Alright, so today I wanted to share a bit about something I do pretty much every time I travel: finding and booking hotels that actually have a decent fitness center. It sounds simple, but man, it can be a pain if you don’t have a system. I’ve learned a few things the hard way, that’s for sure.
My Go-To Process for Finding Gym-Friendly Hotels
It all starts with the need to not completely fall off the wagon when I’m away from home. I actually like using hotel gyms, or at least having the option. So, here’s how I usually go about it.
First off, I fire up my usual hotel booking websites. You know the big ones, I don’t need to name names. Most of them have a search bar where I pop in my destination and dates. Standard stuff.
Once I get the list of hotels, the real work begins. I immediately look for the filters. This is super important. Nearly all these sites have an “Amenities” or “Facilities” section in their filters. I scroll through that list, and nine times out of ten, there’s an option for “Fitness Center” or “Gym.” I check that box right away. This narrows down the list considerably, which is great.
But here’s the thing I learned: just because it says “Fitness Center” doesn’t mean it’s any good. I’ve been fooled before. Sometimes it’s just a tiny room with a single, ancient treadmill and a yoga mat that’s seen better days. Not exactly what I’m looking for.
So, my next step is crucial: I dig into the photos. I specifically look for pictures of the gym. If a hotel has a decent gym, they’re usually proud of it and will show it off. If I can’t find any clear photos, or the photos look really sad and depressing, that’s a bit of a red flag for me. Sometimes I have to click through a ton of room pictures and restaurant pictures before I find the gym ones, if they exist at all.
After the photo inspection, I move on to reading reviews. This is where you can get some real intel. I use the search function within the reviews (if the site has one) and type in keywords like “gym,” “fitness,” “workout,” “equipment.” This helps me find what actual guests have said. People will often mention if the gym was well-equipped, clean, too small, or if the machines were broken. This has saved me from disappointment many times.
Sometimes, if the booking site is a bit light on details or photos, I’ll do a quick search for the hotel on a general map service. You know, the big map app on your phone. Often, users upload their own photos there, and sometimes you get a more realistic view of the gym than the professional hotel shots.
And if I’m still on the fence about a place I otherwise really like, I’m not shy about actually picking up the phone and calling the hotel directly. I just ask them straight up: “Hey, I’m thinking of booking a room, could you tell me a bit about your fitness center? What kind of equipment do you have?” Usually, they’re happy to tell you. This is especially handy if I’m looking for specific things, like free weights or a particular type of cardio machine.
Wrapping It Up
So yeah, that’s pretty much my routine. It might seem like a bit of extra effort, but honestly, it doesn’t take that long, and it really helps ensure I get a hotel where I can actually get a decent workout in. It’s all about using the tools available – the filters, the photos, the reviews – and not just taking the first thing that pops up. A little bit of digging goes a long way. This way, I can at least try to stick to my fitness goals, even when I’m on the road. Finding the motivation to actually go after a long day of travel? Well, that’s a whole other battle!
