We already know that millennials are willing to spend for the best food and booze. But what else millennials are looking for? American Express Travel did some digging and, not terribly surprisingly, travel and fitness came up for “over half of all millennials on social media.”
Claire Bennett, the Executive Vice President over at American Express Travel, tells Uproxx, “millennials are avidly seeking travel experiences that are personalized, with an emphasis on fitness — and regularly look to social media for inspiration and trending properties.”
It makes sense that millennials would be willing to spend some serious money on the best fitness experiences at a once-in-a-lifetime hotel or resort — our generation is known for favoring everything exclusive and bespoke. Hotels have brought onboard champion swimmers to teach lessons. Yoga masters lead classes on idyllic beaches and city rooftops alike. A few hotels even brought on “running concierges” to help lodgers find the best routes through the cities, parks, beaches, or mountains that surround their property. Other hotels offer rotating programs to fit the landscape — hit yoga on the beach one day, bike around the hills the next, run through a vineyard the day after that.
Properties are also courting young people by appealing to social media users. “The hospitality industry is beginning to branch out to partner with fitness influencers to attract this sector of travelers,” says Bennett. “For instance, The Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne in Miami, recently collaborated with the Tone it Up Girls to host fitness retreat of approximately 500 millennial women on property.”
Below are some dream hotels that are listening to millennials and stepping up their fitness game:
1. FOUR SEAONS HUALALAI — BIG ISLAND, HAWAII
The Four Seasons Haulalai was crowned the best equipped fitness center in the hotel biz. They offer barre fusion, hot bikram yoga, aqua calisthenics, and bouldering on a 24-foot climbing wall. There’s also a huge selection of various, more classic workout classes going on every day for you to join. Personal trainers are on staff to make sure you keep your routine on schedule. Plus, you’re in Hawaii, so a good break and a surfboard are never far away.
2. SURFCOMBER — MIAMI, FL
The Surfcomber’s philosophy is “Live Well, Feel Great!” It’s easy to see why. They have a full range of gear in their gym. Where they shine is taking advantage of their location on South Beach. They want to get you outdoors and enjoying nature while you work out. There are beach runs and yoga. Plus they offer bikes free of charge to get a few miles in around Miami whenever you want to hit the streets. Just try not to stop for too many Cubanos while you’re tooling around South Beach on that bike. Or maybe do…
3. THE WESTIN RIVERFRONT AT BEAVER CREEK MOUTAIN — AVON, CO
Nature and fitness go hand in hand. Have you ever run up a mountain? This property has that option! If you want to stay indoors, their gym offers 70 group exercise classes weekly, plus all the gear you’ll need to get that pump on (and, yes, plenty of yoga). They bring in swimming champions who provide year round lessons for guests of every skill level. On that “over and above” tip, Westin has implemented a RUNWestin program which gives guests all the info they’ll need to run from a short sprint to a marathon (literally).
4. LOEWS ATLANTA — ATLANTA, GA
Fancy doing a yoga session with Atlanta’s skyscrapers as a backdrop? This is the place for you. Yoga not your thing? That’s cool. Loews offers Barre, Cycle, Cardio, and HIIT classes along with a full spa and hammam program. Plus their gym is 10,000 square feet. If that’s not your thing, you can live like a local and find a running route through Atlanta with the help of the fitness staff.
5. THE RITZ-CARLTON, BOSTON COMMON — BOSTON, MA
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The Ritz-Carlton in Boston upped their game hard. Their fitness center is comprehensive. They’ve expanded their fitness facilities to include a full basketball court, four international squash courts, studios for 100 weekly classes from boxing to zumba, and a 25-yard indoor pool all in their 114,000-square-foot facility. That’s bigger than some hotels all by themselves. Seriously, they have a full basketball court on property.
6. THE FAIRMOUNT, SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS — SCOTTSDALE, AZ
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This property is all about full coverage. They offer every class for all levels — from beginner to weekend warrior. Their classes cover all the basics and unique extras like TRX and aerial yoga. Recently they partnered with Reebok to offer club members the opportunity to deck themselves out in Reebok apparel and running shoes, which are delivered straight to your room. They also provide local running maps so you can check out the beauty of Arizona while working out!
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7. BERNARDUS LODGE & SPA — CARMEL, CA
Bernardus utilized their idyllic California location well. They offer a combination of exercise and spa that will work you hard and pamper you well. You can choose from vinyasa and vino (that’s yoga WITH wine), group endurance hikes, fun runs, boot camps, starlit yoga, and lavender harvest. Yes, you can work up a sweat on a lavender farm for a day. If you want a little lower endurance sport, they also have awesome lawn games. Bocce, yo!
8. PELICAN HILL RESORT — NEWPORT COAST, CA
Pelican Hill Resort offers that full menu of classes that you should come to expect at this level of hotel. What makes them stand above the rest are the 500 acres of pristine oceanfront the resort sits upon. That’s 500 acres to cycle, run, and walk. They also offer athletics trainings, boot camps, and tonal muscle trainings, or just low impact walks if you want to keep in easy. With that much property to explore, you’ll feel like you’re truly away from the hustle and bustle of every day life, at least for a weekend.
Best of all, Orange County’s famous surf breaks will be right at your fingertips.
9. RANCHO VALENCIA — RANCHO SANTA FE, CA
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Rancho Valencia has a clear goal of high-performance fitness. Their gym and yoga studio are state-of-the-art. Their classes are taught by some of the best in the world. They offer weekend retreats that fit your fitness regime. They also have a large focus on cycling and regularly bring in some of the best cyclists in the world to teach 5 day retreats and amp up your cycling skills. The package even comes with a consultation with a chef to assure you’re eating well enough — and enough calories — to complete the intense training involved. The best part is that you get to explore the area while mastering those skills.
