It's the little luxury items we look forward to: chocolates on our pillows, a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival or fuzzy slippers at our beside for turndown service. But all that's about to change, according to one PR company.
Hawkins International PR, based out of New York City, recently revealed their list of the top luxury hotel trends for this summer, looking at what's in, what's out, and what's happening at luxury hotels around the world. Whether you're into food, cocktails or amenities, you might enjoy something different this summer. Take a look:
Top Hops
What's Out: Cooling down with a fruity cocktail
What's In: Cooling down with a beer
Forget fancy cocktails with sugary names and even sweeter taste. This summer, hotels are inviting guests to beat the heat with cold brews. The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC is serving up an exclusive Centennial Pale Ale to celebrate their 100th anniversary, while Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH teamed up with local New England brewery Peak Organic to create the resort's signature Organic Amber Ale.The new Hotel Vermont in Burlington has partnerships with multiple local breweries including Drop-In Brewery and Wolaver Brewery.
Taste Testing
What's Out: Seasonal menus
What's In: Tasting menus
Chefs are putting the spotlight on fresh flavors from summer gardens with tasting menus comprised of small portions of seasonal flavors straight from the nearest farmer's market. Rev Restaurant at Hotel Madeline in Telluride, CO introduced a weekly Telluride Farmer's Market Wine Pairing and Market Sampling, which features small creative culinary courses showcasing items guests collected at the Telluride farmer's market earlier that day with Chef Bud Thomas. Guests at Hotel Caesar Augustus in Capri, Italy can enjoy a five course "Walks of Flavors" tasting menu paired with a selection of five wines. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients found in the hotel's on-site garden and include chilled tomato soup with king prawns and warm orange pie topped with bitter orange sorbet.
Manly Manicures and More
What's Out: Ladies-only spa days
What's In: Just-for-men spa treatments
Voted a top trend by this year's SpaFinder Wellness Spa and Wellness Report, special men's treatments are the newest additions to spa menus. The spa at The Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires treats their male guests to Men's Sports Manicures and Men's Sports Pedicures, while the spa menu at the new Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA features a long list of treatments just for men including a Gentlemen's Scalp Renewal. Men can refresh their skin with the Men's Skin IQ Facial and Men's Urban Cleanse Facial developed specially for men's skin types at the Seagate Hotel & Spa in Delray Beach, FL.
Ancient Spa Treatments Go Luxe
What's Out: Seaweed wraps
What's In: Hammam treatments
An ancient spa ritual, hammam treatments are coming back in a big and luxurious way. The new Marti Istanbul Hotel features four hammams in its top-floor spa, plus individual hammams in each suite room. Gstaad Palace in Switzerland offers a relaxing two-hour hammam consisting of a soothing foot bath, cleansing soap foam body massage and a dip into the spa's floating pool.
Family Vacations 2.0
What's Out: Getaways with the gals
What's In: Getaways with the whole gang
Voted the number one trend in luxury travel by this year's Virtuoso Luxe Report, multi-generational family travel is the newest way to travel, with hotels finding unique ways to keep vacations fun and flexible for every generation. Ferragamo family-owned Villa Le Rose in Tuscany has plenty of room for big groups and provides a private chef, waiter, butler and housekeeper on staff, and laundry facilities, plus the ability to coordinate tailored itineraries. Tour operator CW, recently launched 13 Family Adventures, customizable and suited for every family member in destinations from Bryce & Zion Canyon to Iceland. The Dorchester in Mayfair, London invites families to participate in "Glamping at the Dorchester," with bespoke tents in Beatrix Potter patterned fabric, themed parties like "Princess for a Day" and "Doorman for Day" and kid-friendly welcome amenities such as freshly baked cookies and kid-sized bathrobes.
Bedtime Goes Local
What's Out: Chocolates on your pillow
What's In: Local turn-down amenities
Chocolates are delicious but a local touch is more thoughtful. Guests at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa are treated to a Tortuga Rum Cake turndown amenity made from a four generation-old family recipe.
Readers: What's been your favorite hotel trends?
