Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) will take its wellness-focused Even Hotels brand outside the US for the first time, after securing a contract to open a hotel in Auckland, New Zealand.

Like the existing four Even hotels in the US, the 200-bedroom Even Hotel Auckland will feature fresh, natural and modern design, bringing the “outdoors inside” and offering “playful and energising workspaces,” as well as dining and social areas.

Working in partnership with Sydney, Australia-based private investment firm Pro-invest Group, IHG is planning on developing a portfolio of Even Hotels across key Australian and New Zealand capital cities and economic hubs. Set to open in 2020, the Auckland property will be the first in Pro-Invest Group’s portfolio of 10-15 Even Hotels across the region.

The Even brand was launched by IHG 2012 after it identified a consumer trend toward holistic wellness – especially as it relates to travel.

The Even model is focused on four pillars of wellness: nutrition, fitness, overall wellbeing and productivity.

The brand offers design and technology elements to help guests maintain wellness, including “Athletic Studios” equipped with the latest fitness innovations, in-room exercise zones and relaxation areas.

Bedrooms have been fitted with high-tech lighting and bedding options – such as eucalyptus linens and colour-changing mood lights – as well as aromatherapy amenities, intended to encourage a good night’s sleep.

Dining options at all Even hotels are based on offering guests fresh and locally-sourced, organic foods.

“Increasingly, travellers are realigning their priorities to put wellbeing first in today’s over-scheduled and ‘always on’ culture,” a spokesperson for IHG said.

“As they endeavour to stick to good routines on the road, wellness travel has flourished, outpacing regular travel by 50 per cent and reflecting the need for travellers to recharge, refresh and rejuvenate themselves to maintain a healthy life balance.”

Jan Smits, IHG’s CEO for Asia, Middle East and Africa, said: “Some brands know what they’re made of; we know who we’re made for. Wellness travel is a global phenomenon and a $563bn industry today and, with Even Hotels, we have a created a brand that will deliver a local wellness experience to travellers for whom health and wellbeing is so important.

“I firmly believe that the Even Hotels brand will be a key driver in market share growth in New Zealand and Australia.“

Wellness brand Even Hotels plans further US expansion