Unique Wellness Ideas for Events and Travel

Photograph by peterschreiber.media for Adobe Stock

Adding a wellness element to an event is always going to be welcomed by attendees, as overall wellbeing, physical activity, work-life balance, and physical and mental health are more top of mind. This healthy approach might be evident in your event venue itself — such as at the Oakland Park, Kan., convention center, which has added a sensory room for neurodiverse attendees, or at a hotel that has a great spa.

A real commitment to wellness also carries through to the smaller details, such as choosing the right health-conscious gift for the room drops or packing items that will make you happier on-site. Following are some of our favorite wellness ideas for events and traveling.

Providing Calm Spaces for Attendees

Now available at the Overland Park Convention Center in Kansas is a sensory room for neurodiverse attendees. The space features reduced lighting and noise for guests who might feel overstimulated and need a more secure environment. The space is certified by KultureCity, an organization that approves venues, organizations, small businesses and others who want to engage better with those who have such needs. Inside the room are bean-bag chairs, special light panels, bubble walls, activity panels and a custom piece of art that people can touch, created by an artist with autism.

Check-in at the redone Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas — Check-in at the newly renovated Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas

Recent Spa Renovations

While we were all staying home, many properties took the opportunity to upgrade their facilities to be fresh and ready when guests returned. These three hotels put their money where their spas are.

At the 218-room Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, local design firm ForrestPerkins turned the 12,000-square-foot spa into a garden oasis. New is a hand-forged metal trellis with vines, leaves and flowers, which was created by local artist Larry Whiteley (see the ceiling in the photo above). Upgraded were the reception and retail areas, the nail spa and hair salon, and the men’s and women’s relaxation lounges. A spa-dining lounge was added and the treatment area was reconfigured to add two more rooms for a total of 13. The treatment menu now features the “Diamond Facial,” which aims to improve the elasticity and luminosity of the skin; and “Calm, Balance, and Delight,” which uses a hemp-derived edible and craniosacral therapy to boost overall health and immunity, followed by a full-body massage and a CBD foot treatment.

Canyon Ranch Lenox Resort in Massachusetts also has revamped its spa, using the talents of architect and interior designer Lauren Rottet. The new look pays closer attention to the natural surroundings of the Berkshires, reinforcing the property's commitment to well-being and restoration. The Fieldstone Lounge and the Sargent Brook Lounge were redone with small group gatherings in mind, and a demonstration kitchen was added for more communal experiences.

As part of a multimillion-dollar renovation to the 100-room Amara Resort and Spa in Sedona, Ariz., the award-winning Amara Spa was upgraded with an updated design, a new 24-hour fitness center and a retail corner. Coming this summer is a whole new treatment menu.

Give Attendees the Gift of Relaxation

These lacrosse-sized balls aren't for the field. When you don't have time to head to the spa because every minute of your time away from home is spent on your meeting, a little time spent with these easy-to-pack spheres can help relieve muscle aches in shoulders, your back, your quads and even your feet. Find the balls at Amazon for $16; these articles from Healthline and Daily Burn will help you figure out how to use them.

Up Your Corporate Wellness Game

According to a February 2021 survey of 1,400 Peloton members, 87 percent reported an improvement in meeting their personal fitness goals using the bike or the app; 65 percent felt that their overall mental health had improved; and 64 percent said they have been more productive at work. Why not bring this health-program success rate into your business? Organizations can now offer this motivating force to their teams with Peloton Corporate Wellness, giving employees access to the Peloton app (no equipment purchase required), and/or provide them with special offers on Peloton bikes and treadmills. And you can receive aggregated and anonymized reports that show the positive effect Peloton has on employees' physical and mental wellness. The app features expert-guided bootcamps, cardio, cycling, meditation, running, strength, stretching, walking, yoga classes and more.

The wellness-themed office on the fourth floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Check In to the Hotel Wellness California

At the 285-room Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, the fourth floor features 10 wellness rooms, one wellness studio suite, three wellness suites, a private fitness suite and the Well Office, and there's a new lobby-level wellness meeting room. Also on the fourth floor are the spa, the casual Cabana restaurant serving plant-based options, an expansive pool deck and the main fitness center.

In the rooms are Rabbit air-purification systems, energizing lights to aid with regulating circadian rhythm, water dechlorinators and purification systems, hypoallergenic wood floors, and sound machines. Among the amenities are guided meditations narrated by Deepak Chopra, sulfate-free bath amenities by Lather, and in-room fitness and Alo Yoga equipment.

Like the guest rooms, the Well Office also features hypoallergenic wood floors and the Rabbit air-purification system. A Jarvis adjustable-height conference table and Luna standing-desk stools allow for standing, seated and hybrid working options. An individual Jarvis standing desk is also part of the furniture, and the room is equipped with a large-screen TV for presentations and videoconferencing. Though not on the wellness floor, the former Palm Room and Courtyard has been transformed into a wellness event space with many of the same features.