In an effort to please health- conscious guests, a growing number of hotels provide workout facilities. But more often than not, the in-house fitness center is poorly equipped.
There might be a treadmill, a couple of exercise machines and a paltry collection of dumbbells.
At the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in São Paulo, Brazil, however, there’s a fitness center even a bodybuilder could love.
The gym is chock-full of the latest high-tech exercise equipment. You’ll find Life Fitness exercise bikes, treadmills with private television screens, elliptical machines, rowing machines, dumbbells ranging from 5 to 100 pounds, and other equipment on which to train every muscle.
At most hotels, the lack of gym equipment makes it difficult to work leg muscles. But at the Renaissance, a cadre of excellent machines made my quadriceps quiver with delight.
As is the case with every guest, I was greeted with a smile and a fresh white towel. Halfway through my 3-mile run, a uniformed employee walked up to my treadmill and proffered a cup of water. I felt like a contestant in a marathon.
Although hotel guests are granted complimentary access, locals pay dearly to pump up their biceps. Paulistas (São Paulo residents) dish out 4,500 reals (about $2,800) for an annual membership.
The hefty price is indicative of the neighborhood. The Renaissance is situated in Jardins, an affluent district where trendy restaurants and high-rise condos reign. Wealthy patrons often treat themselves to an hour or more of pampering at the Renaissance Spa, on the same floor as the fitness center.
Ten treatment rooms are discretely tucked away throughout the three-level spa. Each room is uniquely designed with warm, earth-colored hues and soothing music. There’s a private gazebo where couples can be massaged in tandem.
Of the many therapies available, I treated myself to a deep-tissue Swedish massage immediately following my workout. Instead of sampling one of 10 facial and body treatments, and rather than sweat in the sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi, I swam a few laps in the 40-foot outdoor pool. It’s wide enough to accommodate several swimmers simultaneously.
Any personal trainer will tell you that exercise is only part of a good fitness regimen. A proper diet is equally important. At the Cyber Cafe, which overlooks the gym, and the Spa Cafe, situated in a relaxation area, the menus are fit for Olympians.
You can try a grilled salmon burger, vegetarian lasagna, organic filet mignon and a plethora of healthy sandwiches and salads, including a tuna tataki with fresh mango.
During frequent visits to São Paulo, I stay at the Marriott Renaissance. Sure, the rooms are comfortable. The staff is great. But as far as hotels go, the gym is among the world’s best.
Elliott Hester is the author of “Adventures of a Continental Drifter.” He lives in Buenos Aires. Contact him at elliotthester@gmail.com or visit .
Other great hotel gyms
Here’s a short list of other hotels with exceptionally good fitness facilities. Admission is free for hotel guests.
Sydney Hilton, Sydney, Australia; 011 (61-2) 9266-2000 or . The Hilton’s LivingWell Premier Health Club, living ., takes up an entire floor, making it the largest hotel gym in Australia. Beyond the sea of treadmills and mountains of free weights, there are saunas, steam rooms and a luxurious 82-foot lap pool.
Radisson SAS, Glasgow, Scotland; 011 (44-141) 204-3333 or glasgow.radis . LA Fitness — a full-service gym with more than 80 locations in the United Kingdom — is located on the lower level of the hotel. The gym has daily spinning classes, aerobics, Pilates, exercise machines and plenty of free weights. For more information, visit .
Empire Hotel and Country Club, Jerudong, Brunei; 011 (673) 241-8888 or the . A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Empire’s five-star fitness center boasts state-of-the-art equipment. Tennis, squash and badminton also are available.
New York Hilton, New York; 212-586-7000 or . Perhaps the most spacious hotel gym in New York, the Hilton’s 8,000-square-foot Fitness by Precor facility is open around the clock.
Park Hyatt, Chicago; 312-335-1234 or parkchicago . The complimentary bottled water and scented cold-towel service are pleasant distractions during sessions in this superbly equipped gym. And while the three-lane, 75- foot lap pool is 7 feet shorter than the Sydney Hilton’s, it’s equally elegant.
For a list of great hotel gyms in the United States and abroad, visit athletic . For more information about the gym at the Marriott Renaissance in São Paulo, Brazil, call 011 (55-11) 3069-2233 or visit . travel/saobr-renaissance- sao-paulo-hotel.
