I will admit that as a New Yorker, I rarely think about ever going to New Jersey. However, Sweet Honey Farm located in Marlboro, NJ is definitely giving me FOMO vibes. Not only does it blend sustainability and farm-to-table experiences, I am loving the community focus, where guests have to be members, invested in maintaining and supporting the space. Sweet Honey Farm, and similar businesses, are tapping into a broader trend within the hospitality industry. In particular, design has been shifting to creating spaces that blend natural wellness with sustainability. Here’s how they fit into the larger hospitality ecosystem:
Sustainability Tourism
Many guests today want to connect with nature and support businesses that prioritize environmental responsibility. People are also becoming more conscious about the environmental impact of their travels, which is why eco-conscious accommodations and experiences are becoming more mainstream.
Experiences that fit this bill include farm stays, agritourism, and eco-retreats. Furthermore, many are looking for farm-to-table experiences, where they know where their food comes from. Those types of places feature farm-to-table. Who doesn’t like to admire a lush vegetable garden and then eat a fresh garden salad minutes later?
On an international level, WWOOF, allows individuals to actually work on organic farms around the world in exchange for room and board. While I can’t vouch for the amenities one would have on a trip, the experiential element is incomparable.
Wellness Tourism
Wellness tourism has exploded with more people seeking experiences that nourish the body, mind, and spirit. Even though you might be staying on farm grounds, there is surely no sharing quarters with baby goats or chickens.
Sweet Honey Farm is a pretty luxurious destination offering wellness amenities that people look for such as a pool, a few spas, and premier yoga and fitness classes. In fact, they offer a one-day guest pass that allows people to utilize their plethora of offerings to recharge and get away from the stress of work life. So if feeding a baby goat takes the stress away, this is the place to do it. And if you’re not feeling that, you can even come here to work utilize the space for a change in scenery.
Community Focused Tourism
Another trend that Sweet Honey Farms exemplifies is community-focused tourism, where travelers focus on fewer destinations and especially deeper connections to the local community and culture. Not anyone can book an overnight stay at the farm. The farm is member’s only, which means you’re not going to just meet people and never see them again. The farm currently holds a Mastermind class, led by its founder, Devon Levesque, so that people can learn and connect people with each other.
Sorry, Honey
While I have no doubt that they offer fresh honey, I wasn’t able to verify the honey offerings at Sweet Honey Farm. However, we know there are other places like the Honey Exchange in Portland, Maine, where people can learn about honey making and beekeeping. So next time you are planning a vacation, look beyond the big box hotel chains and try staying a lot closer to Mother Nature. You may be amazed at what a natural environment can do for you.