen a clear evolution: wellness is no longer a luxury – it’s a baseline expectation.
For years, “fitness” in hospitality often meant a generic gym tucked away on a lower floor. But today’s guests, especially frequent business travellers, are seeking environments that actively support their physical and mental well-being throughout their stay – not just during a workout. The concept of wellness has expanded dramatically, moving beyond spa menus and fitness equipment to touch every aspect of the guestroom experience.
We’re seeing a growing emphasis on elements like circadian lighting, biophilic materials, and thoughtfully optimised room layouts that encourage rest, movement, and recovery. It’s no longer about having a gym down the hall – it’s about creating a space that supports the guest’s entire rhythm of life, even while away from home.
What’s particularly interesting is how wellness is becoming a medium through which brand identity is expressed. In the same way that a luxury hotel wouldn’t furnish a suite without aligning it to the brand’s design language, wellness spaces are now being held to the same standard. Materials, finishes, and spatial flow are carefully considered to reflect not just function, but feeling – and more importantly, the right feeling for that brand’s guest.
In both the hotel and yacht sectors, we’re entering a new era where wellness isn’t siloed – it’s immersive. The most forward-looking properties are treating wellness not as a standalone offering, but as an integrated design principle. And the most successful experiences are those that feel intuitive, seamless, and personal – where every element, whether visual or functional, has been considered with the guest’s well-being in mind.
What Defines Luxury in Wellness?
For me, true luxury in hospitality is all about intuitive, personalised experiences. Luxury isn’t just about high-end finishes; it’s about creating an environment that feels deeply considered, where every detail has been thoughtfully crafted. For many people, luxury means staying somewhere that surpasses the comfort and design of their own home. It’s about those little touches that make you think, “I can’t believe they thought of that!”
This philosophy extends into wellness too. In the context of fitness, luxury means tailoring the experience to each guest’s individual needs. We’re seeing more hotels offering ‘wellness rooms’ for health-conscious travellers, ensuring they can stick to their routines while away. The real challenge is in designing spaces that are both personalised and cohesive – providing a sense of comfort and luxury without feeling overwhelming.
Superyachts: From Makeshift Gyms to Wellness Sanctuaries
When we first started in 2014, gyms on yachts were often an afterthought. Spas were rare, and many 50-metre yachts had makeshift gym setups on the sundeck, exposed to the elements. But the landscape has changed dramatically. These days, I would say that nearly every yacht over 60 metres now has a dedicated gym and often a space for some form of spa or wellness offering. It’s no longer a luxury, but an essential feature, particularly for charter yachts, where guests expect the same high-quality fitness and spa experiences they have at home.
As yacht design continues to evolve, fitness spaces are becoming much more sophisticated, blending seamlessly with the overall aesthetic. Space remains the biggest challenge, though. On a yacht, every square metre is precious, so wellness areas need to be multifunctional and beautifully designed. The demand for these features is growing, even on smaller yachts. I wouldn’t be surprised to see wellness and fitness options becoming standard on yachts around the 45-metre range in the near future.
The Future of Wellness in Luxury Travel
Looking ahead, it’s clear that wellness will become an integral part of both hotels and yachts. Wellness is rapidly shifting from being an optional extra to a standard expectation. Many hotels are already offering wellness rooms, but I foresee a future where entire hotels are designed with well-being in mind – from circadian lighting to blackout blinds and in-room fitness equipment.
There’s also an opportunity for hotels to adopt a more personalised approach, similar to the customisation seen on yacht charters. On a yacht, guests fill out a preference sheet months in advance, allowing the crew to tailor every detail, from meal plans to personalised amenities. I believe luxury hotels could elevate their offerings by integrating wellness preferences into the booking process, ensuring guests’ well-being needs are met from the moment they arrive.
As wellness continues to shape the future of luxury travel, it’s clear that fitness and well-being are no longer just amenities; they’re becoming a vital part of the guest experience.
