19 Jun 2023
Regenerative wellness concept Ancestral Handmade Hotels eyes South American rollout
BY Megan Whitby
Ancestral Handmade Hotels is a brand-new regenerative wellness hotel concept
seeking to revive and celebrate ancestral wisdom and tribal traditions at every step – from building methods to wellness programming.
The new hotel group is the brainchild of Ana Ramirez, a passionate industry architect who is deeply committed to prioritising human and planetary health in the built environment.
Originally from Colombia, Ramirez is planning to launch a flagship Ancestral property in her hometown of Medellin, the second largest city in the country, but also has her sights set on Peru and Ecuador.
In the latest issue of Spa Business, she reveals more about her exciting plans.
The vision
“I've specialised in luxury and wellness hospitality design for 15 years, managing turnkey projects for firms such as SB Architects and OBM International,” Ramirez said, “however, during the pandemic I decided to forge my own path to prioritise creating designs that truly resonate with me.
“My goal with Ancestral is to uplift humanity by creating wellness retreats in collaboration with local communities that work in tandem with the land and are rooted in nature.
“In fact, Ancestral’s raison d’etre is to shine a spotlight on the power of ancient practices, local culture, traditional healing, regenerative tourism and nature in each of its locations.”
The concept
Each destination will be anchored by a comprehensive wellness area called The Reserve Spa featuring a Herbal Sensorial and Longevity Spa, a Wellness and Wellbeing Retreat Hub, a herbal apothecary and a plant-based restaurant.
To create the wellness menu, Ramirez plans to partner with local healing people to learn about their distinctive wellness traditions to preserve their legacy.
“In Colombia, for example, we’re devising a menu of clay mud baths, coffee massages and exfoliations, essential oil workshops, sound bath drum therapy and equine therapy.”
Other experiences will include a bioenergy dome, earthing pods, cacao ceremonies, quantum healing, fermentation classes and archaeological hiking trails.
Meanwhile, Ancestral accommodation will consist of smart bungalows immersed in nature and equipped with wellness technology.
“We’re designing all buildings sustainably and integrating sacred geometry with biophilic and bioclimatic design, as well as bio-energy to create hotels which are built to make people feel better,” Ramirez explained.
“In future, my team and I want to partner with neuroscientists to conduct research which proves the positive effects these spaces have on wellbeing.”
The hotels will feature a main communal area complete with a lobby and lounge bar, bazaar, local fusion restaurant and an aborigen coffee-tea cacao shop. Ancestral locations will also be created with gardens and a botanic event nursery to offer farm organic produce and open a soil-to-table deli and bakery.
Ancestral’s target market consists of wellness travellers, nature enthusiasts and also families – “I believe in promoting wellbeing at all ages” said Ramirez.
“We want to connect all of our guests with nature and immerse them in a different culture – and this will be a concept for locals and tourists alike, so we foresee an equal split between these groups as our customers.”
Head to the full interview at Spa Business for a progress update on the first Ancestral property in Medellin and Ramirez’s rollout plans for the group.
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