There’s always an opportunity to keep healthy and trim when travelling. Kenneth Yap and the BTAP team point to hotels with top-form facilities.
Today’s hotel gyms are more than just places to go to and pump iron. As business travel increasingly becomes a regular pattern and more people spend life on the road, such facilities have taken on new urgency and required bigger investment. Previously, a room with some equipment (and often no view) and a swimming pool would have been adequate for those using them, but that’s all changed with the fitness boom. Besides providing rows of high-tech hardware aimed at redefining every inch of the human torso and a host of activities to get the heart rate going, this facility is further expected to provide total pampering in the form of a spa, the more exotic the better.
Pop by these fitness centres we list the next time you’re in the town and discover how pleasurable getting fit has become.
BANGKOK
Health Club, Shangri-La Bangkok
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Spanning over 10,000sqm, it’s one of the largest fitness centres in the city and a popular workout venue for both locals and foreigners alike. Located on the third floor of the hotel, overlooking the scenic Chao Phraya River, the Health Club is equipped with a complete range of facilities including a gym room, sauna and steam rooms, Jacuzzi and table tennis. Rooftop tennis courts and squash courts with flood-lights for evening games pronounce it to be a more than well equipped facility.
In the gym, cardiovascular equipment, treadmills, cross trainers, cycling machines and weight machines, most featuring personal TVs, answer every workout purpose. Also available are a variety of special classes such as step aerobics, yoga, pilates, tai chi and energy jam, while lessons in swimming and tennis are conducted regularly, and for local flavour, Thai boxing or Muay Thai under the guidance of Pharuhaslek Sitchunthong, a champion in the Lightweight Category.
Aching muscles from a strenuous workout are soothed and revitalised at the sumptuous Chi Spa, the first of Shangri-La’s signature spa brand to have been rolled out in 2004.
WHO CAN USE IT? Hotel guests have access to all of the Health Club’s facilities as do enrollees in its membership programme, priced at US$1,645 annually for an individual and US$2,853 for couples.
OPENING HOURS: The gym operates round the clock; the pool from 0600 to 2000.
VERDICT: Getting back on track after savouring Bangkok’s fabled cuisine is made easier by the Health Club’s wealth of options and its helpful staff. The specialised activities are a big plus point.
CONTACT: 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand, tel 662 236 7777, www.shangri-la.com
BEIJING
Club Oasis, Grand Hyatt Beijing
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Despite an obvious absence of sunlight, the waterfall, palm trees, Balinese sculptures and enormous 15-metre swimming pool combine to give an impression of a resort and not a fitness centre.
Located in the hotel basement – which explains the subdued lighting – Club Oasis also features a kids pool, Jacuzzi and seating area where food and manicures and massage can be ordered. Soothing music, chirping birds and the computerised twinkling lights on the ceiling contribute to the relaxing environment. Guests in the west wing need not cross the lobby to get to the area but can access it directly, convenient when one is in a bathrobe.
Other facilities include a large changing room, two massage rooms, two sauna rooms, two Jacuzzis, two steam baths, aerobics room and all the latest equipment in the gym, many with LCD TVs to help break the monotony of exercising. Recently, a special machine, designed to help in warming up and cooling down, was introduced.
Those who prefer the outdoors can join a Saturday three-kilometre run around the Forbidden City, starting at 0600 and led by a professional instructor. They will be rewarded with a special T-shirt after the workout. Guests wishing to exercise in their rooms can request for equipment.
WHO CAN USE IT? All hotel guests. Annual membership is CNY25,000 (US$3,443). Walk-in fee is CNY350 (US$48).
OPENING HOURS: Round-the-clock daily.
VERDICT: A comprehensive range of services makes Club Oasis unique in the city. Keeping the gym open 24 hours benefits long-haul travellers.
CONTACT: 1 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing 100738, China, tel 86 10 8518 1234, www.hyatt.com
Claire Lin
GUANGZHOU
The Ritz-Carlton Spa and Fitness Centre, The Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The latest kid on the block – located in the 351-room hotel, which opened in February in the new Pearl River New City in Tianhe District – aims to offer a one-stop shop for wellness, relaxation and fitness with its combined facilities of gym, spa and grooming salon. The outlet occupies 4,000sqm of space on the fourth floor of the hotel.
The Italy-made TechnoGym equipment dominates the fitness centre, which contains treadmills, bikes, syncro, reclines, wave machines and step. The same for the weight section that has over 10 TechnoGym work-out stations with a complement of free weights including incline and flat-bench press and dumb bells. Certified instructors are on standby to offer a body composition analysis in privacy or design a personalised programme if needed.
More facilities include a 60-square-metre studio with a 42-inch plasma TV for yoga, dance, meditation or tai chi classes, outdoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi and Spa Café. The Ritz-Carlton Spa features a relaxation lounge and 11 treatment rooms consisting of a water therapy room and a signature suite among other categories.
WHO CAN USE IT? Hotel guests can use the gym even past operating hours. There’s a limited Early Bird membership offer of CNY12,600 (US$1,765) for individuals annually and CNY41,500 (US$5,812) for corporate. Perks include use of facilities, F&B discounts, cash vouchers, complimentary fitness classes and extension of membership for six months.
OPENING HOURS: The gym is 24 hours, while the rest of the facilities (except the spa) is open from 0600 to 2100. Peak hours are after 1700 daily.
VERDICT: Ritz-Carlton’s reputation for impeccable service and products raises the bar for other leisure facilities in Guangzhou.
CONTACT: No. 3 Xing An Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510623, China, tel 86 20 3813 6668
Margie T Logarta
HONGKONG
Pulse, Langham Place Hotel Hongkong
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Billed as the “highest gym in Hongkong” – with views overlooking the bustling streets of Mongkok. Located on the 41st floor of the hotel, Pulse is open round-the-clock, a boon for guests from other time zones, who are just not ready to turn in when they arrive.
Thanks to the gym’s wide range of cardiovascular and strength equipment loaded with a personal cable TV and DVD player, waiting for a vacant machine is a rare occurrence. Regular taekwondo classes and personal training packages are other healthy alternatives.
The room temperature is kept at a constant 22ºC, ensuring a pleasant environment. Complimentary bottled water and towels are handed out, while other fitness and sports merchandise like energy bars and swimming goggles can be purchased. Other facilities include Plunge, its 20-metre rooftop heated pool, a Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and oriental hot tub.
After exercise, guests are invited to cool down with a cup of the hotel’s signature five-elements tea while taking in the breathtaking views of Kowloon from the elegantly designed Contemplation Corner. Made from tea leaves, the brew is fragrant and refreshing. More pampering is available at the elegant Chuan Spa, whose menu is heavily therapeutic and incorporates several traditional Chinese techniques.
WHO CAN USE IT? Other than hotel guests, members of its Chuan Shen wellbeing membership programme can use the health club facilities on the day of their spa massage or treatment. Additionally, members of its Chuan Escape and Chuan Horizon health membership programme have year-round access to the full range of fitness facilities. Membership starts from US$2,435 per year, inclusive of a US$641 joining fee.
OPENING HOURS: Personal trainers are onsite from 0630 to 2300, while only hotel guests have exclusive access to the gym 24 hours daily. Peak hours are 1700 onwards.
VERDICT: An all-around fitness centre for the busy yet discerning business traveller. It provides not only a superior workout venue, but also excellent spa and wellness facilities for relaxation and rejuvenation.
CONTACT: 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hongkong, tel 852 3552 3388, hongkong.langhamplacehotels.com
Cardio Vascular Suite, Le Méridien Cyberport Hongkong
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The stylish Cardio Vascular (CV) Suite is fitted with a series of cutting-edge fitness equipment. Located on the hotel’s fourth floor, it looks out to magnificent sea views that accompany guests as they go about their fitness routines.
At their disposal are more than 12 machines including treadmills, upright and recline bikes, as well as other cardio-exercise equipment. Embedded in some of the machines are personal TVs (headphones provided, of course), while large LCD monitors display programmes and chill music softly plays throughout the room. iPods preloaded with a variety of tunes are also available for loan.
A unique CV Suite feature is its Wellness System programme. First-timers will be asked to register for a fitness account and provided with a small device, resembling a thumb drive. By inserting this in every machine they use, they will be able to gather data on the amount of exercise accomplished. The information will then be stored by the gym attendant in a computer, helping to set fitness targets and track progress of the individual.
Besides regular fitness merchandise, toiletries from French luxury-brand Hermès can be purchased. Training sessions with personal trainers can also be arranged at extra cost. An outdoor lap pool, a sauna and a steam room complete the hotel’s recreational offerings.
WHO CAN USE IT? Besides hotel guests, platinum members of Le Méridien’s Club Horizon membership programme also have access to the fitness facilities. Platinum membership begins at US$512 per year.
OPENING HOURS: The gym is open and staffed from 0700 to 2300. Past these hours, only hotel guests can use their keycards to gain access to the centre. Gym peak hours are from 1100 to 1400. The swimming pool is open from 0700 to 2200.
VERDICT: The user-friendly technology and stylish interiors are a big come on for frequent gym-goers. The hotel’s location away from Central or Kowloon’s attractions, however, could be a downside for certain guests.
CONTACT: 100 Cyberport Road, Hongkong, tel 852 2980 7788, www.lemeridien-cyberport.com
KUALA LUMPUR
Clark Hatch Fitness Centre & LifeSpa, Hilton Kuala Lumpur
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Sharing space with the spa on the eighth floor of the hotel, this facility lives up to Clark Hatch’s mission to encourage its clients “to enjoy a more fit, energetic and fun lifestyle”. Clever design is a key element in this two-level fitness centre, and supporting this is the open layout and provision for natural light and external views. While working out, gym buffs will never be far from the panorama of landscaped gardens and city skyline through the two-storey, floor-to-ceiling windows.
The main exercise hall on the lower floor contains a mean set of state-of-the-art equipment, including the required treadmills and exercise bikes. An exercise room accommodates classes for small groups. On the upper floor are the sauna and steam bath, lockers and changing rooms; the snack bar is on the lower floor near the gym entrance. Those who need to strictly maintain their regimen on the road can request in advance for experienced personal instructors.
Next door, the LifeSpa offers a variety of treatments such as signature aromatherapy massages, facials, body scrubs and hand and foot therapy, with prices ranging between RM80 (US$24) and RM760 (US$231). Water babies have the outdoor, 120-metre freeform terrace pool on the same level to luxuriate in.
WHO CAN USE IT? Hilton’s guests, as well as those of the adjacent Le Méridien hotel, and club members enjoy unlimited access to the gym. A Sentral Titanium membership costs RM1,760 (US$534) yearly, plus a RM1,800 (US$546) joining fee and corporate membership can be arranged for four or more people. There are over 10 Clark Hatch fitness centres in Malaysia, not only in Kuala Lumpur but in Penang, Johor Bahru and Kuching as well.
OPENING HOURS: The gym opens from 0600 to 2300 daily; LifeSpa from 1000 to 2400 daily. Peak hours do not seem to apply to his facility, according to Fazil, the manager, who claimed there was hardly a case of overcrowding. But the office crowds usually start coming in from 1800.
VERDICT: Space is smartly used to create an open layout enhanced by white-washed walls, flat-screen televisions and indoor potted plants; and gym goers can benefit from the long operating hours.
CONTACT: 3 Jalan Stesen Sentral, level 8, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, tel 60 3 2260 1688, www.clarkhatch.com.my
Julian Tan
MACAU
WestinWorkout, The Westin Resort Macau
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The Westin Resort Macau is an aberration in this decidedly gaming destination – it has no casino and proud of it. What it does have is an enviable location next to the Coloane National Park, swathes of beautifully landscaped gardens and an impressive set of leisure attractions which include outdoor and heated indoor swimming pools, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, tennis court and multipurpose court. As if these were not enough, also on the premises is Macau’s only private golf course, Macau Golf and Country Club. Owned by members, this challenging 18-hole par 71 facility hosts the yearly Macau Open Golf Tournament.
Located on the hotel’s second level is a large and comprehensive gym. It is equipped with 11 cardio machines, each featuring a personal TV and DVD system, as well as a range of resistance machines and free weight sporting top labels such as Life Fitness, CYBEX, StairMaster, Landice, Paramount and Concept2. Expert personal trainers are always on hand to provide training and nutritional advice, while sessions on aerobics, yoga and pilates run on a regular basis.
Jogging enthusiasts shouldn’t miss out on a run along the picturesque Hac Sa Beach or trying out the specially designed Westin’s Runner’s World Maps, which incorporate the island’s breathtaking tropical scenery with the workout. Such facilities haven’t gone unnoticed – certainly not by the British Olympic Association, which chose The Westin as official Olympic preparation camp for the Beijing Games this summer.
WHO CAN USE IT? Hotel guests (aged 16 years and over for the gym), Club Westin members have access to the resort’s full range of facilities. Club membership starts from US$1,642 per year.
OPENING HOURS: The gym and pool are open daily from 0700 to 2200, while usage of the golf course requires guests to book well in advance. Gym peak hours are from 0630 to 0830 and 1900 to 2100.
VERDICT: Easy access to running and hiking trails provide a unique way of exploring Macau.
CONTACT: 1918 Estrada de Hac Sa, Coloane, Macau, tel 853 2887 1111, www.westin-macau.com
SEOUL
Marquise Thermal Spa & Fitness Club, JW Marriott Seoul
WHAT’S IT LIKE? This has to be one of Seoul’s best-kept fitness secrets – a gym, spa, swimming pool, whirlpool, scuba diving pool, mini driving range, putting green, golf simulation corner, squash court, 12-metre rock-climbing wall, restaurant and snack bar all under one roof, spread out through 14,212sqm and occupying four levels of a five-star hotel. But then again, perhaps it isn’t, considering the 3,100 membership roster!
Maintaining such a facility is a challenge, which JW Marriott takes seriously, having upgraded the gym in 2006 (with plans for the spa in a couple of months) to cater to the growing trend in Korea towards a healthier lifestyle. TechnoGym, which has supported Olympic trials in Sydney, Athens and Turin, supplied the over 300 pieces of equipment, consisting of free weights, strength and cardiovascular hardware. Two innovations, the Cardio Wave (simulating a slalom kind of motion) and Kinesis Wall (providing resistance to full range of movement making for a gentle workout suitable for all ages) were also installed during the refurbishment. Anyone wanting to get the most out of his exercise, needs only to approach one of seven trainers to have his fitness level and body fat measured with the help of the Body Composition Analyser machine, after which a programme can be designed to achieve a specific fitness goals.
Effort is also put into maintaining the best possible environment in the gym, from special oxygen units positioned around the room, pumping fresh air to the solar roof panels, which transmit the sun’s rays into solar bulbs that add natural warmth and daylight.
All of the pool is filled with thermal mineral water said to strengthen the immune and nervous systems as well as improve the skin and relieve stress.
WHO CAN USE IT? Hotel guests and club members. Individual membership deposit is KRW50,000,000 (US$52,980) per person; annual fee: KRW2,200,000 (US$2,331) per person inclusive of tax.
OPENING HOURS: From 0545 to 2200, although the gym operates on a 24-hour basis. Peak hours are from 0545 to 0830 and 1600 to 2100.
VERDICT: The range of facilities and services is truly awesome. This even includes some low-tech machines, using rollers to iron out kinks in the back or under the legs, which were fun and easy to use. It can get crowded during the day when office workers and local residents come in to get their health fix.
CONTACT: 19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea 137-040, tel 82 2 6282 6578, www.marriott.com
Margie T Logarta
SINGAPORE
Willow Stream Spa, Fairmont Hotel Singapore
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Part of the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Singapore (formerly Raffles the Plaza), the hotel’s gym provides an excellent workout environment, boosted by its top-of-the-line Life Fitness cardio machines and CYBEX equipment. These include treadmills, recumbent and upright bikes, rowing machines and weight machines. Should queries on machine use or one’s exercise regimen crop up, certified professional fitness trainers are always on hand to help. One-on-one sessions allowing for a more detailed fitness analysis and personalised advice start from US$52 an hour.
Other ways of shedding that extra weight come in the form of four rubberised tennis courts, two artificial grass courts and two freeform swimming pools. Scheduled pilates and yoga classes take place in a spacious studio. Apart from traditional yoga, Virabhadra Yoga (the type integrating the core healing principles of yoga with various martial arts disciplines including karate and wushu) is also offered.
The reward, after working up a high sweat, is to head for the poolside Alligator Pear Restaurant where chefs whip up Willow Stream spa dishes known to be low in fat, sodium and cholesterol but no less delicious. A fitting complement to all your exertions!
WHO CAN USE IT? Besides hotel guests, Willow Stream club members are also given access to the various facilities including the gym, fitness classes, swimming pool and spa. Annual membership fees begin from US$2,096 for an individual.
OPERATING HOURS: Hotel guests can use the gym round-the-clock, while members have from 0530 to 2300. The swimming pool is open from 0700 to 2200, while tennis courts require advance booking and cost US$7 and US$11 per hour for members and hotel guests respectively to use. Gym peak hours are from 0600 to 0730, 1100 to 1300 and 1700 to 1930.
VERDICT: A wholesome experience, from the start with its broad range of equipment and classes, to the end with its healthy restaurant cuisine. This hotel has shown that it has thought through the guests’ entire fitness regime and is perfect for the health-conscious business travellers constantly on the move.
CONTACT: 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560, tel 65 6339 7777, www.fairmont.com/singapore
