Today, people are travelling not just to see but to immerse themselves in the local culture and experience it first-hand. This applies to every aspect of their vacation – from the restaurants, they dine at to the hotels they stay in.

The Lanesborough in London

Hotels are now shifting away from cookie-cutter experiences and embracing the local culture around each establishment to provide the expected service standards with something extra.

HotelsCombined has scoured through the web to uncover some interesting hotel trends and insights to make your next trip a memorable one!

Check them out on your next trip to these countries.

1. JAPAN, Kyoto – Arashiyama Benkei

This accommodation is actually a ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese inn. From bathhouses to rooms with woven-straw flooring and futon mats, you’ll be guaranteed to have a good night’s rest – just like how a local would! There are also onsens (hot springs) located in the vicinity for you to enjoy a rejuvenating trip in Japan.

2. JAPAN, Urayasu – Henn-na Hotel

Instead of your usual concierge, you will be greeted by multi-lingual robots (which include dinosaurs) when checking in at this hotel. You will also not have to worry about losing the room keys as the doors are unlocked by face recognition! Each room is also equipped with a sensor system that automatically detects how warm or cold guests are and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

3. COSTA RICA, La Fortuna – Nayara Hotel Spa and Gardens

With an impressive location – being perched on top of a cliff surrounded by the lush forests and beautiful gardens that overlooks the Arenal volcano, it’d be hard for you to step out of your room every morning! You can take a shower outdoors or if that is too much, you can sip a cup of coffee while enjoying a view of the outdoors from the atmospheric terrace.

4. USA, Maryland – EVEN Hotel Rockville

We know – it can be difficult to find the motivation to hit the gym, especially if you are on a holiday. But, what if the gym is brought to you instead?

At this hotel, each room has a customised workout station with guided videos and fitness equipment for you to get a workout adrenaline boost from the comforts of your room! The cafes are also stocked with healthy food including protein smoothies and quinoa wraps.

5. USA, New York – The Benjamin

Ever dreamt of having your very own pillow? The Benjamin has a curated rest and renewed menu for their customers. Travellers will be able to pick which resonates best with them – from water-filled to anti-snore and memory pillows, rest assured that they’ve got your back, or in this case heads!

6. CANADA, Vancouver – Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Traveling with your favourite scent might be a hassle at times, especially with airline liquid restrictions. Well, this would not be an issue if you are staying at Rosewood Hotel Georgia! This hotel provides a 24-hour Fragrance Butler that will deliver your signature scent right to your doorstep – or even pick out a scent that suits you best if you can’t decide!

7. UK, London – The Lanesborough

It can be hard finding your cup of tea, but The Lanesborough will ensure that this is not an issue if you stay with them! A tea sommelier will share with you the characteristics and benefits of the various tea, and the preparation techniques involved. Of course, this will be accompanied by a selection of freshly baked scones and pastries for an afternoon of delight.

8. SOUTH AFRICA, Kruger – Elephant Plains Game Lodge

If experiencing a close-up encounter with animals in South Africa is something on your travel bucket list, then you must add this resort to your list. Situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, right beside Kruger National Park, it is renowned for its animal sightings which include elephants, lions, leopards and zebras, amongst many others!

Smart and Wellness on the go

With the Internet of Things, hotels are also now adopting them to enhance the in-room guest experience by creating smart rooms. These include tablets that can adjust not just lights but also music, curtains and audio-visual equipment. Add to that adjustable footboard motion sensors with LED lights, a plethora of sleep aids and even olfactory alarm clocks.

This article was contributed by HotelsCombined. For more info on the above hotels, visit here.

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