The best hotel gyms in europe
There are two things that I find very important in a hotel. A good bar and a great gym. Indeed, exact opposites, but I absolutely do not want that whisky sour hanging around on my hips. St. Martins Lane, the hotel that we’ve been staying in the last few days in London has both. I couldn’t be happier and my fellow editor girlfriend, Liesbeth is pretty stoked too, although she’s been hanging out at the bar more than me. Look, in New York you walk a lot, like kilometres through Central Park, but in these hotels a visit to the gym is on the cards. Make sure you’re dressed properly though because the chance of bumping into a Ryan Gosling type dude is high.
This is one of the biggest hotel gyms in Europe. I tried to look as if I belonged during my first visit but that ended up in me getting totally lost. After three rounds of the building, up and down several flights of steps, disturbing a Pilates class, I finally found the cardio machines. The building is dimly lit, with lots of coloured lights and has pumping fitness-music playing. You can choose from all sorts of machines and there’s a boxing ring in the middle with classes going on. The dress code for men is small and tight tank top, at least ten kilos of muscle per arm and tiny pants. Hair should be slicked back with gel and a small towel should be draped around the neck. You can now imagine why my hour on the treadmill flew by so quickly.
The Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam has a small but comfortable gym. Hotel guests and members (with an extremely high bank account) are always allowed in. I on the other hand ended up standing in front of the door, ready to treat myself to an hour of luxury sport and swimming, and was turned away. “It’s too busy in our gym and spa madam, sorry.” Maybe because I had my All Stars and sports clothing in a plastic bag? Never do that again. I managed to get in wearing my very best Nike outfit. You can also join a yoga class and then spend some time in the sauna. They have fresh towels and wonderfully smelling bath robes ready for you. All sorts of snacks like raw nuts and dried fruit are available as well as a herbal tea.
Gym with the best view ever. Wonderful blue ocean and yachts coming and going into the Monaco harbor. Lots to see around you too, because you almost don’t belong without fake boobs or plumped lips. Let me loose to people watch. I once took a Body pump-class, but it was constantly interrupted by a dog in the corner dressed from tail to nose in Louis Vuitton, constantly barking. His owner refused to leave him alone in the hotel room, even for an hour. When they finally gave him some fresh fruit he quietened down and the lesson continued.
The Mandarin Hotel is in one of the most prestigious streets in Paris, near Hotel Costes. There is a big chance that you’ll bump into Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace or Anna Dello Russo here, also in the gym. It’s usual to hire a personal trainer for an hour and before your lesson you can warm up a bit on the yoga mat in your room. There is a gigantic steam room and the wellness staff are more than happy to offer you a hot stone massage.
