Beyond the stay

On a picture-perfect winter’s morning, a crowd clad in Lululemon slowly trickles into Crafted at Powdermills; a new life-friendly hotel, members’ club, and co-working space close to the historic English town of Battle. From the comfort of what was once the kitchen of a former gunpowder factory, friendships are quickly forged, especially when much fuss is made of the dogs curled up beneath the communal table.

Such is the feel-good scene at this boutique retreat committed to bringing people together for yoga, art classes and more. In the rush to AI our lives, this, and other independent-minded hotels, are opening across continents in response to a growing demand among wellness-focused travellers for more grounding, emotive and sensory experiences.

Now, thanks to the rise of meaningful hospitality, discerning guests can feel creatively inspired and more connected in beautifully curated spaces. From a lesson in Florentine paper marbling in a thousand-year-old Umbrian castle in Italy to a sound bath in a nature reserve minutes from downtown Singapore, what better way to unplug from the world?

“The desire to disconnect from the pressures of modern life and immerse oneself in nature has become one of the most powerful motivators for leisure travel today,” says Global CEO of The Travel Division, Ben Stevenson. “This could be in multiple settings, from the beaches of the Maldives, rainforests of Costa Rica or even the Arctic Circle.”

A creative spark

Crafted’s founder, Chris King, is among those leading the charge for community, creativity and sensory experiences that enrich the soul. Set on its own lake and ancient woodland, this stylish bolthole offers cold-water dips, forest yoga, and a lakeside sauna, all of which feel real and grounding without the formality of a traditional spa retreat. As for the contemporary crafts programme, which includes lessons in ceramics, printmaking and textiles, the therapeutic and social benefits are second to none.

“Creativity sits at the heart of Crafted because using your hands, creating something tangible, has an incredible ability to calm the mind and spark joy,” says King. “It’s something adults often lose touch with, so we’ve created spaces where beginners and seasoned makers can play, learn and explore.”

Here, even the 55 guest rooms have been specially designed by artisans, serving as a platform for makers to showcase and share their talents and trades. Fine furniture maker, Sebastian Cox, has designed beds crafted from locally sourced wood (pictured above), which sit alongside ceramic lamps created by Hastings based artist Holly Dawes. The ceramicist gathers her clay by hand from the banks of the lake and also runs ceramic workshops and classes at the hotel’s designated Craft Barn and Art Studio.

Connecting people and places

Boutique hotels with private members’ club-like exclusivity are also proving popular Stateside. When cult-favourite hotel brand PUBLIC opens in West Hollywood this spring, legendary hotelier Ian Schrager’s ‘luxury for all’ concept will mark the hospitality gamechanger’s return to the city for a third time. Situated within a landmark building on Sunset Strip, designed in collaboration with British architect John Pawson, the 137-key property will be notable for its social-hub lobby designed to bring guests together in a relaxed setting.

Meanwhile, in Italy, visitors to Umbrian-based Reschio, can experiment with an extensive programme of art experiences. The luxury hotel has extended the three-day creative retreat programme it launched in 2025, with a new series of workshops immersing guests in traditional Umbrian crafts and traditions. These include calligraphy, ceramics and Florentine paper marbling, all of which aim to revive artisanal techniques, with an emphasis on slowing down and taking it all in.

Elsewhere, for the art aficionado, a stay at the newly opened Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp in Belgium offers several unforgettable group experiences. Housed in a former 16th-century monastery and featuring a modern-day apothecary selling restorative herbs and tinctures, the hotel has strong links to the city’s galleries and museums. For instance, the guided tour of Snijders&Rockox House, where guests can see restorers at work on a 16th-century masterpiece by Flemish painter, Jacques Jordaens, comes highly recommended.

Back in the UK, nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park in the quaint hamlet of Alfriston, sits The Star hotel. With mother and daughter duo Olga and Alex Polizzi (pictured below), of the Rocco Forte hotel dynasty at the helm, this intimate 29-bedroom hotel, which dates back to the 1500s, wraps you in a warm embrace as soon as you step through the door. Four-legged friends can also expect the star treatment, with a small number of dog-friendly rooms available.

The hotel taps into the charm of village life and the local art scene. Original works by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell, who lived at nearby Charleston House, take pride of place on the walls, while a striking geometric floor pattern has been hand-painted by Alfriston artist Amanda Lawrence in The Star’s popular restaurant. From next year, the Polizzis are planning a Town and Country Art Experience in partnership with Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, to include a night at Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel and a Mayfair art tour, followed by a stay at The Star and an East Sussex art tour with a focus on the eclectic Bloomsbury group.

Alex Polizzi also takes pleasure in personally leading guests on hikes over the surrounding downland, as far as the white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters. “I do believe meaningful hospitality is a trend,” says Polizzi. “Various CEOs have noted people are less interested in ‘stuff’ and more interested in experiences. Customers want to create totemic experiences they will remember forever, rather than just staying in a nice hotel.” She adds: “Today, wellbeing encompasses everything from good nutritional food, thoughtfulness about providing a good night’s sleep, engaging with the local area by encouraging cultural interaction and experiencing the natural environment.”

The nature trail

When it comes to reconnecting with nature, at Singapore’s newly opened Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, guests can partake in immersive nature walks in the surrounding wildlife reserve and stargazing from the rooftop deck. In contrast, the snow-covered landscape of Finnish Lapland is home to the new Skyra Retreat. Founded by Susanne Hulbekkmo (pictured right), this luxury wellness haven is committed to sustainability, local culture, and genuine human connection.

For Hulbekkmo, growing up in a small Norwegian seaside village where life was shaped by weather, wilderness and simplicity, the need to hit pause every so often is part of a broader ethos. “Our philosophy of ‘Raw Luxury’ came from recognising that the simplest human pillars, nature, time, presence and honesty, have become rare in modern life. And when something becomes rare, it becomes a luxury. If anything, the ‘trend’ exists because people are finally acknowledging how much they’ve been missing. It’s less about following a movement and more about responding to a very real human need.”

At Skyra, luxury comes in the form of stillness, warmth and cold, nourishment and rest without guilt. In this stark setting, sound baths draw on the therapeutic qualities of vibration and stillness; Folklore Sauna Ritual explores heat and traditional Finnish cleansing, and yoga offers gentle movement. In-room meditations are also well-suited to this unforgiving landscape, continuously inviting the guest to check in with themselves.

“The appetite for places that offer both high-end hospitality and wellness is only strengthening, and retreats in remote, nature-rich settings will play an ever more central role in shaping the future of leisure travel,” adds Stevenson, who notes The Travel Division has a partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the world, of which Skyra is a member. This includes preferential rates, room upgrades, spa treatments, plus early check-ins and late check-outs to suit your schedule.

As the hotel model shifts towards more emotionally unforgettable stays, places like these that allow guests to curate their own agenda and feel rested, inspired and connected long after they have handed back their key card, are onto something good.

Banner Image Credit: Owen Vidler - Crafted