Exclusive Feature: The first hotel completely dedicated to heath and wellness is now open;

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the opening of its first EVEN Hotel in Norwalk, Connecticut, this week.

The healthy-inspired hotel has 129 guest rooms on four floors, a business center, outdoor spaces, fitness center, and a dedicated restaurant serving healthy cuisine for the heart-healthy traveler.

IHG announced the formation of this new brand in 2012 and has plans to open more hotels in New York (one in Manhattan and one in Brookyln), Washington, DC, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles. The next EVEN Hotel opens in Rockland, Maryland, later this month. 

"We know that for the traveling public, the ability to maintain their health routine while on the road is becoming more and more important and EVEN Hotels provides the tools and encouragement to make healthier choices while on the road at an approachable price point," Kirk Kinsell, president of IHG's Americas region, said in a statement.

IHG plans to maintain the exclusive wellness elements of all EVEN Hotels, go guests know exactly what to expect when they check in. Some of the similar things you'll see at every EVEN Hotel includes:

• Cork & Kale Market & Bar, a healthy F&B concept that serves freshly prepared items and grab-and-go items with clear nutritional and ingredient labeling;
• Natural and eco-friendly elements like real wood surfaces, terrariums and natural scents
• A digital "Wellness Wall" where guests can learn about in-hotel and local food, fitness and community activities;
• Sleep-conducive guest rooms that include natural eucalyptus linens, adjustable LED mood lighting and showers with all-natural bath products; and
• Various fitness center amenities and options including an athletic studio, spin and yoga classes, community runs and in-room workout equipment.

Some of the EVEN Hotels are located in popular business-traveler cities, and IHG spared no expense at ensuring a productive workspace. Ergonomic chairs and desks are in every guest room, as well as free WiFi and multi-media ports in all guest rooms and throughout common spaces.

As more hotels are focused on helping travelers maintain healthy lifestyles, I anticipate you'll start to see more of EVEN's elements seeped into bigger hotel brands.

Already, Marriott, Starwood and Hyatt brands have added new menus and workout programs to some of their hotel brands.

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Melanie Nayer is a hotel reviewer and expert on luxury travel around the world. She has covered all aspects of hotels including corporate restructures, re-branding initiatives, historical aspects and the best of the best in luxury hotels around the world.

Melanie writes a weekly exclusive column for 4Hoteliers.com