Elevating Experiences with Wellness Soundscapes in Hospitality

Prioritizing Personalization & Well-Being

Today, more hospitality establishments than ever are prioritizing wellness, making it a part of their brand’s image and offerings. In 2017, Hyatt Hotels Corporation acquired Miraval Group and Exhale, two wellness brands, incorporating their offerings into the guest experience. InterContinental Hotels Group is expanding its EVEN Hotels, a brand with wellness at its core. 

As travelers begin prioritizing personalized experiences, mental health, and physical and emotional well-being, hotels in Hawaii are paying attention. Instead of fast-paced one-activity-after-another vacations, today’s adventurer is looking to slow down, recharge, and reconnect with themselves.

One of the critical elements enhancing this experience is wellness soundscapes in hospitality. This growing audio phenomenon is an added benefit that guests not only appreciate but are coming to expect. 

Here, we’ll explore how brands integrate inspired audio into guests’ daily experiences from the moment they arrive. 

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Wellness Soundscapes Defined

As the global health and wellness market grew exponentially, the hospitality industry took note. Addressing each of the five senses became an opportunity to relax guests and help them reconnect to their inner being. From breathtaking nature scenes to healing scents, the hospitality space was transformed. 

In the auditory landscape, soundscaping developed, carefully crafted sounds designed to evoke specific emotions and enhance well-being. These curated audio environments promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve the guest experience. Memorable and rejuvenating, wellness-focused soundscapes demonstrate a hospitality brand’s commitment to well-being. 

Welcoming Guests

These soundscapes should greet guests as they enter the lobby, suggesting the relaxing experience they can expect. Nature sounds that align with your brand set the stage. Some inspirational soundscapes may include,

• Soft waves breaking along a shoreline with the sound of seagulls

• A rainforest’s flowing stream, rustling leaves, and the sound of cicadas and frogs

• Wind through the pines, a hawk's cry, and distant rain

In addition to nature, these carefully designed auditory experiences include ambient music, the combination of which helps your guests leave their cares behind and relax during their stay with you.

Therapeutic Audio in Spa Areas

Today’s spa areas extend beyond the confines of a massage room. They encompass the jacuzzi, sauna, yoga studio, meditation room, and more. Therapeutic audio includes the sound of chimes, singing bowls, native flutes, or tuning forks interlaced with ambient music.

Nature sounds combined with low-frequency pulses have also been shown to entrain relaxed brain states, synchronizing brainwave frequencies in such a way that it induces relaxation. This relaxation sets the stage for healing. 

As Dr. Mitchell L. Gaynor said, “Sound healing is not about curing diseases, but rather creating a state of harmony within the body where healing can occur.”

The Guest’s Room

Letting guests customize the soundscape in their rooms brings the audio experience to the next level. It also supports better sleep and relaxation. Some soundscapes shown to enhance the sleep-wake cycle include nature sounds, white noise like rainfall, and calm instrumental music.

Your guests may not know why they feel so good after leaving your establishment. They do know that they’ll be coming back for more. Soundscapes create an environment that is both memorable and healing. 

At Pacific Audio & Communications, we help hospitality brands offer distinctive experiences by elevating the sensory environment and enhancing well-being. To learn more about wellness soundscapes in hospitality, contact PAC.