30 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen 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 cuttingedge, 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 Charlestonarea 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 Wellness wish list Businesses we’d love to see in Charleston BY LEAH RHYNE Charleston Women in Business
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