CHLA Lodging News Nov/Dec 2019

12 CALIFORNIA LODGING NEWS www.calodging.com AS THE INN’S DESIGNER, ALONG WITH THE OWNER, WHAT WERE THE MOST EXCITING AMENITIES OR FEATURES YOU INCORPORATED INTO THE PROPERTY? Given my background in landscape architecture, it was important to me that in addition to the building itself, the land surrounding it should also be “well.” Our implementation of the biodynamic urban farm is the fulfillment of that vision. It envelopes the property and creates a unique environment for the building to sit within. Biodynamic farming treats the entire land area as a living organism that is self- sustaining and generates its own vitality. This enables our WELL project to be more than just a building—it is a whole environment that extends the elements of WELL outward. The productive landscape directly offers food that supports WELL’s Nourishment concept. At the same time, it provides a powerful sensory experience: the beautiful scenery, the shifting aromas of various medicinal and traditional herbs, even the surprising sounds of frogs that have made our fountain a home. One of the reasons the inn really works as a wellness destination is the immersive experience of biophilia that it creates. The maker’s station, where guests can create planters with herbs, vegetables and succulents is an unusual concept for our industry and enables people to engage the creative process and create wellness- supporting items that they bring back to their home. Most importantly, we want them to not just experience wellness here, but to bring wellness into their own homes. FROM CHECK-IN TO CHECK-OUT, WHAT CAN A GUEST EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE AT THE INN AT MOONLIGHT BEACH? • They experience something authentically Encinitas. • They get to quiet their mind and connect with their souls. • They experience joy of connection with nature, other people and their conscious selves. • This place (garden and rooms) is alive and awaiting you to enter. Your five senses are awakened as soon as you arrive. With a simple, modern, functional design aesthetic, guests experience tranquility from the moment they arrive on property. Japanese boxwood, lavender, rosemary, and bamboo greet guests from the formal entry garden. In the ceremonial hallway, flickering lanterns cast a soft glow on the white stucco and vertical wood-slat walls. At the far end of the hallway, a large circular opening representing the moon overlooks a private garden. The calming influence of the environment promotes peace. Each room is minimalist in its design with a soothing neutral color palette offset by the fresh-cut flowers from the inn’s gardens. Guests are greeted upon arrival with a freshly brewed cup of tea and fresh fruit, as well as the soothing scents and sounds from the in-room aromatherapy diffuser and sound-therapy machine. Most of the inn’s five suites offer full or partial ocean views with private decks designed for yoga, meditation, and relaxation. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER HOTELIERS INTERESTED IN PURSUING WELL CERTIFICATION? My advice would be, trust and use the WELL Building Standard and the support of IWBI. This was a leap of faith for us, and no financial analysis could have told us it would make sense, because it hadn’t been done before in our industry. The world is transforming rapidly, and people are becoming more conscious and awakened day by day. Well-being conscious travel is what people want, today, and in the near future; the industry needs to recognize this and adapt. But WELL is good business now, and this is just the beginning.    continued Photographs courtesy of Inn at Moonlight Beach and Jenny Siegwart