Best Hotel Gyms in the World — For Travellers Who Actually Train

Most hotel gyms are designed for people who don't actually work out. Three treadmills, a rack of light dumbbells capped at 15kg, a universal cable machine, and a TV showing news. For anyone with a serious training routine — powerlifters, CrossFitters, competitive swimmers, or dedicated runners — this is useless.

The hotels in this guide understand that fitness-focused travellers need proper equipment, adequate space, and facilities that allow them to maintain their training programme on the road. These aren't wellness lounges — they're proper gyms that happen to be inside extraordinary hotels.

Four Seasons New York Downtown — the gym spans 4,000 square feet with a full free-weight area including squat racks, flat and incline benches, dumbbells up to 45kg, Olympic bars, and a cable crossover station. The space also includes TRX suspension trainers and a dedicated stretching area. Personal trainers with NASM certification are available.

The Ned, London — the former Midland Bank's basement vault has been converted into a members' club gym with an extraordinary equipment selection. Soho House members and hotel guests access squat racks, platforms, kettlebells up to 48kg, and a boxing ring. The adjacent 20m pool is lined with the original bank vault pillars.

1 Hotel South Beach, Miami — the 14,000-square-foot Anatomy fitness centre offers more equipment than most commercial gyms: Hammer Strength machines, power racks, Olympic platforms, Concept2 rowers, Assault bikes, and a full functional training area. The oceanfront running track is a bonus.

Park Hyatt Tokyo — the 20m pool on the 47th floor is one of the world's most photographed hotel pools, but it's also genuinely usable for lap swimming. Lane ropes are available during morning hours, and the early-morning swim with a sunrise view over Tokyo is transcendent.

The Langham, Sydney — a 20m indoor pool with dedicated lane swimming hours, plus an outdoor pool for leisure. The adjacent gym is well-equipped with a full free-weight area.

Verdura Resort, Sicily — a 25m Olympic-style pool alongside the sea, with timed lane sessions for serious swimmers. The resort's broader sports offering (60m infinity pool, 6 tennis courts, golf) makes it one of Europe's best athletic hotels.

W Barcelona — the beachfront location means you step out of the hotel onto a 4km boardwalk perfect for running. The gym includes Peloton bikes and treadmills, but the real draw is the outdoor training potential: beach running, outdoor yoga sessions, and a rooftop WET deck pool for recovery.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada — the hotel's Willow Stream Spa includes a gym, but the Banff setting offers trail running, mountain biking, and outdoor fitness that no indoor gym can match. The Bow Valley Parkway trail from the hotel door is one of North America's most scenic runs.

Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal — the gym is adequate, but the real offering is outdoor fitness: vineyard running routes mapped by the hotel, mountain biking through the Douro terraces, kayaking on the Douro River, and guided hikes through Portugal's most beautiful wine country.

Specific equipment questions — email the hotel and ask for the exact equipment list. A hotel that can't tell you their heaviest dumbbell or whether they have a squat rack is telling you all you need to know about their gym priorities.

Gym hours — 24-hour access is ideal for travellers crossing time zones. Many hotel gyms close at 10pm and open at 6am — useless for jet-lagged early risers. Confirm operating hours before booking.

Pool lane availability — a beautiful 25m pool is worthless for training if it's a free-form leisure pool with no lane ropes. Ask whether lane swimming is available and during which hours.

Guest passes to local gyms — some hotels partner with nearby commercial gyms (CrossFit boxes, climbing gyms, boxing studios) and offer discounted or complimentary guest passes. This can be more valuable than the hotel's own facilities.

Recovery facilities — ice baths, saunas, steam rooms, and cryotherapy are increasingly available at fitness-focused hotels. Post-workout recovery is as important as the workout itself for travelling athletes.