Equinox Holdings has appointed Christopher Norton as its chief executive of its hotel business.

Norton, formerly president of global product and chief operating operator at Four Seasons hotels and Resorts, will oversee Equinox's luxury hospitality business. He has more than 28 years of industry experience.

Equinox operates 82 upscale, full-service clubs in the US, as well as in London, UK, and Toronto, Canada. Equinox hotel properties, which will cater for the “high performance traveller”, will offer bespoke experiences. It plans to grow its hospitality brand in 50 worldwide locations.

In an exclusive interview this month, the company’s vice-president Aaron Richter told Spa Opportunities' sister publication CLAD that Equinox Hotels – which will open its first branch in New York’s Hudson Yards in 2018 – will implement the core philosophies of its well established fitness clubs to “the art of travel.”

The appointment of Norton to the board follows Josh Wyatt, who joined as president of the hotel business in June. Harvey Spevak, Equinox chief executive and executive chairman of its hospitality business said: "Christopher has a great appreciation for what makes a unique guest experience, a strong design sensibility and an understanding of the types of experiences customers will expect of luxury hotel brands in the future.”

Norton said: "The Equinox philosophy of achieving a balanced life resonated with me both personally and professionally. Designing premiere guest experiences with holistic health in mind is already an inherent part of my DNA and I see tremendous opportunity for the Equinox brand to redesign the luxury consumer experience in hospitality."