Australia’s fastest growing hotel and urban wellness operator, The Hotel & Wellness Co, has revealed exciting plans to launch the country’s first urban thermal bathing and wellness hotel.
During an appearance at the recent Awaken event held at Peninsula Hot Springs, co-founders Ben Anderson and Jamie Srubis outlined ambitious plans to launch a series of urban wellness hotels and urban bathhouses around the country, supported by global market leader, and joint venture partner, Peninsula Hot Springs.
Speaking at the event, Anderson and Srubis revealed plans to launch the country’s first genuine urban wellness hotel as their first venture across a series of hotel and venue openings. Commencing with the transformation of Melbourne’s The Kinson into Australia’s first urban bathing and wellness hotel, ex investment banker Anderson and spa expert and chemical engineer Srubis are on a mission to create urban environments for wellbeing and human connection through spaces that foster communities of mindfulness and relaxation.
The transformed The Kinson hotel will boast a unique thermal bathing experience that underpins a broader curated wellness offering that includes a top floor of various urban bathing spaces, sensory zones, a Hamman, and lounge area. Following the company’s principles to offer an authentic wellness experience, the hotel will also offer reflexology, sauna, daybeds, a broad range of transitional first nations medicinal spa treatments, plus aligned food and beverages.
Working directly with Peninsula Hot Springs, mineral salts from the geothermal hot springs will be extracted for use within the hotel’s bathing spaces, replicating the mineral content and therapeutic benefits of a natural hot spring, in an urban context. Supported by science, the therapeutic benefits of naturally occurring mineral waters includes improved sleep, reduction of arthritis symptoms, detoxification, promotion of healthy skin, improved muscle and bone health, and reduction of high blood pressure.
With a background in spas as the host of World Spas travel show, as well as being a qualified chemical engineer, Srubis has first-hand knowledge and understanding of spa hotels and wellness treatments, but also the chemical balance required of an urban bathing experience to really deliver on its promise. Srubis’ experience is complemented by Anderson’s background in investment banking, property development, and hotel operations. Together the pair are committed to delivering unique and world class urban bathing and wellness hotels and venues under the The Hotel & Wellness Co. banner.
“We strongly believe that connection is the currency of wellness, and hotels have a unique opportunity to create environments conducive to better sleep, improved overall wellbeing, and human connections when they are developed with that in mind,” Srubis said. “Commencing with the transformation of The Kinson, we have extensive plans to create hotels that are more than just a place to stay or visit. Our vision is to foster better overall human and environmental wellbeing, and we plan to do this through giving our guests the ability to prioritise health and wellbeing experiences.”
Identified as a global industry trend, urban wellness and wellness tourism are experiencing exponential growth. Wellness tourism has been growing at a rate of 36%pa since the pandemic, and urban bathing has also been experiencing a resurgence with the Global Wellness Institute predicting an annual growth rate of 18%pa for thermal and mineral springs through to 2025.
The Kinson’s transformation will commence in coming months with the anticipated launch as the country’s first wellness and urban bathing hotel slated for early 2025. For more information, visit http://www.hotelwellnessco.au/.
