Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts

Post Published October 7, 2024

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Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Ennismore's expansion into experiential luxury resorts





Ennismore's foray into experiential luxury resorts through its partnership with Our Habitas represents a significant strategic move. This collaboration puts Ennismore in the driver's seat for Our Habitas' growth, leveraging its experience in managing and expanding hospitality brands. Our Habitas, with its unique approach to luxury and its emphasis on community building, has carved a niche in the industry, particularly through its 10 existing properties in diverse destinations like Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Namibia. The partnership is poised to amplify Our Habitas' reach, especially in key markets like Saudi Arabia and Asia, with a substantial portion of new hotel development planned for these regions.

Ennismore's broader expansion plans involve opening over 15 new hotels globally in 2024, including locations in bustling hubs such as London, Dubai, and Jakarta. The ambition is clear—to redefine luxury in a way that moves beyond opulent facilities and focuses on genuine and meaningful experiences that appeal to modern travelers. Whether this approach will be enough to differentiate them amidst an already saturated luxury travel market remains to be seen. Time will tell if this strategy will allow them to create a new gold standard in luxury travel, one that truly resonates with the desires of today's discerning guests and connects with a deeper sense of community and adventure.

Ennismore's ambition to expand its portfolio into experiential luxury resorts through the Our Habitas partnership appears to be a calculated move, capitalizing on a growing segment of the travel market. It's interesting to see them incorporate this brand into their diverse collection of lifestyle hotel brands. Our Habitas, with its roots in creating immersive experiences, seems a good fit for Ennismore's vision.

The success of the venture hinges on their ability to manage and scale up a brand that is built on a foundation of unique, local experiences. Expanding Our Habitas' reach from its current 10 locations across various countries like Mexico and Namibia to new markets in Saudi Arabia and Asia requires strong management. The operational expertise of Ennismore, which includes a large development pipeline, including new hotel openings in London, Dubai, and other locations, could be beneficial in this regard.

It remains to be seen how this integration will play out. Will the fusion of Ennismore's brand management skills with Our Habitas' focus on "Luxury for the Soul" result in a seamless blend? From an operational standpoint, it'll be interesting to watch how their plans for future expansion will affect existing community connections and relationships. Achieving continued growth while preserving the authenticity of the "experiential luxury" concept that has driven Our Habitas will be a key challenge.


Ennismore's venture with Our Habitas certainly demonstrates the trends in the hospitality landscape. It is likely that this collaboration could attract more travelers who seek deeper and more authentic travel experiences, further fueling a growing trend in the sector. However, the challenge will be to adapt these experiences for various locales without sacrificing local authenticity and cultural integrity. In the end, the true test will be in maintaining the spirit of Our Habitas while integrating it into Ennismore's broader ecosystem and whether this unique brand of experiential luxury will resonate with a wider audience.

What else is in this post?

  1. Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Ennismore's expansion into experiential luxury resorts
  2. Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Our Habitas unique approach to hospitality
  3. Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - New destinations on the horizon for the partnership
  4. Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Redefining luxury travel through authentic experiences
  5. Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Sustainability initiatives in the combined portfolio
  6. Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Impact on the competitive landscape of luxury resorts

Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Our Habitas unique approach to hospitality





Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts

Our Habitas takes a different approach to hospitality, prioritizing authentic connections and enriching experiences, rather than simply luxury for luxury's sake. They call it "Luxury for the Soul". Founded a few years ago with the goal of forging genuine human connections and boosting local communities, Our Habitas has built 10 resorts across the globe, emphasizing sustainability and immersion in local cultures. This distinctive approach, focused on experiences rather than just fancy facilities, aligns well with Ennismore's desire to manage and expand lifestyle-focused hotels. The question will be whether the partnership can successfully integrate Our Habitas into Ennismore's existing framework without diminishing the soul of the brand that's drawn travelers to its unique approach. The challenge will be to expand the brand's reach and upscale the operations, while retaining the essence that defines the brand. It's a bold experiment within the hospitality world that could change how people define luxury travel in the future, but it will require a careful balancing act between business and experience to succeed.

Our Habitas' unique approach to hospitality centers around a philosophy they call "Luxury for the Soul." It's not simply about opulent accommodations; rather, it's about fostering a genuine connection with the surrounding environment and the local communities. They achieve this by meticulously integrating the local culture into their design and experiences.

You'll often find local art and architecture integrated into their designs, resulting in a unique and site-specific feel for each resort. It's almost as if the buildings themselves tell the story of the place, which is a fascinating approach from an engineering perspective. They also emphasize wellness programs that align with the natural surroundings, offering experiences such as beach yoga or guided nature walks. The idea seems to be that there's a synergy between the location and the well-being of the visitor.

This focus extends to fostering connections with local communities. They often collaborate with local artisans to provide workshops and cultural experiences, aiming to bring both personal enrichment and economic support to the areas where they operate. It's a clever way to both give back to the community and immerse visitors in a deeper, more meaningful experience.

The culinary scene is also crafted to feature local ingredients. This promotes both healthier dining options and supports regional agricultural practices, a potentially valuable approach for enhancing local food systems. Another intriguing aspect is their attention to lighting and the use of natural light in communal areas. It seems they believe that creating a mood and atmosphere that is beneficial to one's well-being is just as crucial as other amenities.

The resorts often incorporate technology to enhance comfort, like smart lighting and climate control that can be personalized by guests. And they offer a range of adventure travel activities, which likely involve tailoring the intensity and risk levels to match guest preferences and capabilities. That element, to me, sounds akin to creating a dynamic design for a safe and thrilling experience.

Their architecture frequently reflects a minimalist aesthetic, which some studies suggest can be beneficial for relaxation and mental clarity. And because they recognize that more people are embracing remote work lifestyles, many locations provide well-designed co-working spaces, enabling a seamless integration of work and leisure. Finally, they use local guides and cultural experts to offer guests further opportunities for learning and discovery. It appears that fostering a sense of exploration and self-discovery is a crucial part of their vision.

Essentially, Our Habitas takes a holistic view of the guest experience. It's not just about the physical surroundings but about the connection to place, the impact on individual well-being, and the chance to contribute to the local ecosystem. Whether this can truly translate to a new standard of luxury on a large scale, with Ennismore's involvement, is an interesting question, one that only time can answer.



Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - New destinations on the horizon for the partnership





The Ennismore and Our Habitas partnership promises to bring a fresh wave of experiential luxury resort destinations, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Asia. This expansion aims to further embed the brand's philosophy of immersive travel, blending cultural authenticity with sustainability into new resort developments. The potential for a new wave of luxury travel experiences in these regions is significant, as travelers are increasingly seeking genuine connections and unique interactions. However, the success of this partnership hinges on the ability to maintain the soul of the Our Habitas brand as they navigate larger-scale operations and wider markets. It's a captivating experiment that challenges the traditional notion of luxury travel, striving for deeper engagement with both guests and the surrounding environments. The question is whether this unique approach to luxury can successfully expand beyond its current footprint, retaining its core values while attracting a broader audience.

New destinations on the horizon for the partnership are likely to be shaped by a confluence of factors impacting the travel landscape. Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 plan, with its substantial tourism investments, is expected to fuel a surge in travel demand. This, coupled with a projected 30% increase in global premium class travel by 2025, presents a lucrative opportunity for high-end resorts to cater to travelers willing to spend more for exceptional experiences.

The rise of loyalty programs and the increasing use of points and miles for luxurious travel, especially with airlines like Emirates and Qatar, has made premium destinations more accessible to a broader range of travelers. Further, the emergence of new direct routes from regional airports opens up the potential for previously less-accessible destinations to experience a surge in tourism. Direct flights to places like Abha in Saudi Arabia can certainly help make new luxury resorts more viable.


We are also observing a rise in culinary tourism, which is projected to become an $8 billion market by 2025. Resorts that can leverage local ingredients and create distinct gastronomical experiences will gain a competitive edge in attracting visitors. The growing importance of wellness travel, evidenced by research showing that 80% of consumers prioritize destinations offering such programs, creates an incentive for luxury resorts to incorporate health-focused offerings into their facilities.

Furthermore, as travelers are becoming increasingly attuned to inauthentic marketing, they favor brands that build genuine connections and foster authenticity. This plays right into Our Habitas's hands as they continue their efforts to create immersive, culturally rooted experiences. The integration of technology into the guest experience is another crucial development in the hospitality sector. The adoption of smart features and innovative tech applications can be a key factor in attracting tech-savvy travelers.

We've also seen a rise in the number of people who combine work and travel, known as "bleisure" travel. A significant percentage of the workforce is seeking to integrate work with their leisure plans, causing a rise in demand for resorts that offer well-designed co-working spaces. This has to be considered in the future designs of new hotels in this segment. Despite economic fluctuations, luxury travel displays a certain resilience. Luxury travelers often exhibit a lower price sensitivity and maintain their travel habits even in times of economic uncertainty. This underscores the viability of developing new luxury resort projects in emerging markets, even amid economic volatility.


The interplay of these factors will likely drive the expansion of Our Habitas into new territories, pushing the boundaries of experiential luxury in diverse destinations. It'll be fascinating to see how these emerging trends shape future development and influence the direction of luxury travel.



Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Redefining luxury travel through authentic experiences





Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts

Luxury travel is evolving, with a growing emphasis on experiences that connect travelers to their surroundings in a meaningful way. The partnership between Ennismore and Our Habitas is a prime example of this trend, seeking to redefine luxury travel by prioritizing authentic experiences over traditional notions of lavishness. Our Habitas, with its established portfolio of resorts in unique locations around the world, has positioned itself as a leader in immersive and culturally enriching travel. Their focus is on fostering connections with local communities and integrating local culture into every aspect of the guest experience, from cuisine and design to wellness and adventure activities.

Ennismore, with its experience in hospitality, aims to enhance Our Habitas' reach and operational capabilities, potentially leading to an expansion into new, emerging travel destinations. This venture holds the potential to elevate experiential luxury to new heights, offering travelers a deeper level of engagement and a more profound understanding of the destinations they visit. However, the partnership will face the challenge of scaling operations while preserving the brand's core values of authenticity and connection. Whether this ambitious collaboration can successfully maintain its commitment to genuine and immersive experiences as it expands remains to be seen. The future of luxury travel may hinge on the success of this new era of experiential luxury resorts.

Ennismore's alliance with Our Habitas seems to be riding a wave of evolving travel preferences, particularly in the luxury segment. A noticeable trend is the increased availability of premium airline seats using points and miles, potentially making luxury travel more accessible to a broader audience. This aligns with the growing desire for authentic cultural experiences, as research indicates a significant majority of travelers prioritize them over traditional luxury amenities. It makes sense then that luxury is being redefined by the quality of genuine connections with local cultures, a notion that seems to drive Our Habitas' model.


The hospitality landscape is seeing the rise of culinary tourism as a major force, with projections estimating it to reach $8 billion by 2025. This presents a compelling opportunity for luxury resorts to create distinctive dining experiences centered around regional ingredients, crafting memories that go beyond just meals. Furthermore, a projected 30% increase in premium class travel by 2025, largely driven by younger demographics like millennials and Gen Z, underlines a demand shift. These younger generations are more interested in unique, immersive experiences, forcing a need for innovation and diversified offerings in the luxury resort market.


The growing trend of blending work and leisure, also known as "bleisure" travel, is further reshaping the hospitality scene. A large portion of the professional workforce now extends their business trips for leisure, thus creating a demand for resorts with built-in flexible workspaces. This allows guests to seamlessly manage their professional and personal lives without disrupting their experience.


Technology is steadily becoming a key differentiator in luxury travel. Hotels and airlines are incorporating smart features like personalized climate control and contactless services. A significant portion of travelers prioritize accommodations with these technological conveniences, underscoring the increasing importance of smart features in elevating guest comfort.


The desire for wellness experiences in travel is also a powerful trend, with a majority of travelers actively seeking resorts offering health-focused services and amenities. This creates an incentive for luxury properties to incorporate health-centric offerings, creating a competitive edge in attracting health-conscious guests.


Authenticity in cultural experiences remains a vital factor in the modern luxury travel market. Travelers increasingly favor experiences like workshops with local artisans or guided tours led by community experts. This trend aligns with the core ethos of the Ennismore and Our Habitas partnership, where cultural immersion is a defining aspect of the guest journey.


The trend toward memorable, unique experiences has made travelers willing to pay a premium for them. This supports the ongoing need for resorts to develop innovative and immersive packages that truly engage the traveler beyond the usual trappings of luxury.


Finally, the expansion of direct flight routes to more remote or previously less accessible destinations is reshaping the landscape of luxury travel. Airline expansions are breaking down barriers for travelers who are eager to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and enjoy authentic local experiences outside of standard tourist zones.


The interplay of these trends suggests a future of luxury travel characterized by authentic experiences and culturally enriching immersion. It will be intriguing to witness how these emerging trends shape future resort developments and the broader direction of luxury travel, especially as we see more ventures like Ennismore and Our Habitas try to innovate and push the boundaries of luxury travel.



Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Sustainability initiatives in the combined portfolio





The partnership between Ennismore and Our Habitas presents a chance to elevate the importance of sustainability within the luxury resort landscape. Our Habitas' strong focus on environmentally responsible hospitality will likely be a key driver in shaping the future developments within the combined portfolio. Expect to see a greater emphasis on practices such as locally sourced food for dining, working with local craftspeople, and fostering wellness experiences that are rooted in the natural surroundings of each resort. The industry is increasingly demanding more sustainable tourism choices, and this collaboration could serve as a model for others to follow. However, to truly be successful, the companies will have to navigate the challenges of expanding the business without sacrificing the unique aspects and values that make both brands stand out.

Within the combined Ennismore and Our Habitas portfolio, sustainability efforts are increasingly intertwined with broader industry trends. The growing global wellness tourism sector, projected to reach substantial heights by 2022, showcases a clear shift in traveler preferences towards health and relaxation, which aligns perfectly with the wellness-focused approach embedded in Our Habitas’ resort design.

Interestingly, studies indicate that minimalist architectural styles can positively impact mental well-being. This suggests that the design choices made within Our Habitas' properties might contribute directly to guest satisfaction and relaxation, providing a fascinating angle for architectural and engineering analysis in the luxury hospitality domain.

Furthermore, the expanding global market for culinary tourism – projected to exceed $8 billion by 2025 – highlights a critical competitive advantage for resorts like those operated under Our Habitas. By emphasizing locally sourced culinary experiences, they can cater to the rising demand for authenticity among travelers.

This move to prioritize experiences over traditional luxury items is particularly evident in millennial travel trends. A substantial portion of millennials express a stronger preference for unique experiences compared to material possessions, which encourages the hospitality industry to develop creative solutions. This mirrors the type of innovations seen in the Ennismore-Our Habitas partnership.

Another trend influencing this combined portfolio is the rise of remote work and "bleisure" travel. A significant portion of remote workers are now integrating business trips with leisure activities, creating a need for hospitality spaces that effectively cater to both professional and recreational demands.

The airline industry is also experiencing growth, particularly within the premium travel segment. Projected growth of 30% in premium class travel by 2025 indicates an increase in demand for upscale experiences that could fuel higher demand for luxury resorts developed by the joint entity.

Expansions of direct flight routes also influence the strategy. Increased flight access to previously less accessible regions, such as those targeted under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, directly impacts the feasibility of establishing new luxury resorts in emerging markets.

This type of initiative has positive spillover effects. Integrating local art and architecture into resort designs not only enriches the guest experience but can also boost local economies, fostering a synergistic relationship between tourism and community development.

In a time where technology plays a larger role, incorporating innovative features such as personalized climate control and tech integration is becoming essential. Notably, a significant proportion of travelers prioritize accommodations with such amenities, illustrating the critical importance of technology integration in new resort developments.

Lastly, incorporating local artisan workshops and guided tours that are community-led within the resort experience does not only strengthen authenticity but also contributes to the local economy. This type of practice creates a reciprocal relationship for both guests and the local communities that host these endeavors.


Essentially, the sustainability initiatives that are part of the Ennismore and Our Habitas partnership appear to be closely linked to broader changes in the travel market. It will be interesting to watch how they navigate incorporating these trends into their business strategy.



Ennismore and Our Habitas Join Forces A New Era for Experiential Luxury Resorts - Impact on the competitive landscape of luxury resorts





The Ennismore and Our Habitas partnership is poised to shake up the luxury resort scene. Combining Ennismore's hotel management strengths with Our Habitas' emphasis on immersive experiences, built around local culture and sustainability, could reshape how travelers perceive luxury. This partnership's expansion plans, especially in places like Saudi Arabia and parts of Asia, will likely face challenges as they attempt to grow while staying true to their experiential ethos. The success of their unique approach hinges on their ability to attract a broader audience, potentially redefining the concept of luxury travel in an industry that's increasingly focused on authentic connections rather than simply lavish facilities. It's a risky yet potentially impactful move that could become a benchmark for how other luxury brands operate in the future.

The luxury resort landscape is undergoing a transformation, driven by evolving traveler preferences and broader market trends. The partnership between Ennismore and Our Habitas appears to be well-positioned to capitalize on this shift, particularly with its focus on experiential luxury. Several trends are reshaping the competitive environment within this sector.

One significant change is the accelerated growth of experiential luxury travel. It's exceeding the growth of conventional luxury vacations, indicating a strong demand for customized and deeply immersive travel experiences. Millennials are at the forefront of this shift, with a majority prioritizing experiences over material items. This changing consumer behavior is pushing luxury resorts to focus on building stronger connections and delivering richer experiences.

Another factor is the expanding culinary tourism market, projected to become a major industry segment. Luxury resorts that integrate authentic regional culinary experiences into their offerings can establish a distinct advantage. Additionally, the rise of remote work and the integration of work and leisure ("bleisure" travel) is impacting resort design. A growing segment of the workforce combines business trips with vacation, demanding luxury properties that seamlessly accommodate both needs. This trend will likely become more prominent in resort architecture and design.


Moreover, improved accessibility through increased direct flights can open up new luxury travel markets. The potential for expansion in previously less accessible destinations will significantly impact luxury resort development as markets become more viable. Another compelling trend is the strong demand for technological integrations within luxury stays. Travelers value innovative tech features, such as personalized climate controls and tailored guest services, creating a compelling incentive for resorts to invest in cutting-edge technology.


Furthermore, the premium travel segment shows strong growth, illustrating a willingness among travelers to spend on luxury travel. This growing demand is likely to fuel the development of new high-end resorts. Related to this trend is a focus on authenticity. An overwhelming majority of travelers desire authentic experiences that connect them with local culture, reinforcing Our Habitas' approach of fostering community engagement.

The unique spending behavior of Millennials—they allocate a larger proportion of their spending to travel compared to previous generations—further underscores the need for luxury brands to adapt their offerings to meet this unique segment's desires for distinctive experiences. Finally, the rapidly expanding global wellness tourism market emphasizes the growing popularity of health-focused travel. This suggests that resorts incorporating health-related amenities and experiences are likely to experience increased appeal amongst a growing segment of the travel population.

The interplay of these trends suggests a future where luxury travel focuses on enriching guest experiences and building strong connections with local cultures. Ennismore and Our Habitas' approach positions them well within this environment. However, the challenge for the joint venture will be successfully scaling operations while maintaining the essence of the Our Habitas brand as they expand into new markets and cater to diverse traveler preferences.


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