How Wellness Hospitality Brands Can Succeed Amid Big-City Chaos
Photo Credit: An artist’s impression of HFZ Capital Group’s The Eleventh development, set between Manhattan’s High Line and the Hudson River. It will house Six Senses New York. Six Senses
Skift Take
Wellness hospitality brands known for their idyllic locations are heading to New York City. Will the temptation of taking a bite out of the Big Apple prove a brand benefit or drawback?
Wellness hospitality is going urban in a big way.
There's Equinox, and it's long-delayed promise to open hotels in New York and Chicago. There's Hyatt's purchase of Exhale, a company providing fitness and spa experiences in major markets across the country. And there are several one-off properties around the U.S. combining health, wellness, and hotel rooms.
The Well, a private members club, is opening in early 2019 in Manhattan and according to Andrew Gibson of Sensei, "these examples of new wellness ventures in urban locations are a result of the overwhelming global interest in wellness."
In recent years both Aman and Six Senses announced they were Big Apple-bound with both set to open in 2020.
Why are these brands, known for their middle-of-nowhere, relaxed resort appeal, moving into New York?
"The answer is simple: Numbers. Not everyone can get to a remotely located resort. Opening a hotel and spa in New York puts Aman and Si
