Winter may be here, but not every guest is interested in hibernating. Some are ready to climb out of bed… and on to the StairMaster. A recent Hilton survey of 2,000 travelers revealed that 33 percent prioritize exercise during vacations. Among business travelers, that commitment is even stronger: 51 percent identify gym availability as a critical part of their experience. Here’s how to elevate your property’s fitness amenities to engage this significant market segment.
Gym
For most guests, a hotel fitness experience starts with the gym—but it doesn’t need to be extravagant to be enjoyable.
Get the Basics Right
Start with essentials like treadmills, free weights, and yoga mats and expand as your budget allows. Free weights are not only cost effective but also more durable than many machines. If you do invest in machines, opt for cable-based ones that offer versatile workouts and prioritize reputable, long-lasting brands. Choose compact or foldable pieces to maximize available space and don’t overlook post-workout amenities. At the very least, you should supply water and hand towels.
Layout & Design
Design your space for both functionality and atmosphere. Incorporate mirrors to help guests monitor their form and ample windows to let in natural light. Each fitness activity should have its own distinct zone, for example, cardio equipment should be separated from yoga or stretching areas. Deliver strong Wi-Fi connectivity and check that televisions are strategically placed for visibility.
Hygiene & Maintenance
Like any other guest-facing space, your gym must reflect the highest standards of cleanliness and care. Provide disinfectant wipes and stock professional-grade cleaning products designed specifically for fitness environments. Regular maintenance is equally important, so schedule routine inspections to identify wear and tear, preventing equipment failures and potential injuries. Utilizing WebRezPro Property Management System’s maintenance alarms and housekeeping checklists streamlines these procedures and ensures every detail is attended to.
Clarify the Rules
Establish and clearly display guidelines to promote a safe, respectful environment. Guests should be prompted to care for equipment, e.g., wipe down machines after use and return weights to their racks. If your fitness center has peak periods, implement time limits on high-demand machines. A few practical reminders—like no open-toed shoes—also set expectations and contribute to a positive experience.
Welcome Locals
Finally, your gym isn’t just an expected amenity; it’s a valuable investment and potential income stream. If you have the space and equipment to cater to more customers or slow periods where gym use drops, consider offering memberships or day passes for local residents. Unlike seasonal guests, they provide steady income year-round. To create premium experiences, bundle fitness access with wellness solutions such as spa treatments. Guests naturally associate these services, and presenting them as a unified package strengthens your brand while boosting ancillary revenue.
No Gym? No Problem…
If a gym is not a feasible addition to your property, consider offering complimentary or discounted access to a nearby facility or enhancing in-room wellness with thoughtful touches such as hand weights and yoga mats.
Pool
A VivoAquatics survey found that 75 percent of guests consider a hotel’s pool and hot tub among the top three most crucial amenities. Investing in these features not only enhances guest satisfaction but also raises your property’s visibility in search filters and booking platforms.
Your pool appeals to a wide range of travelers, from fitness enthusiasts to families. And if you provide day passes to local visitors (see above), it can become both a guest favorite and reliable source of additional revenue. Improve the experience with thoughtful design elements, such as lush greenery to create an inviting atmosphere and a convenient snack bar for post-swim refreshments.
That said, maintaining a safe, hygienic environment is most essential. Enact clear protocols, including restricting unsupervised access for young children and, when possible, staffing the area with a certified lifeguard. You must also consistently monitor chlorine levels and water quality to prevent bacteria growth.
Classes
Providing group fitness classes for guests and/or locals elevates your hotel’s wellness program and attracts those eager for new experiences. Popular options include yoga, Pilates, and various forms of aerobics, all of which can accommodate multiple fitness levels. Of course, for more active or adventurous guests, you can incorporate higher-intensity offerings and specialized sessions.
Tailor these offerings to your location and unique brand identity. For example, a tropical resort could provide surfing or scuba lessons, enabling guests to explore the reef. Keep in mind, you can make wellness classes memorable even without a spectacular setting. Our client, Cromwell Manor Inn, hosted yoga sessions at sunset, an inspired touch that turned a simple workout into a special guest experience.
Whenever possible, hold classes outdoors. Beyond serving as a compelling marketing feature, this delivers tangible wellness benefits; just 20 minutes in nature has been shown to decrease stress hormones.
Outdoors
Group classes aren’t the only way guests can enjoy the outdoors while staying active. Many travelers prefer exploring on their own, so equip them with tools and knowledge to do so successfully. Bikes, kayaks, and snowshoes are popular in countryside and mountain areas. At a minimum, feature information about hiking trails and outdoor activities on your website, social media, and in your digital guide. Not only does this content attract potential guests, it also provides practical guidance to ensure their safety. City people coming to the country don’t always know what they don’t know!
If your property is in an urban setting, there are still plenty of opportunities for guests to venture outside. Provide curated recommendations for nearby parks, scenic walking routes, and vibrant neighborhoods. Sightseeing offers guests the chance to get their steps in while discovering the city’s charm!
Guided walking tours are a great way to introduce guests to what’s on offer nearby. For an especially memorable twist, consider a culinary theme. Guests can sample local flavors while staying active—a perfect blend of indulgence and wellness that leaves a lasting impression.
Adventure Activities
Adventure travel caters to guests seeking immersive, physically engaging ways to explore, and it’s a rapidly expanding market, with an estimated value of 1.01 trillion USD by 2030. Popular activities include ziplining, kayaking excursions, mountain biking tours, and other adrenaline-filled experiences.
Partnering with local businesses allows you to deliver these experiences without the logistical challenges of managing them in-house (after all, installing a zipline in your lobby isn’t exactly practical). Maximize the benefits of these partnerships through cross-marketing initiatives—exchange backlinks, share one another’s content, and highlight the collaboration on social media. This not only enhances visibility for both brands but also positions your property as a hub for authentic adventures.
How Your PMS Helps Manage Fitness Amenities and Other Ancillary Services
With a robust, cloud-based property management system (PMS) like WebRezPro, managing fitness programs and other revenue-generating activities becomes effortless. This all-in-one platform serves as the central command center for your property, consolidating everything from guest bookings and preferences to accounting and performance reporting.
First, leverage guest data to identify which fitness amenities and offerings best align with your customer segments. Whether your clientele consists of corporate go-getters or adventure travelers, analyzing booking trends and purchase patterns allows you to adapt programming for maximum engagement.
Then, using WebRezPro’s integrated booking engine, you can seamlessly upsell fitness add-ons and activities during the reservation process—convenient for both you and your guests. Activities and other ancillary products can also be added to bookings during the guest’s stay or sold independently, which enables you to offer day passes and local access. Limited items such as in-room Peloton bikes and ski rentals can be tracked with WebRezPro’s inventory control feature, preventing overbookings.
Thoughtfully designed fitness solutions elevate the guest experience and create valuable opportunities to generate ancillary revenue. Today’s travelers are eager to stay active—both in and beyond the gym—so make it easy for them to do so with you.
