Evermore Orlando Builds Relational Wellness Model

Evermore Orlando Resort is shifting traditional wellness away from solitary spa routines toward shared connection by partnering with social scientist Kasley Killam, author of “The Art and Science of Connection.” The resort embeds social health principles into architectural design, employee shifts, and over 150 programmed activities to test whether human bonding can serve as a measurable stay outcome [1].

What is relational wellness in hospitality?

Relational wellness treats social connection and human bonding as an explicit health outcome alongside solitary practices like sleep, fitness, nutrition, and longevity [1]. Skift reported that traditional wellness focuses heavily on introspective, individual recovery, while public health metrics highlight growing isolation [1]. The World Health Organization estimates that one in six people worldwide experience loneliness [1]. Furthermore, Skift Research found that 36% of travelers plan to spend on health and wellness activities during trips in 2026 [1]. Killam stated during a Skift Studio interview that human connection functions as a distinct pillar of wellbeing that rivals exercise and nutrition in its effects on mental health, physical health, and longevity [1].

How did Evermore design physical spaces for group connection?

Evermore built its physical real estate around large shared layouts rather than standard solitary hotel rooms [1]. Evermore Hospitality President Elizabeth Mullins described the property framework as “a home, a magnet, a slide, and a long table” [1]. The property features homes ranging from four to 11 bedrooms that sleep up to 32 people, with dining tables sized to seat all 32 guests together [1]. Killam noted that built environment elements such as walkability, green spaces, and communal neighborhood layouts create the conditions for spontaneous interaction [1].

How does the resort integrate social health into daily staff operations?

Evermore embeds relational wellness directly into employee workflows from the hiring stage through daily line-up briefings [1]. Mullins stated that after Killam challenged the resort on internal practices, leadership mapped the entire employee journey including job postings, interviews, orientation, training, and recognition [1]. Every work shift opens with a relational wellness challenge, such as meeting a colleague from another department or actively listening to a coworker discuss their weekend [1]. Evermore also integrated social health metrics into its regular employee surveys to measure whether staff understand and feel connection on the job [1]. According to Killam, Americans spend roughly 90,000 hours at work over their lifetimes, and workers with strong belonging exhibit higher engagement, better output quality, and lower turnover rates [1].

How are guest programming and activities being restructured?

The resort audited more than 150 guest activities to insert intentional relational touchpoints into the calendar [1]. Mullins explained that the team reviewed its programming to view guest visits as continuous arcs rather than fragmented schedules [1]. For multiday holidays such as Thanksgiving, the resort structures activities to build connection progressively from one day to the next rather than running isolated standalone events [1]. The initiative aims to counter isolation trends; Killam pointed out that 72% of Americans spend in-person time with loved ones no more than twice a month, giving group-focused travel properties a direct opening to foster intentional face-to-face engagement away from digital devices [1].