At the start of any new year, wellness is often top of mind for many - and it goes without saying that is especially true this year after what 2020 brought for all of us. For Millennials in Travel’s first virtual event of the year, we donned our robes and slippers, calmed our minds, and came together to transport ourselves to the luxury wellness experiences we all sorely miss and share ways to best take care of ourselves in 2021.
In collaboration with our San Diego chapter and Lush Experiences, the event centered on the theme of “Mind, Body, and Spirit,” featuring incredible wellness experiences from three of Lush Experiences’ luxury collection of hotels. Here’s a recap of the fun and collaborative virtual event which left us motivated to be our best selves and committed to carving out some quality self-care time this year.
Christina Willett, Director of Sales Western Region at Lush Experiences, welcomed the group with an overview of Lush Experiences’ expertise and knowledge. As one of North America’s most respected affluent hospitality sales & marketing representation companies, their focus is working with the finest independently-owned luxury hotels, villas, and destination curators throughout the world.
Christina then introduced the evening’s first themed experience:
MIND
To open and relax our minds, Rosalynn Castillo, Director of Sales and Marketing, transported us first to Eden Roc Cap Cana, a five-star Relais & Chateaux resort nestled in Cap Cana, the most exclusive gated beachfront community of the Dominican Republic, with a lovely video overview of the 30,000-acre community’s pristine beaches, towering cliffs and tropical forests, bustling marina, and #1 golf course in the Caribbean and Mexico.
It’s safe to say at that point we all would have rather been at Eden Roc than stuck in our homes!
Then, Eden Roc’s Spa Director Pedro Castillo featured how to prepare a brain booster smoothie recipe from the resort’s world-class Solaya Spa to share the importance of a healthy diet for the mind.
The ingredients were hand-picked to include brain-boosting foods like pecan, melon & spinach, which all contain a high level of antioxidants that help protect our brains' cells. It also includes avocado and healthy fats which improve digestion, memory, and your ability to store and retrieve new information.
Try the recipe for yourself:
BODY
For the next wellness theme (“Body”), the group welcomed Victor Vargas, Director of Sales at Le Blanc Spa Resorts in Cancun and Los Cabos, transporting us to the blissful beaches of Mexico. Both luxury all-inclusive resorts are adults only and feature chic suites with impeccable attention to detail, gourmet dining (not your average all-inclusive buffet!), and luxurious spa sanctuaries.
After learning about the beautiful resort offerings, the group was treated to a live demo on how to create an at-home exfoliating body scrub using readily available ingredients, including coffee!
Coffee has antioxidant and exfoliating properties that serve to remove impurities, help the elasticity, and firmness of the skin. This scrub is ideal for:
Improving circulation and oxygenating the body.
Helping to leave skin glowing and smooth.
Helping decrease the appearance of cellulite.
Here’s all you need to make the scrub for yourself:
Coffee Body Scrub
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of ground coffee
1 tablespoon of Brown sugar
3 tablespoons olive oil or honey
Mix all ingredients and rub gently in circular motions over skin. Rinse thoroughly.
SPIRIT
Rounding out the event’s journey through mind and body wellness was Karen Whitt, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Palms and The Shore Club in Turks and Caicos, who lifted our spirits with not only an overview of the stunningly gorgeous resorts, but also puppies. Yep, you read that correctly - PUPPIES!
Did you know there is an incredible dog rescue charity in Turks & Caicos? A visit to the Potcake Place right near The Palms will certainly leave you with a smile on your face, and perhaps a puppy in your carry-on. Volunteers can help you arrange a no-cost adoption of a rescued pup, known on the islands as a “potcake,” as well as provide everything you need for travel (including customs documentation). The only fee incurred is what the airlines charge for an in-cabin pet.
It’s safe to say the puppies were a highlight of the night, and the group chat was on fire with resounding “aww”s and “brb, heading to Turks and Caicos!”
Following the mind, body, and spirit portions of the event, the group took part in some friendly competition in a round of trivia, testing our recently gained knowledge of the incredible hotels in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Turks and Caicos. Congratulations to our trivia winners, who not only won gift cards, but also impressive titles:
Fully Realized Zen Master: Janelle Ruhumuliza, Lilacs & Chai
Leader of Leveled Up Living: Abby Lagman, Blissful Travel Company
Amaetuer Sage: Theo Laksmana, Bruvion Travel
LOOKING AHEAD in 2021
After everything the past year threw at us, it’s clear that staying healthy and well is a major priority for many. While this year has been very difficult for our beloved travel industry, the resilience of our partners and colleagues and their ability to adapt has been a beacon of light.
It’s worth noting the ways in which all of the properties explored during the event have travelers’ wellbeing top of mind. Whether providing complimentary antigen testing, complimentary quarantine stays for those who test positive for COVID-19, or providing prepared meals for the local community during mandatory closures, hotels are innovating to ensure and promote a return to safe travel.
Many thanks to the event sponsors and all who attended the event! If you’d like to watch the recorded event, you can do so here.
If you weren’t able to attend, or would like to join another event, be sure to regularly check out our calendar of events!
If you’re not an MIT member yet, you can find membership information here.