Self-care is to 2025 what savory Jell-o molds were to the 1950s: ubiquitous. Everywhere you look, you’ll find new ideas and trends to try. Thankfully, unlike SpaghettiOs-n-franks Jell-o molds (yes, it was a thing—Google it if you dare), hot stone scrubs and Himalayan pink salt baths are likely here to stay. With Charleston being one of the hottest travel destinations in the United States, we should be brimming with cutting-edge, exciting wellness experiences. However, our beloved, sleepy Southern city sometimes lags behind on the trendiest therapeutic offerings, so for anyone looking to start or grow a travel-related business in the new year, here are some suggestions to help bring Charleston’s wellness scene up to speed.
Sleep Suites and Retreats
There’s nothing worse than hotel insomnia—whether it’s an uncomfortable bed, barely-muffled hallway chatter or an unfamiliar smell keeping you awake, a lack of sleep in a hotel room can crush your dreams of a peaceful holiday. This universal (and often miserable) experience is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Immersive sleep suites and retreats are emerging as a solution in spas and hotels all over the world. From guided sleep meditations and aromatherapy enhancements to sunrise alarms that sync with the body’s natural rhythms, travelers are craving better rest, and hotels and spas are finding ways to help. A hotel in California even offers in-depth sleep testing and analysis on a guest’s first night to break the cycle of hotel insomnia. Sleep is big business, and Charleston-area hotels and entrepreneurs could take a cue from these innovations to ensure visitors enjoy a truly restful vacation.
Quiet Travel Experiences
Picture this: you love the outdoors—beaches, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding. But as an introvert, you’re not thrilled by the prospect of group outings filled with small talk with strangers that scares away all the birds and other wildlife. At the same time, you’re not quite ready to venture alone into the labyrinth of the Francis Marion National Forest or the winding creeks of Johns Island. What’s an introverted adventurer to do, when staying home every weekend just isn’t an option?
Enter quiet travel experiences. Around the world, spas and resorts are offering silent hikes, guided kayaking trips with minimal chatter, wildlife walks and more. Travelers get therapeutic exercise paired with stunning views—minus the “So, what do you do?” convos. It’s high time Charleston embraced this trend to cater to the introverts, birdwatchers and peace-seekers among us.
Hydrotherapy
Cold plunges are having a moment. Truly, you can’t swing a stick without hitting someone raving about their benefits. It’s like CrossFit, only cooler. Celebrities like Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Harry Styles and Lizzo swear by cold plunges for tightening skin, soothing sore muscles, rejuvenating after a late night out and so much more. Combine this with the timeless appeal of warm baths, hot tubs, aromatic oils and bubbles, and you’ve got a recipe for a luxurious hydrotherapy spa.
Spas across the country are offering customizable hydrotherapy circuits that include temperature-controlled plunges, saunas, aromatherapy showers and other treatments to energize or relax patrons—or sometimes both. With its coastal charm featuring salt and freshwater all around us, Charleston could make a splash in this booming wellness niche.
Puppy Yoga
Hear me out: puppy yoga. Imagine a beautiful yoga studio filled with wriggling, giggle-inducing puppies and make it a daily reality, because while these sessions occasionally pop up through local meetups or Pet Helpers events, this concept deserves a dedicated space in Charleston.
Picture this: a sparkling yoga studio with waterproof mats, partnered with local animal rescues like Charleston Animal Society, Pet Helpers, Berkeley County Animal Center and Dorchester Paws. Talented yoga instructors trained to gracefully tolerate all the adorable puppy chaos. A stellar clean-up crew used for mopping up accidents. The result? A joyful haven where yoga enthusiasts can stretch and laugh while puppies find forever homes. Someone needs to launch this business, stat—I’m ready for some simultaneous stretches and belly scratches.
More Wellness Possibilities
These ideas just scratch the surface. Think social self-care spaces where friends can get facials and mani-pedis together in cozy spaces, or sport-specific spa experiences tailored to golfers with backaches and pickleballers nursing wrist strains. Wellness is a booming industry, and Charleston has plenty of room to grow. Dive into these trends and watch the magic happen.
By Leah Rhyne