A raft of operators have been in touch with Spa Business recently, to tell us how they are extending the spa experience by introducing in-room wellness offerings, such supercharged wellness mini-bar menus.

From self-guided facial treatment videos, skincare in minibars and rented equipment, hotels around the world are finding new ways to improve the guest experience and create revenue.

This is not to say heavily salted nuts and a sugar-laden drink have disappeared entirely from mini-bars, but operators are definitely being more imaginative in how they maximise wellness spending.

Early adopters, known for introducing in-room wellness features, include Kerzner International’s SIRO hotel brand, which offers fitness equipment, workout videos and various bedding options for optimum sleeping conditions. 

Newer offerings are moving beyond on-demand fitness videos by boosting in-room recovery and wellness rituals.

Recovery

Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach, a 24-key resort in California, US, has launched a wellness mini bar menu of rentable recovery products.

Available to borrow for 24 hours at a time, equipment on the menu is by Hyperice, including the brand's Normatec leg compression boots, the Venom 2 heat and massage wraps, the Hypervolt 2 percussion massager and the Hyperice X contrast therapy devices for knees and shoulders.

The menu also offers access to infrared and PEMF therapies in the form of sauna blankets and infrared mats by HigherDOSE.

Additional sleep-supporting products are available, such as melatonin-infused teas, CBD soaks and gummies, plus eye masks and socks by luxury lifestyle brand Kashwére.

Hyatt property, Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, US, has also recently introduced molecular hydrogen water bottles, light masks and supplement drops in partnership with rejuvenation technology company Lumati. 

The 130-key resort’s Spa Alila added Lumati’s Recharge Portal to one of its treatment rooms recently, offering short, stackable longevity treatments and the in-room extras are seen as a way to extend the experience for busy guests.

Skincare and fragrance

Darko Vasic, regional spa and wellness director for EMEA at Karisma Hotels and Resorts, spoke about adding skincare products to minibars at the Wellness Hospitality Conference in Milan, Italy, at the end of last year.

He said adding 111Skin eye patches and products by fragrance manufacturer Amouage to mini bars at properties in Karisma’s portfolio – along with a retail upselling strategy – has generated sales.

Another example is Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa in the UK’s Lake District, which has extended its ESPA-branded spa experience into guestrooms during spa-break stays worth £340 (US$432, €398) per person, per night. 

The property has recorded a video of the spa’s head therapist, guiding guests in a facial ritual, called The Guided Glow. The three-minute and thirty-second video is accessible by a QR code found in the room and is accompanied by travel-sized ESPA products. 

Annabel Berry, product development and training manager for Low Wood Bay’s owning and operating company, English Lakes, told Spa Business: “The Guided Glow has been introduced as a way to extend the spa experience beyond our treatment rooms and into the quiet comfort of our guests' own space. 

“We wanted to create a calming ritual that helps guests slow down, settle in, and begin their wellness journey the moment they arrive,” added Berry. “By introducing this simple five‑step guided ritual, we’re encouraging guests to try something new and enjoy a moment of self‑care in the comfort of their room and it offers a gentle introduction to our beautiful ESPA products."