What makes experiential hospitality so beautiful is that it’s a blank slate.
Not because it’s new– there have been agritourism stays, safari lodges and wellness resorts for decades.
Rather due to the endless opportunities with exponential returns.
Yet, the majority of US projects gravitate towards a few themes:
Secluded glamping stays, small cabins/ container homes and my personal favorite– treehouses.
All great concepts with killer returns…
… that are potentially getting overplayed.
While it's tempting to follow successful properties, innovation remains crucial to:
✔️ Decrease Competition Risk
✔️ Increase Uniqueness & Virality Potential
Most importantly, it's about evolving with the Modern Traveler’s changing preferences.
It's the only way to sustain the unique stay returns we've grown accustomed to.
With that said…
Here Are 13 Experiential Hospitality Concepts to Spark Your Next Idea
Some totally out of left field concepts, some waiting to make their mark in the US and some that just need a little more love.
1. Beach Club Villas
Partnering with beach clubs to provide on-site accommodations, villas or glamping that helps them capitalize on their existing demand.
Below is NOA, one of the most well known beach clubs in Croatia.
They provide “glamping” units that come with club & beach access, exclusive parties and private boats– far from the typical experiential stay.
2. Recovery Resorts
Eight Sleep mattresses, sports treatments, curated meal plans, in-room recovery stations, red light therapy– definitely not your standard spa retreat.
SIRO One Za’abeel in Dubai specializes in this, offering luxury recovery-focused getaways for athletes between intense training blocks.
3. Urban Wellness Resorts
Going all-out in recovery and wellness in an urban setting offers the Modern Traveler a nearby break from the busy city life.
SIRO in Dubai, Carillon Hotel in Miami, and even the Equinox Hotels are executing on this at a larger scale, opening up opportunities for smaller, more curated stays.
Urban stays can be experiential too.
4. Adventure Lodges
Heli-skiing, mountain biking, hiking, surfing– stays with activities packaged into the experience, not just offered as “add-ons.”
Eleven Experience is the north star for this, not just in the US but around the world.
5. “Farm Stays” & Agritourism
Farm-to-table meals, gardens, spas and classes all focused around the “farm experience.”
There are a handful of these taking shape in the US like The Fields of Michigan, but very few to the extent of a stay like Babylonstoren in South Africa.
6. Floating Stays
Amazing lake locations with uniquely designed stays are the perfect recipe for both virality and the one-of-one experiences the Modern Traveler craves.
One of my favorite examples, Phutawan Raft House in Thailand 👇🏻
And we can’t forget about FLOHOM, co-founded by Brian Meyer, bringing luxury floating stays to urban harbors across the northeast:
7. Golf Course Landscape Resorts
I touched on this a few weeks ago, but it’s my favorite concept.
Caddies that meet you at your room, countless simulators, live feeds in the clubhouse, wellness amenities and experiences beyond the links.
All with units seamlessly integrated into the landscape– I'll happily be the first guest when someone executes this.
8. “Mobile” Lodges
Safari tents, dining tents and experiences that can be "packed up" and moved around a property or to new locations, giving guests a new experience each visit.
Siruai Mobile Camp is as close as I have seen to this, but I’m not sure how often they actually move the camp.
9. Sport Lodges
Much like adventure lodges, the activities are at the forefront of the stay.
From boxing camps to fishing expeditions to trackside accommodations for car enthusiasts, each venue would come fully staffed with expert guides, instructors, and specialized programming for passionate guests.
All catering to niche sports with affluent, devoted followings.
10. All-in Couples Stays
A resort where every amenity, design feature and service has romantic getaways in mind.
Most hotels dabble in extra services and offerings for couples, very few go all-in on this guest demographic like Chalet Al Foss has done.
11. A Foodie Paradise
Small unit counts, curated cooking experiences and strong chef partnerships that make guests’ meals the focus of their stay.
After the exploding popularity of their exclusive dinners, The Lost Kitchen in Maine did just this, adding a few small cabins for their dinner guests.
This concept could be amplified: sommeliers, cooking classes and dining events with other guests to make it a truly immersive getaway.
12. Fitness Resorts
A huge gym build out, multiple training options, personal trainers and different class offerings.
It’s like taking wellness resorts and flipping them on their head.
Stay Resort in Thailand does just that: a three story gym, boxing center, villas, a healthy deli, farm-to-table restaurants, the list goes on…
13. “Girls Getaways”
Women spend a MASSIVE amount of money on beauty.
A getaway offering on-site hair treatments, massages, facials, personal shopping, and styling services could dominate the market.
The commissions on products/ services here could rival room revenues.
While the Modern Traveler's desires evolve, their craving for unique, shareable experiences remains constant.
To sustain high returns and stand out in a competitive market, we must continually innovate.
By pushing the boundaries of experiential hospitality, we not only meet their changing preferences but also open their minds to new possibilities in travel.
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Exciting news for your unique stay!
We’ve expanded the Oasi team to bring you the same strategies and expertise that fueled Onera’s success.
From boosting your social media presence and marketing strategies, to optimizing pricing and offering full-service property management, we’re ready to help you attract the Modern Traveler and maximize your returns.
Fill out an inquiry here and let’s explore how we can work together.
See you guys next week!
-Ben Wolff
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🎥 Check Out My Episode on Direct Bookings Simplified About the Power of Influencers in Vacation Rentals
Ben Wolff
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