An exercise-filled holiday might not normally sound appealing, but what about a workout amidst icy mountaintops or ocean-side expanses? From tranquil sea vistas to bustling urban panoramas, these eight gyms around the world offer glorious views and incredible facilities.
Vivanta by Taj, Bentota, Sri Lanka
Set in a luxury resort on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, the Vivanta by Taj fitness centre looks out over towering palms and distant beaches, backed by pink-stained sunsets.
The gym offers 24-hour fitness services, with exercise balls, cardio machines, weights, stationary bikes, and treadmills at the ready, and there’s a personal instructor available between 7am and 8pm. Guests can also unwind in the on-site Jacuzzi and sauna.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
With floor-to-ceiling windows installed with panoramic vistas in mind, the modern yoga studio and fitness centre at the sumptuous Burj Al Arab hotel overlooks Dubai’s coastline and the Arabian Gulf.
The gym is housed in the hotel’s two-floor Assawan Spa, where guests can choose between ladies-only and mixed fitness rooms, while the hotel’s two luxurious infinity pools offer a soothing environment for swimming.
Viceroy, Maldives
Positioned above the Indian Ocean on a timber jetty plucked straight from a postcard, the Viceroy’s yoga and fitness centre emphasises the delicate combination of balance, breath, and beauty in exercise.
The facilities come complete with cardio machines and strength-building equipment, and all gym-goers receive complimentary fitness consultations. Those looking to relax will delight in the Viceroy’s array of yoga and meditation styles, including daily dawn sessions of Suryanamaskar yoga.
W Retreat, Koh Samui, Thailand
The aptly named FIT Fitness Centre at W Retreat takes full advantage of Koh Samui’s natural beauty, showcasing both the lush surrounding jungle and the Gulf of Thailand through vast windows.
Get started with weight machines, speed ropes, cardio machines, and yoga balls, with complimentary headphones thrown in. The FIT team also provide an array of group activities, ranging from aqua aerobics to Pilates, and you can even have a go at Thai boxing.
Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, Amalfi Coast, Italy
An intimate outdoor gym, hidden amongst vibrant bougainvilleas atop a cliff on the Gulf of Salerno, the Monastero will make converts of even the most devoted couch potatoes.
Work up a sweat with rowing machines, dumbbells, elliptical trainers, and exercise bikes high above the hotel’s infinity pool and tropical gardens, all set against a gorgeous Mediterranean vista.
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, California, USA
For dramatic Pacific Ocean views, jump on the cross-trainer below a twinkling chandelier at The Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, California.
Open between 9am and 7pm, the gym at this lavish beachside hotel is outfitted with the latest fitness kit. One-hour yoga and Pilates classes are held outdoors in an inspiring oceanfront gazebo each morning.
Kulm Hotel St Moritz, Switzerland
Workouts at St Moritz’s Kulm Hotel take place in a bright, airy fitness room, from which guests can enjoy 180-degree views of the village and Lake St Moritz.
There are cardio and weight-training machines aplenty, and the hotel also offers a specially designed Body and Mind Programme based on the combination of intense physical training with nutrition advice and relaxation exercises.
St Regis Bangkok, Thailand
The swish fitness room at the St Regis Bangkok shows off the city’s glittering commercial district and verdant parks from up high, all visible through the gym’s glass walls.
TechnoGym machines cater to both strength-training and cardiovascular exercise, but guests can also seek guidance from a personal trainer.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas
(Featured image: © Yellowj)
