Gyms with added five star luxuries
GYM bunnies looking for the top-flight places to keep fit should head to the city’s leading hotels. Lavish surroundings, less-crowded gymnasiums and access to magnificent spas make exercise a pleasure, even an indulgence. Here are five of the best.
CORINTHIA HOTEL
Plush, in a word. The new Corinthia Hotel is a place of dazzling, no-expense-spared opulence, and its Espa Life spa and gym – all four floors of it – is no different. The emphasis is more on the spa side – there are treatments and treatment rooms galore – but the gym has its fair share of cardio, weights, powerplates and rowing machines, plus private personal training “pods” for those who’d rather get fit away from prying eyes. Stunning, sofa-lined pool too. Whitehall Place, SW1A 2BD. Membership fee on enquiry. www.corinthia.com
LANDMARK HOTEL
If you like swimming to be a significant part of your workout, the chlorine-free, 15 metre pool in the spa and gym of this Marylebone institution will be a big draw. Each piece of cardio training equipment is equipped with its own integrated audiovisual system and screen too. 222 Marylebone Road, NW1 6JQ. Membership: from £108 per month, plus £125 joining fee. It’s also signed up to the discount service for one-off visits, payasyougym.com, which offers access for £19.99 a session. www.landmarklondon.co.uk
BERKELEY HOTEL
The rooftop health club at the famous Knightsbridge hotel – where the treadmills have a panoramic view across Hyde Park – comes into its own at this time of year thanks to its glorious open-air swimming pool (the roof slides over for chilly days). The surrounding sun terrace has this year been given a temporary summer conversion along the theme of an English country garden, with plenty of flowers and foliage to get lost in. The hotel can also press your suit while you’re doing your work out. Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL. Membership is £1,850 per year. www.the-berkeley.co.uk
SOHO HOTEL
Bang in the heart of the West End, the Soho Hotel’s smart little Soholistic studio gym is also open 24 hours. The strength and aerobic machines all have integrated entertainment systems and touchscreen technology, while personal training is overseen by renowned “body guru” Gina Hemmings. 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH. Annual 24 hour membership £850, or £700 for annual off peak memebership (9am-10pm). www.sohohotel.com
LANGHAM HOTEL
The large, luxurious pool of the recently-launched Chuan spa and health club in Marylebone’s Langham hotel is situated in what was once a large bank vault. As the name suggests, the place has a Chinese flavour, with the spa offering treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine. As well as the pool and a fully-equipped gym, there’s a separate vitality pool and a salt sauna, plus separate sauna and steam rooms. 1c Portland Place, Regent W1B 1JA T Membership is £155 per month with £200 one-off joining fee. London.langhamhotels.co.uk