“Wellness isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a baseline expectation,” says Landon Shockey, ASID, NCIDQ, Senior Interior Designer at HBG Design. “The most successful environments are both sensory-rich and versatile—crafted to evolve with guest needs while creating meaningful, wellness-infused experiences.”

In today’s hospitality industry, wellness design is no longer an amenity—it’s a strategic must. From spa suites to biophilic architecture, hotel and resort guests expect spaces that support how they want to feel, move, and recharge.

What Is Wellness Design in Hotels and Resorts?

Wellness design integrates mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing into the built environment. It’s not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes wellness means:

WinStar Spa at WinStar World Resort

  • A calming in-room palette and soft glow lighting

  • Aromatherapy showers for personal retreat

  • Full-service spas and fitness spaces

  • Climate-controlled pool environments

  • Outdoor-inspired architecture that promotes natural connection

At HBG Design, we scale wellness design to match how different guests want to engage—whether that’s stillness, movement, or immersive experience.

WinStar Resort Spa

WinStar Spa at WinStar World Resort

– Thackerville, OK

Guests from busy metro areas like Dallas/Ft. Worth and Oklahoma City arrive seeking peace. This spa retreat offers:

  • Touchless therapies

  • Aquathermal bathing

  • Ambient experience shower

Each sensory element is designed to encourage guests to slow down and reconnect.

Cascades at WinStar – Thackerville, OK

You don’t need an ocean to feel serenity. At Cascades, wellness design comes to life through:

  • Lounge pools shaped by ocean-inspired forms

  • Curved daybeds for socializing or solo relaxation

  • Fluid zones that feel like a water-based escape in the heart of the Midwest

Astral Spa at Oaklawn Resort – Hot Springs, AR

Astral Spa at Oaklawn Resort

Wellness also means movement. This spa integrates:

  • Fitness center and outdoor pool with in-water loungers

  • Yoga lawn and shaded treatment areas

  • Multiple ways to stretch, breathe, and rejuvenate

Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Resort – Wayland, MI

In Michigan’s cold climate, warmth and light are vital to wellness. This indoor tropical atrium offers:

  • Six-story, climate-controlled space

  • Poolside lounging by day

  • High-energy concerts and social events by night

This is wellness design that flexes to fit guest energy throughout the day.

Biophilic Wellness Design in Action

Cache Creek Resort

At Cache Creek Resort (CA) nature plays a leading role. We use:

  • Natural light and panoramic views

  • Organic textures and materials

  • Outdoor-inspired interiors to foster a grounded, calming atmosphere

The Future of Hospitality Is Wellness-Focused

Designing for wellness is no longer optional. It’s a powerful differentiator—and a way to build lasting emotional connection between guests and place. By focusing on wellness design, hospitality brands can meet guests where they are and give them the freedom to relax, move, and reconnect—on their own terms.