U.S. Hotel Gyms That Go the Extra Mile
Looking to get your workout on while traveling in America? Read on as TPG International Contributor Lori Zaino explores some of the most elaborate hotel gyms around the United States.
Most hotel gyms are a bit of a snooze, offering little more than a few machines, a handful of free weights, and floor mats that have probably seen better days. But what if your hotel's gym was tricked out with truly state-of-the-art facilities? Get inspired to sweat at one of these hotel gyms that go above and beyond.
The on-site Bellevue Workout Club offers a fully equipped Pilates studio with Classic Reformer and Cadillac machines, several different types of workout classes (e.g., Zumba, Barre, and Yoga), indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, TRX training, spinning, a running track, a gymnasium for basketball or badminton and racquetball and squash courts. The gym also offers youth and family activities and camps. Rates in early May start at $252 per night.
Quoted in a TripAdvisor review as having "every exercise ball known to man," this Florida hotel's 24-hour fitness center hosts a 500 square-foot studio for spinning and group classes, as well as two cardio studios and separate strength training rooms offering more than 50 pieces of Cybex Eagle equipment, including ARC trainers. At the gym's outdoor tennis court, tennis training is available for a fee.
Note that a daily resort fee of $22 (plus tax) will be added to your room rate—which in May starts at $112 or 15,000 Gold Passport Points per night—but it includes access to the fitness center and all fitness classes, as well as recreational activities at the property's pools, bike rental, two bottled waters each day, and more.
At this luxury clifftop resort set on Southern California's Palos Verdes Peninsula, you can enjoy gorgeous sea views while you work out at a 5,000 square-foot fitness center that includes treadmills, ellipticals and a wide array of stationary bikes. A full fitness-class schedule is provided daily, offering choices like seaside spinning (featured in the photo above) yoga, Pilates, boot camp, water aerobics, Zumba, TRX and more. Just be aware that this gym closes on the early side, at 8pm. Room rates in early May start at $336.
Stocked with something for every workout fan, this 8,000 square-foot fitness center contains plenty of spinning and weight equipment, as well as a huge indoor pool lap pool and a basketball court. When the weather permits, you can head outdoors to enjoy a 1/5- mile running track and special yoga exercise area, both set amongst peaceful gardens. Room rates in early May start at $230 or 50,000 Gold Points per night.
This swanky beach-adjacent hotel's 2,500 square-foot fitness center features classes galore, from Zumba to barre and yoga, as well as the energetic "Jump and Pump," and even a special detox-promoting spinning class. For an extra fee, you can book time with a personal trainer. Make sure to enjoy the ocean views as you run on a treadmill or climb on an elliptical. The center is open daily from 6 am - 10 pm Room rates in early May start at $319.
Boxing enthusiasts will love this legendary Manhattan hotel's 24-hour, 1,400 square-foot gym, where personal trainers offer not only conventional training, but also private sessions in kickboxing, Thai boxing, and Jiu-Jitsu. One of the hotel's training staff is rumored to be a champion kickboxer, so get ready for the best of the best. A stay here doesn't come cheap, though— room rates in early May start at a whopping $895 per night.
The 24-Hour StayFit Gym at this sprawling Hawaiian resort has a wide variety of cardio machines—all equipped with flat-screen televisions—as well as strength-training equipment like free weights, stability and weight balls, resistance tubes and bars, stretching machines and jump ropes. Fitness classes include yoga and dance. Staff are always on duty to help with a work out or answer questions, and if you need last-minute workout apparel, a Fitness Concierge can help outfit you.
Non-hotel guests may purchase a 5-day spa/fitness pass for $175 or a 10-day spa/fitness pass for $300. Room rates in early May start at $476 or 25,000 Gold Passport Points per night, and a $25-per-night resort charge covers, among other things, access for two to the fitness center and all fitness classes.
Many Sheraton properties have partnered with personalized training system Core Performance, allowing hotel guests to download travel workouts and training programs, as well as diet and lifestyle tips. At this Category 4 property in Denver, the airy 5,000 square-foot fitness center offers Core Performance access and healthy dining options.
You can visit the light and airy gym—which overlooks the city streets below—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, enjoying 22 types of weight training equipment, three free-weight training benches, and 23 choices of cardio equipment, each with individual TVs and iPod connections. Room rates in early May start at $228 or 10,000 Starpoints per night.
Hotels Connected to Bigger Gym Chains
If you're hoping to get free access to a fancy gym chain inside or next to your hotel, check out some of the below options:
- Ritz-Carlton Boston Commons offers access to the adjoining Equinox
- Four Seasons San Francisco offers access to the adjoining Equinox
- Gansevoort Hotel offers access to Exhale Fitness & Spa
- The Venetian Las Vegas offers access (to guests at the Palazzo and Venetian, depending on your rate) to Canyon Ranch SpaClub
- The Grand Hotel (Kimpton) Minneapolis offers access to the LifeTime Athletic Club
- The Houstonian Hotel in Houston offers access to The Houstonian Club
- Park Hyatt Philadelphia offers access by enclosed SkyBridge to the Sporting Club at Bellevue
Also remember that Kimpton hotels come with yoga mats in every room, and if Crossfit is your thing, be sure to check out TPG Senior Contributor Nick Ewen's post on Staying Healthy While Traveling, The Crossfit Way.
Have you been to any of these hotel gyms—or do you have other favorites in the U.S.? Feel free to share in the comments section.
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