New York City may be as famous for its pizza and cheesecake as it is for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, but you won’t have to feel guilty about indulging in some of these calorie-laden treats when your hotel makes it convenient to burn off those extra calories. A select number of fitness- and wellness-focused accommodations make it almost effortless to stick to — or even kick off — a workout routine. You just may return home feeling healthier than when you left. And perhaps a little more sore.
Don’t let travel derail your diet and exercise routine on your next trip to the Big Apple. These top 3 hotels will help prevent you from bringing home an extra 5 pounds as a souvenir.
1. TRYP BY WYNDHAM TIMES SQUARE SOUTH
TRYP by Wyndham
This 3-star hotel is located near hot spots such as Madison Square Garden and the Empire State Building, as well as a bike rental shop. It’s also just a few avenues away from the waterfront on the West Side Highway, where you can run for miles down to Battery Park.
Best Fitness Features
While the TRYP Times Square South has a small gym that’s open 24/7, it also provides free day passes to the nearby New York Sports Club — great for when you want to take an early-morning boxing class or get access to a larger variety of exercise equipment. However, the feature that really elevates this hotel to exceptional health status is the option to book an individual Fitness Room. These special rooms have king-sized beds, flat-screen TVs and come with your very own private exercise equipment — such as a stationary bike, hand weights, yoga mat and exercise clothes in your requested size. This eliminates all excuses for ditching your workout: You don’t even have to get dressed and go down to the gym but can sweat it out in the privacy of your own room.
While the TRYP Times Square South has a small gym that’s open 24/7, it also provides free day passes to the nearby New York Sports Club — great for when you want to take an early-morning boxing class or get access to a larger variety of exercise equipment. However, the feature that really elevates this hotel to exceptional health status is the option to book an individual Fitness Room. These special rooms have king-sized beds, flat-screen TVs and come with your very own private exercise equipment — such as a stationary bike, hand weights, yoga mat and exercise clothes in your requested size. This eliminates all excuses for ditching your workout: You don’t even have to get dressed and go down to the gym but can sweat it out in the privacy of your own room.
Healthy EatsOrder a nutritious post-workout meal from the spa menu created especially for the Fitness Rooms. Chef Joey Lopez whips up protein-packed recovery meals that don’t skimp on taste, such as the Gastro Bar Sandwich made with roasted turkey and heart-healthy cranberries or the omega-3 packed grilled ahi tuna with Cameros cheese.
2. THE LONDON NYC
The London NYC
The AAA Four-Diamond award winner The London NYC is walking-friendly, thanks to its convenient location just blocks away from Lincoln Center, MoMA, Carnegie Hall, Fifth Avenue, Times Square and Central Park.
Best Fitness Features
While may hotel gyms are cramped and feel more like an afterthought, The London NYC’s 24-hour, spa-like fitness facility is so spacious and cutting-edge that it makes you actually want to break from your sightseeing activities to hit the gym. Designed by David Collins Studios (whose motto is “global luxury architecture”), the gym features clean wood elements and large windows that let in plenty of natural light, as well as cardio machines (with individual TVs), an extensive collection of free weights and an airy stretching area. The gym also has a Kinesis wall, a 4-station circuit that uses resistance cables. The Kinesis wall helps you work out smarter in less time because it allows you to combine cardio, strength and flexibility moves. Personal training sessions and in-room massages are also available.
While may hotel gyms are cramped and feel more like an afterthought, The London NYC’s 24-hour, spa-like fitness facility is so spacious and cutting-edge that it makes you actually want to break from your sightseeing activities to hit the gym. Designed by David Collins Studios (whose motto is “global luxury architecture”), the gym features clean wood elements and large windows that let in plenty of natural light, as well as cardio machines (with individual TVs), an extensive collection of free weights and an airy stretching area. The gym also has a Kinesis wall, a 4-station circuit that uses resistance cables. The Kinesis wall helps you work out smarter in less time because it allows you to combine cardio, strength and flexibility moves. Personal training sessions and in-room massages are also available.
Healthy EatsGordon Ramsay at The London is a 2-Michelin star restaurant that serves up French-inspired cuisine, but you can also check out the more casual MAZE restaurant for a seasonal-inspired menu (think: Amish chicken breast or slow-cooked organic hen’s egg with spinach). Check out the adjacent London Bar’s seasonal specials, such as a power smoothie made with muscle-soothing organic Wakaya ginger powder.
3. AFFINIA DUMONT
Oyster.com
With suites that offer views of the Chrysler Building and East River, the Affinia Dumont is nestled in Midtown East, just a few blocks away from the Empire State Building, and offers easy access to some of Murray Hill’s best restaurants — including Brasserie Les Halles, the home base of chef-at-large Anthony Bourdain that offers several grilled options and light salads.
Best Fitness Features
You can combine exercise with sightseeing by pedaling around New York’s biggest landmarks on one of the Affinia Dumont’s complimentary Republic Bikes. The bikes come with a helmet, lock, basket, map of popular routes and a list of available bicycle parking racks in the area. If biking isn’t your thing, request The Walking Tour Kit be delivered to your door. It comes with an iPod loaded with a walking tour and workout playlist, a walking tour guidebook, a map, pedometer and towel. You can also check out the on-site, 24-hour gym. Or you might want to squeeze in a workout session right in your room: Affina Hotels offer a complimentary StayFit Kit, which includes a yoga mat, workout DVDs, and ankle and wrist weights.
You can combine exercise with sightseeing by pedaling around New York’s biggest landmarks on one of the Affinia Dumont’s complimentary Republic Bikes. The bikes come with a helmet, lock, basket, map of popular routes and a list of available bicycle parking racks in the area. If biking isn’t your thing, request The Walking Tour Kit be delivered to your door. It comes with an iPod loaded with a walking tour and workout playlist, a walking tour guidebook, a map, pedometer and towel. You can also check out the on-site, 24-hour gym. Or you might want to squeeze in a workout session right in your room: Affina Hotels offer a complimentary StayFit Kit, which includes a yoga mat, workout DVDs, and ankle and wrist weights.
Healthy EatsMany of Affinia’s rooms have kitchens so you can make your own healthy meals. The hotel also works with local nutritionists, who offer customized programs to arm you with tools for staying healthy on the road and at home, such as guided grocery-shopping excursions, personalized diet