EVEN Hotels Brings Wellness Wherever You Are

For the last two years our yearly trends forecast has included the concept of Healthy Hotels using IHG’s all-wellness-focused EVEN™ Hotels as a prime example. So, it was no wonder I jumped at the chance to visit the newly opened Norwalk, Connecticut, location to take this healthy hotel for a spin.

A short hour drive from Manhattan, EVEN Norwalk proved to be a healthy hotel after this gal’s heart. Upon arrival you are met with the “Well-come” greeting on the natural wood facade: “If you are feeling well, you’re looking good. Please come on in,” and through the front doors the fresh scent of the live green wall immediately lets you know you are in a place that focuses on staying healthy while on-the-go. There are four varieties of fruit-infused water to allow you hydrate immediately, and water stations throughout the hotel to promote hydration. Making it even easier, the EVEN Hotels water bottle provided for you in your room to refill at all of the stations and to take home to continue to “work hard, play nice, and refresh often” long after you’ve left.

Keep Active

Another awesome feature at check in are your room keys. Say farewell to the plastic cards of days past and hello to branded bracelets that not only grant you access to your room but also to the state-of-the-art bright and welcoming fitness center, located directly behind the lobby to give those that like to get in a late-night or early-morning sweat sesh a feeling of security. If you’re more like me and prefer to get your workout in privately, there is amazing equipment right in your room and a huge array of expert led streaming workouts available right on your in-room television. You can even get out for a run by asking the wellness-savvy staff for recommended running routes and trails in the area. There are no excuses not to keep up with your regular healthy routine!

Eat Well

After checking in and receiving a cool towel on arrival, you can opt to take the stairs up to your room, which have motivational messages written on them to keep you inspired, or take a walk past Kale & Cork, the on-site healthy restaurant and grab-and-go dining option! With a variety of delicious and good-for-you menu items and snacks that fit in with every diet, Kale & Cork is the perfect answer to the usual food options and snacks you’ll find in hotels. In fact, I loved one of their salads so much I came home and immediately tried to replicate it, you can find the recipe here! The menu features smoothies, salads, desserts, flat breads, and organic and healthy cocktails (you must try the EVEN Keeled!). Items are highlighted by small badges denoting foods that contain Superfoods (containing kale, quinoa, and/or chia), that boost Immunity (containing at least 100 percent daily value of vitamin C), that are Calming (containing at least 20 percent daily value of magnesium and or vitamin B6), that are Vegan, under 426 calories, or are SPE Certified.

Rest Easy

After a long day of meetings, working out, and eating well, resting is always top of mind and the beyond comfortable beds with their cooling eucalyptus sheets ensure a truly restorative sleep! As well the rooms are equipped with color LED mood lighting – great to power your work out or get you ready for bed after grabbing a complimentary glass of the calming tea in the lobby. Wash up with all natural scents to either promote invigoration or calming down (this scent was easily the best I’ve found in any hotel room I’ve ever stayed in!). If you need to get some work done the rooms feature both a sit down desk with an ergonomic chair as well as a standing desk to keep you on your feet!

Up next? Locations in New York City! Perfect for staying healthy while traveling to the city that never sleeps!