Never Use A Treadmill Again: Get Fit With These Original Fitness Features
Getting fit doesn’t have to be on your to-do list after you travel. While many hotels offer state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment, we know that treadmills can get downright boring after a while. So we’ve found the hotels that have one-of-a-kind fitness amenities that will add a little spice to your workouts while you travel and below we’ll tell you where to find them.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
International Drive, Orlando, Central Florida, Florida, United States
- The hotel: The Ritz Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando
Plenty of beach and lakeside hotels offer kayak and canoe rentals, but few offer as many options for your paddling session. For those who prefer a trained professional to accompany them, guided tours at this Ritz include two-hour eco-tours along Shingle Creek ($60 for adults; $30 for children) and excursions on Grande Lake where paddlers can watch the sun rise and set ($20/hour for adults; $10/hour for children).
- The hotel: Terranea Resort
The upscale Terranea Resort offers myriad activities, including two-hour ocean kayaking tours along the Catalina Channel, where paddlers can spot bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, leopard sharks, and bat rays ($89 per person). Or guests can opt for "kayorkle" -- a two-hour excursion where guests snorkel and kayak, also for $89 per person.
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
North Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, United States
- The hotel: The Canyon Ranch Miami Beach
The Canyon Ranch Miami Beach includes a 70,000 square-foot spa and fitness center with a special treat: rock climbing. Complimentary orientation classes are provided at two-story rock wall, and after that it costs $50 for 25 minutes or $95 for 50 minutes. If you are looking for a true spa experience with a focus on healthy living, Canyon Ranch is your hotel.
- The hotels: The Palazzo Resort Hotel and Casino and the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
The Palazzo and the Venetian share the Canyon Ranch fitness facility, which includes a 40-foot indoor rock climbing wall. A one-day Passport for the spa facilities is $40, though it will cost extrea for a rock-climbing session. When you're done hitting The Strip or the spa, relax in one of the hotel complex's 7 pools.
Hidden Pond
Kennebunkport, Kennebunks, Maine, United States
- The hotel: Hiden Pond, Maine
Hidden Pond offers tons of free on-site amenities, one of our faves being morning yoga classes at the hotel's organic farm, where guests can also pick fresh fruits and vegetables. Other fitness features include nature walks and bike excursions.
- The hotel: C/O The Maidstone, East Hampton
The quaint C/O is a favorite among Hamptonites; guests can enjoy free yoga classes in the hotel's intimate -- and tranquil -- Buddha garden.
The Good Hotel
SoMa, San Francisco, California, United States
- The hotel: Good Hotel San Francisco
Feeling like you want to get some exercise and help the environment? At Good Hotel you can do both. Borrow one of the hotel's free bikes and take in the sights of San Francisco, sans car.
- The hotels: The Bowery Hotel and The Ambrose
The Bowery Hotel, located in the East Village, has free bikes to borrow so you can explore the city streets -- but be careful! On the West Coast, The Ambrose has free bike rentals to match its eco-conscious attitude.
Dumont NYC–an Affinia hotel
Gramercy and Murray Hill, New York City, New York, United States
- The hotel: The Affinia Dumont, New York City
All Affinia hotels (located in New York City and Washington D.C.) offer in-room kits -- of Walking Tour, Stay Fit, and BYOB varieties -- delivered to your door. While the Walking Tour kits come with city maps, pedometers, city guides, and iPods with walking tour and workout playlists, the Stay Fit kits come equipped with yoga mats, workout DVDs, stretching blocks, workout bands, and wrist/ankle weights.
- The hotel: The Onyx Hotel, Boston
The Kimpton chain offers a similar service by providing guests with free yoga mats and On-Demand fitness workout TV programs.
Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC
Georgetown, Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States
- The hotel: The Four Seasons Washington, D.C.
If you're coming to this Four Seasons, travel light: The hotel allows you to borrow an iPod Mini and workout clothes. After you exercise in the tri-level fitness center (including a 2-lane saltwater pool and entire floor of cardio equipment), stop off in the Seasons restaurant for breakfast where you can borrow a Kindle to read your hometown newspaper in any language.