What’s Really Next for Wellness Travel, According to the Experts

Wellness travel has had a glow-up. At the Citizen Femme x Allbright "Passport To" 2025 conference in London last week, one of the buzziest panel sessions featured a dream team of wellness insiders reimagining what it means to be a "well-travelled professional." Dr. Emma Craythorne, dermatologist and founder of Klira Skin, broke down how science-backed skincare is getting personal and powerful. Anna Bjurstam, Wellness Pioneer and Strategic Advisor at Six Senses, revealed how biomarker testing, hormone-aligned menus, and even somatic therapy are changing the guest journey. Estée Lalonde, founder of the body care brand Mirror Water and longtime digital creator, brought a dose of real talk about what self-care actually looks like in daily life. Moderating the session was Becki Murray, Beauty Editor at Citizen Femme, who steered a dynamic, engaging conversation packed with takeaways.

These women didn’t just talk trends. They challenged the industry to raise the bar on what wellness can be: empowering, personal, pleasurable, and grounded in real science.

Here are seven trends that are shaping the future of wellness travel:

1. Hyper-Personalization is Here to Stay

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all spa menus. From Klira’s custom skin formulations to Six Senses' biomarker screenings, the future of wellness is deeply personalized. Dr. Emma Craythorne explained how dermatological data points inform individualized skincare solutions, including the use of genetic and epigenetic markers to tailor treatments to a person’s lifestyle and environment. Klira, for example, creates custom formulations in a pharmaceutical compounding lab based on an in-depth diagnostic algorithm.

At Six Senses, personalization starts with non-invasive biomarker screenings using medical-grade tools that read stress, glucose response, and other vital indicators. Treatments are then adapted based on hormonal cycles and individual data. A game-changer for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, or cycle-related fluctuations.

"What works for one person might actually harm another," Dr. Emma shared. "We need to treat the person, not the population."

She also emphasized the importance of practicality in skincare: gentle cleansers, consistent SPF use, and results-driven actives like tretinoin. Klira’s goal is to make these science-backed essentials feel luxurious and easy to use, bridging clinical outcomes with self-care enjoyment. And no, your skincare routine doesn’t need to have 12 steps.

2. Wellness as Pleasure, Not Punishment

Panelists pushed back against the wellness-as-discipline mindset. Anna Bjurstam urged us to reframe wellness as a source of joy, not just optimization. Instead of viewing wellness like a checklist or a penance, she advocates for pleasure-forward routines that celebrate life.

Estée Lalonde agreed, noting that "scented oils and self-massage can be as important as supplements."

This trend reflects a shift away from punishing routines and toward rituals that nourish, delight, and restore.

3. Mental Resilience & Cognitive Health Go Mainstream

Women are traveling not just for rest, but to reboot mentally. With the rise of burnout and brain fatigue, resorts are addressing cognitive health through nature immersion, breathwork, sound baths, and even somatic therapy. At Six Senses, programming includes barefoot forest walks, gratitude journaling, and nervous system-regulating exercises.

"Most women arrive exhausted," said Six Senses Bjurstam. "Our job is to help them remember what feeling good actually feels like."

One tip she shared that hit home: set two morning alarms. One to wake up. One to check your phone. Protect your brain from that early digital overload.

4. Digital Detox is the New Luxury

With screen time off the charts, the ability to unplug is now a major draw. Six Senses is seeing record interest in digital detox programming. Their approach includes encouraging slow mornings, technology-free zones, and grounding practices to reset the mind.

Estée Lalonde’s initiative, personal habit of "Silly Little Walks," taps into this too. It’s proof that stepping away from your screen and into fresh air can transform your mood in under 30 minutes. It's the antidote to the endless scroll.

5. Female Health Is Finally Getting the Spotlight

Six Senses' new female wellness program is turning heads. Built with Dr. Mindy Pelz, it includes comprehensive hormone education, CGM (continuous glucose monitoring), and diagnostic screenings to tailor nutrition, movement, and treatment plans to each phase of the menstrual cycle.

Even meals are cycle-specific. During the luteal phase, for instance, menus include complex carbs to help build progesterone. Guests also receive access to 30+ educational videos so they can continue learning long after check-out.

Anna from Six Senses, "We’re not small men."

"We’re not small men," Bjurstam quipped. "Our wellness should reflect our biology."

This initiative isn’t just about spa days. It’s about education, empowerment, and building sustainable habits that women can take home.

6. Realistic Rituals Over Perfection

Estée Lalonde made a compelling case for less pressure and more permission. Her brand, Mirror Water, was built around realistic rituals that don’t overwhelm or guilt-trip users.

"You don’t have to be a Pilates-practicing, journaling superhuman to start caring about wellness," Lalonde said.

Her message? Start small. Take a bath. Apply a body oil. Go for that silly little walk. Micro-habits can be powerful, especially when practiced consistently. And if you only make it to day two of that six-day fitness plan? That’s okay too. Give yourself grace. Amen to that!

7. Longevity is Trending, But It Needs Science

The panel agreed: longevity is buzzy, but often buzzy for the wrong reasons. Bjurstam warned of pseudoscience entering the space and outlined how Six Senses is partnering with Oxford researchers to create data-driven, evidence-based programs.

Their upcoming longevity program focuses on cellular processes like autophagy and hormesis. Guests alternate between low-protein fasting days and protein-rich days to stimulate cellular regeneration and muscle growth. It’s biohacking, but with the science to back it up.

So, what does this mean for hoteliers? 

Guests aren’t coming for a basic massage and a matcha anymore. They want evidence-backed programs, tailored treatments, and rituals that feel as good as they work. Think: SPF that earns its spot on the shelf, spa menus that align with your cycle, and digital detoxes that don’t feel like punishment.

Whether you're curating a wellness retreat or rethinking your in-room amenities, the opportunity is clear: smarter wellness with a big helping of joy. The next era of hospitality isn’t just holistic. It’s highly personal, hormone-aware, and a little bit hedonistic.

And honestly? We’re here for it!!