Form over

everything

The Swords Travel take on the best hotel gyms in the world

You know the feeling. You arrive at a luxury hotel, ready to stay on top of your routine, only to find a sad treadmill in a mirrored box. It says “wellness,” but it smells like forgotten resolutions and questionable ventilation.

Not on our watch.

At Swords Travel, we’re gym spotters. Not just casual lifters, but genuinely obsessed with finding hotel gyms that go beyond functional — places where the squat rack isn’t an afterthought and the equipment doesn’t belong in a community centre circa 2003. We’re talking beautiful spaces. World-class kit. Serious programming. And views that might just ruin your home setup.

Here’s our very own hotlist of hotel gyms worth travelling for:

1. Capella Sydney,

Australia

Sleek Technogym set-up with the latest strength and cardio gear

An underground studio that feels more private club than hotel gym, this is Capella Sydney. The layout is smart and spacious, with a full Technogym set-up, dedicated stretch zone, and access to a 20-metre heated pool. Subtle lighting, clean finishes, and intuitive flow make it easy to get into your session and out again without fuss.

2. SHA Wellness,

Spain & Mexico

Integrated health-tech: body composition analysis, metabolic testing, personalised training plans

Built around a clinical approach to wellness, SHA’s gym spaces are rigorous and focused. Every detail — from metabolic testing to trainer-led programming — is geared toward performance and longevity. Sleds, TRX, and diagnostics sit comfortably alongside spa treatments and recovery tools. It’s structured, but not sterile.

3. The Maybourne Beverly Hills,

USA

Bright rooftop gym with skyline views and floor-to-ceiling windows

A rooftop space with natural light and just the right amount of L.A. energy. The kit is strong — Pelotons, Woodway treadmills, a solid strength zone — and sessions can be booked with top-level trainers. Plenty of space, no noise, and the pool a few steps away. Very few hotel gyms feel this well-composed.

4. Aman New York,

USA

3,000 sq ft fitness centre with panoramic views over Manhattan

Set high above Fifth Avenue, this 3,000-square-foot wellness floor is stripped back, calm, and quietly immaculate. Skillmills, Kinesis walls, and free weights are laid out with space to move, not squeeze. The adjacent spa is equally considered, with cold plunge, sauna, and hydrotherapy designed to complement the rhythm of your training. 

5. Eleven Deplar Farm,

Iceland

Fully equipped strength and conditioning gym, rare for a remote luxury lodge

Deep in the wilderness, this Icelandic lodge holds one of the best strength and conditioning gyms in Europe. Olympic bars, ski ergs, kettlebells, rowers — all ready for post-ski or pre-hike training. Recovery is built into the experience, with float tanks, cold plunges and infrared saunas on hand. No distractions, just space to work.

6. Singita Sabora,

Tanzania

Open-air gym tent with sweeping views of the Serengeti

A safari camp with a gym that’s quiet, open-air, and remarkably well-stocked. Treadmills, free weights and a dedicated mat zone sit under canvas, overlooking the Serengeti. Light, air, and horizon — not a mirrored wall in sight. It’s a minimalist set-up that feels purposeful, not sparse.

7. One&Only Portonovi,

Montenegro

High-performance gym in partnership with Chenot wellness brand

This Adriatic retreat is built around precision. The equipment list reads like a spec sheet: Technogym Artis Line, hydrotherapy, cryo, plunge pools. Movement screenings and structured sessions are available for anyone looking to train beyond the superficial. The space is cool, clean, and dialled in. 

8. Puente Romano – Marbella,

Spain

In-house personal trainers and rotating visiting wellness experts

A Mediterranean institution with a gym to match. Inside: a full suite of cardio and weights, plus functional kit, boxing, and reformer Pilates. Outside: tennis, paddle, beach. It’s the kind of place where a two-hour session blends seamlessly into the rest of your day. Bright, energetic, and never overcrowded. 

9. Estelle Manor – Cotswolds,

United Kingdom

Members’ club-level fitness facilities (not open to all guests — but you’re in)

Tucked away in Oxfordshire, this private health club feels far more members’ club than hotel add-on. The gym is spacious and beautifully designed — soft light, natural textures, and not a single piece of kit out of place. Olympic bars, Technogym cardio, a quiet studio space for mobility. The post-lift swim and steam feel more ritual than routine. 

10. Explora Journeys,

Worldwide

State-of-the-art wellness spaces designed for movement and recovery at sea

With over 350 sqm of indoor and outdoor space, Explora Journeys’ fitness centres are designed in partnership with Technogym to cover everything from Pilates to strength training. A 360-degree running track encircles the ship, offering uninterrupted ocean views for your morning run. Guests can also enjoy an all-inclusive functional training kit and virtual coaching—right in their suite or private balcony. Because why settle for a view of the gym walls when you can run circles around the entire ocean? 

To enquire about any of these hotels or discuss perks call
0203 907 1100 or start planning your trip below.

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