An outstanding hotel fitness center can be a game-changer when you’re on vacation. Travel is often a disruptor of regular health and fitness regimes, making it challenging to maintain your routine while you’re away from home. Fortunately, I’ve done the legwork for you. Listed below are some top-notch hotel gyms, chosen for their high-quality exercise machinery, a broad array of group fitness sessions, superb amenities, and, in some cases, awe-inspiring vistas that make any workout a pleasure. Of course, should you wish to skip the gym, there’s always the option to indulge in the hotel spa or enjoy a drink at the cocktail bar — because that’s a form of wellness, too. For those interested in a deeper wellness journey, you might also consider exploring my preferred wellness retreats.
Equinox Hotel New York
New York City’s alluring Equinox Hotel is the newest extension of the prestigious Equinox brand, a portfolio that includes not just high-end gyms—referred to as “clubs”—but also luxurious spas. Well-being is an intrinsic part of the brand’s ethos, earning it the well-deserved title of “the world’s fittest hotel.” Here, visitors can enjoy an expansive 60,000-square-foot fitness sanctuary spanning two levels, framed by towering windows that offer panoramic views of the Hudson River. The facility is equipped with cutting-edge cardiovascular machines such as treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes, as well as a variety of kettlebells and strength-training equipment. For leisure or laps, guests can choose between a heated outdoor pool or a brisk saltwater indoor lap pool. Personalized training sessions are readily available, along with a wide spectrum of exceptional group fitness classes that include everything from High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) to yoga and barre. Post-workout, guests can expedite recovery with a session in the on-site infrared sauna or cryotherapy chamber, followed by a rejuvenating deep-tissue massage at the spa. Who would have thought that a trip to the Big Apple could be such a sanctuary for stress relief?
Puente Romano Beach Resort, Marbella
This high-end hotel features state-of-the-art fitness amenities that mirror the resort’s broader commitment to an active and enjoyable lifestyle, making it an ideal destination for any trip to Spain. Here, guests can take advantage of cutting-edge TechnoGym apparatus or participate in specialized classes ranging from spin to boxing to barre. The facility also provides medical experts specializing in longevity in fitness, as well as a certified sports psychologist who offers mental coaching, particularly useful for those looking to elevate their tennis skills on the resort’s impeccable courts. For a delightful twist, the outdoor jungle gym provides a uniquely engaging and effective setting for your workout, serving as a refreshing alternative to traditional exercise spaces. To round off your active day, the inviting sauna and steam room await for a well-deserved session of relaxation and rejuvenation.
The Venetian Las Vegas
The renowned wellness-focused hotel chain, Canyon Ranch, oversees the sprawling 100,000-square-foot fitness and wellness area—featuring two fully-equipped gyms—at The Venetian, a top choice for visitors journeying to Las Vegas. This state-of-the-art health sanctuary is furnished with an array of exercise essentials, including free weights, kettlebells, battle ropes, and cardiovascular machinery. Guests have the luxury of breaking a sweat in a specialized high-interval training room or challenging themselves on a 40-foot rock-climbing wall. For targeted recovery, Hypervolt percussive therapy devices are available to alleviate muscle tension and promote relaxation.
Moreover, guests can opt for an in-depth focus on their physical well-being through an 80-minute comprehensive fitness assessment. This all-encompassing evaluation features a heart rate examination, body composition analysis, and a musculoskeletal appraisal. A qualified exercise physiologist reviews the data and subsequently creates a customized workout plan tailored specifically for you.
1 Hotel South Beach
The 1 Hotels excel in meticulous attention to detail—be it their tranquil, open-concept design, unwavering dedication to eco-friendliness, or their farm-to-table culinary offerings—and their fitness facilities are no exception. They stand as a model for wellness-oriented travel on multiple levels. At their inviting Miami location, the gym is managed by Anatomy, a community-based health club with a focus on both sports performance and holistic strength and conditioning. Guests have access to a wide array of complimentary group classes, including boxing, yoga, meditation, and weight training. Personal training services are also at your disposal should you desire tailored guidance. However, the elegantly designed 14,000-square-foot gym space itself is a delightful arena for embarking on your own fitness regimen. Outfitted with an extensive range of cardiovascular machines, punching bags, treadmills, free weights, and yoga mats, you’ll find all the essentials for a well-rounded workout.
Amanpuri
At Amanpuri, a pinnacle of luxury located in Phuket, Thailand, wellness takes center stage, should you wish it to. The resort provides an array of specialized wellness programs tailored to individual objectives—be it weight loss, detoxification, a lifestyle overhaul, or stress alleviation. Each program thoughtfully merges Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques with contemporary medical practices. For those in search of a less regimented wellness experience, the gym is nothing short of a sanctuary, featuring awe-inspiring vistas of the shimmering Andaman Sea through its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows. This elegant space, adorned with rich, dark wood accents, is equipped with a comprehensive selection of free weights and cardio machines—made all the more pleasant by the tranquil ocean backdrop.
Guests have the option to participate in a variety of group classes such as Muay Thai, Pilates, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), TRX, and bootcamp. Additionally, the facility boasts four immaculate tennis courts, personal training sessions for bespoke fitness guidance, and a 60-foot lap pool for those who prefer aquatic exercise. Indeed, this resort offers one of the most unparalleled wellness experiences for any vacation in Thailand.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Finding a wellness-centric venue is hardly a challenge in California’s stylish Santa Monica area, but the Proper Hotel sets a new standard, particularly with its exemplary fitness center. Bathed in abundant natural light courtesy of its wall-to-wall windows, the gym is segmented into three distinct yet harmoniously designed areas, all featuring hardwood floors and expansive mirrors. It’s a veritable playground for fitness enthusiasts, stocked with high-end equipment like Peloton bikes and treadmills, a variety of dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells, a Tonal Mirror for virtual classes, water rowers, and specialized machines for targeted workouts and stretching.
The hotel leaves no stone unturned when it comes to your fitness needs. While private classes and one-on-one training sessions are available upon request, the hotel also offers a robust schedule of complimentary daily and weekly programs. Local experts lead engaging sessions in everything from yoga to high-intensity interval training and bootcamp classes. To top it off, these workouts often take place in stunning settings like the hotel’s rooftop and terrace, making for an exercise experience that is as delightful as it is rewarding.
Honorable mention: Angama Mara
Though petite in size, the gym at this sumptuous tented safari camp is a powerhouse of amenities. What it may lack in dimensions, it more than compensates for with its awe-inspiring design: an elegantly conceived open-air space overlooking the endless grandeur of Kenya’s Maasai Mara savannah. The facility is impressively stocked, offering stationary bikes, treadmills, and ellipticals, along with a curated range of strength training apparatus such as dumbbells and kettlebells. Imagine unfurling a yoga mat and delving into a Vinyasa sequence backed by one of the most spellbinding vistas you’re ever likely to witness.
In addition to the gym, guests can also take advantage of Angama’s mesmerizing infinity pool, which is bordered by stylish red lounge chairs on an elegant wooden deck—another vantage point from which to appreciate the sublime savannah landscape below. For those seeking additional aquatic inspiration, explore our curated list of top hotel swimming pools.
Honorable mention: Capella Ubud
This opulent hotel features a cutting-edge fitness pavilion known as The Armoury, a space elegantly appointed with hardwood flooring and sophisticated patterned wall decor. Open around the clock, the facility offers the freedom to work out according to your own schedule. Personal training sessions can be arranged, and you’re welcome to participate in a range of classes from Pilates and yoga to barre. Beyond the confines of the gym, the hotel extends its commitment to wellness: engage in group boot camps, try your hand at aerial yoga, or embark on guided adventures like mountain biking excursions and jungle treks.