From the retro airport terminal in New York to skyline Pilates in Dubai, some hotel fitness areas are designed so chic that even the biggest workout skeptics are motivated to pack their sneakers.
The young man in the sweaty training outfit repeatedly drops to his knees, remains there for a while and comes up again in a controlled manner. All this takes place under the watchful eye of Sanjin Burazin, Head Coach at SIRO Hotel Dubai. The empty barbell on the young man's shoulders is disconcerting; in vain you look for weights. "Anyone who only trains for muscle has long since missed the boat," says Burazin succinctly. He has already trained tennis star Novak Djokovic and finds it hard to get rattled.
"Before my clients even get weight plates on the barbell, their movements have to be perfect," he explains. This is the only way to turn movements into healthy patterns - and training into an investment in the body for life rather than a risk. Speaking of sustainable investment in your body: interest in your own fitness - even while on vacation - is becoming a major trend.
SIRO was born from the idea of creating not just a fitness room, but a holistic concept for physical performance and regeneration. The work-out space in which Burazin works has little in common with the classic hotel gym: the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of Dubai's skyline, while the minimal house music from the high-quality loudspeakers provides the wow factor as soon as you cross the threshold. There are zones for functional training, cardio and weights and studios for boxing, cycling and reformer Pilates. If you want, you can even book a hotel suite with a large private fitness room and set it up as required. SIRO in Dubai is the very first hotel designed entirely for fitness and wellness by the Kerzner Group, known for its One&Only luxury resorts. The second SIRO, Boka Palace, has just opened and welcomes guests near the beautiful harbor of Porto Montenegro.
Equinox, the stylish luxury fitness brand with cult status and already over 110 clubs worldwide, took a similar step. Six years ago, the brand transformed its sophisticated, specialized gym experience into the infrastructure of a luxury hotel. Following the success of this first hotel in New York, the brand has now announced plans to open a further 33 hotels worldwide. And those who make a reservation at Equinox not only book a room in which the minibar contains a whole range of nutritional supplements, but also a gym in which the towels smell of eucalyptus and vitamin infusions are part of everyday life.
SIRO and Equinox are, of course, not the only ones. In fact, many in the hotel industry have long since followed suit - not surprising given the market forecasts. According to industry experts from the Global Wellness Institute, the market for wellness travel is growing significantly faster than tourism itself - the forecast is for 1.4 trillion US dollars by 2027, equivalent to around 1.3 trillion euros. International wellness guests spend an average of 1,764 dollars - around 1,650 euros - per trip, around 40 percent more than the average tourist. Within the USA, the surcharge is a whopping 175 percent. Many guests now automatically expect a workout area. It becomes a decision criterion, influences hotel ratings and strengthens the brand. Especially when it creates a positive experience.
In Europe, there are already signs that the very best fitness equipment is becoming the new hotel standard. At The Chedi Andermatt in central Switzerland, guests can expect cutting-edge technology in the middle of an Alpine landscape. A 2,400 square meter spa and fitness area with Technogym equipment, pool and hydrotherapy zone, trail running trails right outside your door, MTB rental in summer and ski butlers in winter are just some of the amenities. Afterwards, you can regenerate in the saunas, steam baths and therapy treatments with a view of the Uri Alps.
In Germany, training has long since arrived in hotel life. At tJagdhof Wellness & Sport in the Bavarian Forest, for example, fitness is a top priority - with a 1,100 square meter gym, a 25-meter pool with counter-current system, personal training, circuit training and daily yoga. After your workout, head straight to the spa with its natural bathing pond. There are also plenty of opportunities to stay fit around the hotel: Nature lovers can expect a range of forest paths and mountain bike trails as far as the eye can see.
Villa Stéphanie in Baden-Baden takes a more discreet but equally high-quality approach. Located in the renowned spa town, the boutique hotel offers everything to balance your body and mind - from state-of-the-art Technogym equipment to a private gym for exclusive PT sessions.
Further north, on the summit of the Swedish Förberget, you'll find the Copperhill Mountain Lodge - at 730 meters above sea level like a vantage point. Here, the day often starts with a dip in the heated pool or a yoga session by the window. Then it's out into the snow or onto the bike trail. Inside: modern wooden constructions, mountain bike rental and a spa with views of the healing nature.
If you like it spectacular and retro, check into TWA Hotel at JFK Airport - a real mid-century eye-catcher. Located in the former airport terminal, it has the largest hotel gym in the world with 930 square meters of pure work-out space - including 14 Peloton bikes, a yoga studio and lots of cool design. The highlight: the rooftop pool with a view of the tarmac.
People also train in style in England. In St. Albans, north of London, Sopwell House combines elegant country house flair with the gym of the future: Cottonmill Spa membership opens up access to light-flooded zones, Technogym Artis equipment and floor-to-ceiling mirror walls.
In Dubai, Burazin is satisfied. Next time, his client will already have weight plates on the barbell. But now he has to catch his plane to Montenegro, where he's helping the team with the opening - and also wants to show guests the appeal of a first-class hotel gym. One thing is clear: the best hotel gyms can take people who are abstinent from sport out of their slump - and perhaps even ensure that guests return from their vacation with new healthy routines.
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
At SIRO One Za'abeel in Dubai, guests train like athletes - with experienced personal coaches, state-of-the-art equipment and a large gym. The fitness hotel in Dubai's One Za'abeel skyscraper offers over 1,000 square meters of gym space, classes ranging from HIIT to boxing, high-tech regeneration and tailor-made programs. In addition to a high-performance environment for intensive training, there's also a yoga and Pilates studio with a panoramic view of the city. Plus: recovery pods with sleep routines, steam bath and hotel suites with their own fitness area.
50 | 50 Falstaff points
New York - USA
Equinox operates over 100 fitness centers - so it's no wonder that its entry into the hotel industry with Equinox Hotel New York has resulted in one of the most spectacular hotel gyms ever. On 5,500 light-flooded square meters, Equinox Hudson Yards offers state-of-the-art equipment, personal training sessions and a course program ranging from HIIT to breathing techniques.
One of the most beautiful areas is the outdoor area with hot and cold water pools, a large heated rooftop pool and Scandinavian barrel saunas overlooking the Hudson River. In the rooms, guests enjoy a newly developed sleeping concept: with light, sounds and a bed that adapts to the optimum sleeping temperature.
equinox-hotels.com
48 | 50 Falstaff points
Baden-Baden - Germany
For 150 years, Brenners has been welcoming guests with discreet luxury and healing climatic air. Guests can jog, hike and relax - always with a view of the Oos. The friendly, light-flooded fitness center at Villa Stéphanie Spa and Wellbeing offers training on state-of-the-art equipment in a feel-good atmosphere and personal trainers put together individual programs. If you want to step it up a notch, you can also use the chic private gym for intensive personal training on request. If the weather is too nice for indoors, get your body working in the outdoor fitness facility - on equipment with water resistance.
brenners.com
47 | 50 Falstaff points
Bavarian Forest - Germany
Jagdhof near Passau in the south of Germany offers a very special fitness program at 2,500 meters above sea level: Powerswim with timekeeping or sparring at the boxing tower - a vertical boxing station with various target zones for technique and reaction - as well as altitude chambers and courses ranging from functional training to the Chinese movement practice Qigong. All of this is embedded in Bavaria's largest wellness and water world. If you want, you can work out in group courses with circuit training or yoga. The fitness journey is supported by our own top trainers.
jagdhof-roehrnbach.de
45 | 50 Falstaff points
New York - USA
The TWA Hotel directly at New York's JFK Airport combines retro charm with state-of-the-art fitness methods - in the largest hotel gym in the world. Guests can train with a view of aircraft taking off, work up a sweat on an outdoor track above a former terminal or jump into the rooftop pool to cool off, even - heated, of course - in the colder months. All of this is surrounded by 60s design. If you just want to stop by during the day or work out for a few hours, you can book the mid-century flair as a day ticket and stay for up to eight hours.
twahotel.com
44 | 50 Falstaff points
