Anyone who has ever tried to jam a carton of yogurt or bag of baby carrots into a hotel room's mini-fridge knows how challenging it can be to travel with a few healthy food favorites.
But take heart business and vacation travelers. Hotels are helping make it easier for guests to stick to their healthy eating and fitness habits while on the road. At The Homewood Suites in Charleston, S.C., full-sized refrigerators are a standard amenity in a fully equipped kitchen. "We'll even do the grocery shopping for you," general manager Cori Lovern said.
Located near the Charleston International Airport, this affordable Hilton-brand hotel caters to guests who stay more than a week — either on a corporate assignment or for family vacations. If they want to mix work with a workout, free wireless Internet allows guests to access their laptops at the fitness center or the pool.
Healthy breakfasts
The free daily breakfast includes a healthy assortment of yogurt, cereals and fruit, as well as eggs and hot breakfast dishes. There's even a complimentary dinner on weekdays that allows guests to mingle during a meal that includes a salad bar, beer and wine. "Some nights we invite everyone to join us on the patio to grill foods for dinner," Lovern said,
The hotel's staff is used to fitness-focused guests. "We have a superfit guy here right now who even leads impromptu Zumba classes in one of the meeting rooms," Lovern said.
Spin cycle
No time to work out because you have to do your laundry at the hotel? Another Hilton brand, Home2 Suites, features a fitness room with free washers and dryers called Spin2 Cycle. "That way you don't have to run back and forth to your room to check on your clothes. You can hop on an exercise bike," said Matt Barlett, general manager of the Charleston location. "Or we have comfortable chairs where you can read a book."
Rooms at Home2 have refrigerators, microwave ovens and two-burner cooktops.
Extreme fitness
If road cycling, paragliding, paddle boarding, fly fishing or horseback riding are activities you've got on your vacation to-do list, then The Limelight Hotel in Aspen is ready to provide the adventure. A valet will help carry your mountain bike, and there's even yoga-hiking on the menu of mountaintop day trips. To help provide the sustenance needed by its Gortex-wearing guests, The Limelight's breakfast buffet is a smorgasbord of freshly baked whole-grain breads, imported cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, platters of fresh fruit, granolas and Greek yogurts.
Spa central
Ever left the hotel spa all relaxed and glowy, only to be shaken out of your Zen-like state because you had to cross the busy lobby or ride a crowded elevator? Now guests can remain calm by staying on the Spa Level of The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, with rooms and suites on the same floor as spa treatments. This thoughtful innovation is the first of its kind offered by the luxury hotel group.
Carolyn O'Neil is a registered dietitian and co-author of The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous! email her at carolynoneil@aol.com
