Healthy Hotels for Hip Patients

As stocks plummet, retirement savings dry up and health care costs skyrocket, medical tourism continues to be a growing trend in vacation destinations. These are not only opportunities for Baby Boomers to achieve wrinkle-free looks through liposuction and facelifts; major surgery, vision and dental procedures are also viable options.

One of the lesser-known well-priced gems is in Paris, directly across the Seine from Notre Dame Cathedral. Hôtel Hospitel is located on an upper floor of the hospital Hôtel-Dieu, which specializes in ophthalmology, oncology, and nutrition studies. Doesn’t it sound like more fun to recuperate at a Parisian café instead of a hospital room?

With increased life spans and years spent in retirement, “wellness” retreat centers are booming as a way of maintaining quality of life. Last month’s Economist covered Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona,  “America’s first total vacation/fitness resort” where traditional and alternative medicine are joined with fitness, dietary and spiritual services to provide a holistic approach to care giving.

Photo credit: Economist.com

Do any nearby hospitals, spas or treatment centers spring to mind as potential wellness partners? What are your ideas for capitalizing on this relatively untapped revenue generator for your hotel?