Keeping fit while you’re travelling

We all know how difficult it is to keep fit and healthy when we are travelling and in the events’ industry we are always on the move. The small hotel gym isn’t very appealing and it’s easy to eat and drink more than you would at home. However, there are some exercises that are simple, effective and don’t require much equipment. Some hotel groups are now helping with improved facilities and fitness equipment in the bedroom. At the moment, this seems to be more in North America than Europe, but like most trends it should spread here in time. Here are a few of the hotel groups that make it easier for you to keep fit while you’re away from home.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts offers guests Adidas training gear through their Fairmont Fit progamme. Loyalty club members can have workout clothing, trainers and fitness equipment delivered to their guestrooms for use in the room, gym or outdoors, free of charge.

Yoga gear is easy to pack but the mats and other equipment is not. Kimpton Hotels have yoga mats in bedrooms and they provide extra towels, water, fruit, and on-demand fitness TV programming. Omni Hotels offer a complimentary Get Fit Kit that contains a yoga mat plus weights, a muscle therapy foam roller and push-up bars. Even Hotels, IHG’s wellness brand has four hotels and the group is growing. The bedrooms have a yoga mat and block, foam roller, core exercise ball, mounted fitness wall with resistance bands and an in-room training guide

Scandic Hotels, particularly in Scandinavia, often have bicycles to borrow free of charge and it’s a great way of getting to see the area too. Village Hotels, in the UK, usually have good leisure facilities with group exercise classes, gyms and swimming pools.

Hilton has launched a Five Feet to Fitness concept, where guest bedrooms have guided workout routines on a fitness kiosk, an indoor spin bike, suspension accessories, resistance bands, exercise balls, yoga mats and sports performance flooring. The plan is to introduce this programme to more than 560 of Hilton’s Doubletree hotels by 2020.

Many hotels now offer stationary bikes in-room and Westin has designed WestinWORKOUT rooms in over 50 hotels across the USA, where guests can work out on Peloton bikes.

Mirror, is a digital personal trainer that works though a screen on the wall and instructs on different fitness routines, from yoga and Pilates to boxing and cardio. This technology has been introduced at Mandarin Oriental Hotels’ suites in properties in America.

With a bit of motivation, we can all go back to basics and some squats, sit-ups, press-ups, planks and jacks can all be done in the comfort of a hotel room. A fitness band doesn’t take up any space of weight in your suitcase or there’s always the option of going for a run, walk, or swim. That’s if we have the time!

Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants opens its doors to London

The brand makes its UK debut with the opening of Kimpton® Fitzroy London

Kimpton® Fitzroy London, the first UK hotel from boutique luxury brand, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, opens its doors in London’s Bloomsbury neighbourhood. The hotel combines late-Victorian heritage with a quirky, modern vibe. The existing glamour of the building paired with Kimpton’s signature heartfelt service brings a new hotel offering to London that delivers exclusivity for everyone.

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants

Set on Russell Square within an iconic Grade II listed heritage building dating back to 1898, design-led Kimpton Fitzroy London features 334 luxurious rooms and suites, a large ballroom, various restaurants and bars, modern meeting rooms and a 24-hour fitness centre.

A true homage to British history and design, the hotel is named after the original architect of the building, Charles Fitzroy Doll, a Titan of British architecture in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.  The interior features striking, contemporary design by lead designer Tara Bernerd & Partners that thoughtfully honours the building’s heritage. The bedrooms are decorated with Kimpton’s bold and playful edge and include unexpected touches such as unique, contemporary artwork and vibrant floral cushions, featuring a bespoke design by British textile artist Kit Miles.

Kimpton Fitzroy London offers Kimpton’s much-loved signature touches including in-room yoga mats, complimentary bikes to explore the city, tea and coffee to fuel up for the day, and welcomes pets to stay for free. In true Kimpton style, perks take on a local slant and the hotel will host a complimentary champagne hour – a daily social gathering for hotel guests.

“This hotel will bring a new luxury approach to the UK– a more inclusive style of luxury as opposed to museum-like spaces so guests don’t need to keep their voices down in the lobby, or wear a suit jacket to dinner. A defining trait for the Kimpton brand is the focus on heartfelt human connections. We want guests to enjoy the glamour of a historic iconic building but still feel free to be themselves. It’s an approach we’re excited to bring to London, as we know it’s what guests in this city are craving.”

Paul Walters, General Manager of Kimpton Fitzroy London

Kimpton Fitzroy London has an interior courtyard, the Palm Court, which provides a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of central London. Neptune restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with a range of modern seafood dishes courtesy of duo Brett Redman and Margaret Crow in a stylish, yet relaxed environment. The 1920’s inspired Fitz’s is the spot to enjoy an evening cocktail while Burr & Co. coffee house awaits guests and locals throughout the day. Neptune, Fitz’s and Burr & Co. have all been designed by Russell Sage Studio.

Overlooking Bloomsbury’s Russell Square and only two minutes’ walk from Russell Square tube station, the hotel is located steps away from The British Museum, Lambs Conduit street and London’s West End, making Kimpton Fitzroy London the perfect base from which to explore all that the British capital has to offer.

Next year will see a continuation of the Kimpton brand’s momentum, with additional hotel openings in key UK cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester. Kimpton first launched in Europe in 2017 with the opening of Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam, and since then the brand has rapidly increased its global footprint following signings in Barcelona, set to open in 2019, Tokyo and Paris, both set to open in 2020 and Frankfurt due to open in 2023. In the next few months Kimpton Da An Hotel in Taipei will also open its doors, the first Kimpton hotel in Asia.