InterContinental Hotels Group Opens First Fitness and Wellness Hotel Brand

The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Atlanta, has opened its first EVEN Hotel, the company's lifestyle hotel brand with a focus on fitness and wellness. The new EVEN Hotel is in Norwalk, CT.

The Norwalk location—and future EVEN Hotel locations—include a fitness studio adjacent to the lobby as well as a room for group cycle and yoga classes. The property's chief wellness officer leads a morning community run. In addition, each guest room has cork flooring and a variety of personal exercise equipment, plus a mobile app offers an exercise guide.

Kirk Kinsell, president of the Americas division of IHG, said the company will open its second EVEN Hotel later this month in Rockville, MD. Three other facilities are in the works, one in Brooklyn, NY, and two in midtown Manhattan.

"We know that for the traveling public, the ability to maintain their health routine while on the road is becoming more and more important, and EVEN Hotels provides the tools and encouragement to make healthier choices while on the road at an approachable price point," Kinsell said in a statement.

Every EVEN Hotels location will feature a three-zone gym with best-in-class equipment and a Flex Room for group fitness classes. Each guestroom has the in-room EVEN Hotels Trainer and a yoga mat. The guest room is flexibly designed so guests can work out without obstruction.

Each location will have a digital Wellness Wall in the main lobby area featuring information about local fitness activities including running paths and ways to book fitness classes at nearby gyms and studios.

The company also maintains a website, wellwellwell.com, offering healthy travel tips. The site publishes content created by its editorial team as well as contributors, including health and wellness leaders, lifestyle experts and travelers. It features articles and tips on how to exercise, eat, rest and find the best local places while traveling to cities across the country.  

“We firmly believe that the EVEN brand will be a key driver in market share growth in the U.S. as well as a unique, differentiated choice for our franchise owners,” Kinsell said.