Westin recently launched the WestinWorkout — whereby you can have a treadmill or spinning machine in your hotel room.
For some, this is a good thing. For me, it’s the antithesis of what I want in a hotel room. I don’t get the appeal of having a large piece of exercise equipment next to your bed. Aesthetically it’s all wrong, especially in a chain that pitches serenity and luxury. Much like I don’t like to sleep at the gym, I don’t like to use exercise machines in the bedroom.
I’ve worked out at hotel gyms, and they’ve never been crowded. It’s hardly a meat market. I guess it’s convenient to not have to take an elevator down a couple floors, but is that really so hard? I’m sure market-testing indicates a market niche here.
I’m reminded of two things. First, a theme in Robert Putnam’s somewhat alarmist book on the “collapse and revival of American community,” Bowling Alone: Activities that were once communal or social activities have become solitary and individual. We can’t even work out in a gym anymore when we’re away from home.
Second, it gives me the opportunity to tell a Bob Costas anecdote. And none of my Bob Costas anecdotes — none — are complimentary. Thankfully the Olympics are over, so I don’t have to see his arrogant mug on my television any longer. Hallelujah!
In my one and only job in the hospitality business, back in the mid-90s, I worked in the offices of a 4-star hotel in Chicago. Costas and other NBC Sports figures were regular guests, typically in town to cover Chicago Bulls games. The sportscasters and the visiting team typically stayed at the same hotel. Coworkers related stories galore about the ego trips that some of these celebrities went on, but it was always the sportscasters, never the athletes, who drew the employees’ ire.
In one of his more minor transgressions (and the reason why I’m mentioning him now), Costas insisted on having exercise equipment trucked up to his room, because he didn’t want to work out at the hotel’s attached health club. The same health club where visiting NBA teams regularly worked out. Good enough for the Seattle Supersonics, but not for Bob.
My favorite story, though: Costas complained to a staffer because the sun was waking him up, shining brightly into his face every morning. The reply: “Were the curtains closed?” (No.) Costas flies off the handle, screaming at the staffer for “questioning him.” He proceeds to insist that housekeeping come up to his room to cover the bedroom windows in his suite with black construction paper. Much to my chagrin, the hotel management agreed to do it.
Bottom line: Now Westin is letting us all be Bob Costas, hiding from public sight while we curl our dumbbells or ride our spinning cycles in the same rooms where we work and rest. Will they take construction-paper requests for windows soon, too?
Would this be a room you’d reserve? Hit the comments.
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August 26th, 2008 at 8:27 am
I wouldn’t reserve this room. The last thing I want to do is smell the stench of every guest who broke a sweat in the room.
Even when i used to be a smoker i never stayed in a smoking room. The odour was jsut terrible.
August 26th, 2008 at 9:30 am
What is different then when it was announced in 2005? Is it now available at every Westin?
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August 26th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I can’t imagine wanting an opportunity to spend more time alone when I’m staying in a hotel. But I suppose building a community of guests isn’t really a strong suit for most hotels.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I completely agree. Maybe they want to sell this as a premium to people with low self-esteem? Or remove-control addicts ?
August 26th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I can see why some people would value this. First of all, lots of people have very serious workout routines and it’s very important to know they won’t need to break from that routine when they are away from home. I’ve been at several hotels where the gym is absolutely packed at certain hours of the day (like 6-8am), and often you can’t get the type of machine you want.
For me, the problem is hotels generally don’t have adequate weight lifting options, but this isn’t something they can build into every room. I guess I’d rather see them spend this money to expand their gyms in general, rather than customizing individual rooms.
August 26th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I would reserve this room, totally, and love the idea!
I think I’m the market who this is being pitched to. I like working out alone, in front of a tv, or with a good book. In private, where nobody can disturb me, or see me.
I own an exercise bike, and use it at home every day. But I RARELY work out when I travel, partially because of the fact that I simply don’t like gyms, but also because I rarely remember to pack clothes for exercising. This would allow me to exercise in whatever clothes I wanted (or lack thereof), and do so in private.
Well worth it for me!
August 26th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
So you don’t want to manage the stench blah blah blah. It’s cleaned everyday. I’ve lived in westins for the last 4 years. I love that room. 1 it’s a Junior suite and if your camped out there for a while you come to appreciate the space. 2: When i end up living in a hotel mine usually turns into a studio apartment with really nice amenities. I work out a LOT and having everything right there whenever i wanted it is very appealing to me. I’m sure it’s not for every one but, it’s always been great for me. Other thing this room as a DVD player in it yes that’s right you can watch DVD’s on the TV even if you don’t touch the excercise gear that alone might be worth it.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I say, to each his own. Westin is giving people the choice. If you don’t want the machine in your room, then you request a room with no machine. It’s like smoking or non-smoking. The choice is yours.
August 27th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Taking the elevator down to the gym? You know, you could try the stairs if you’re that bothered about keeping fit…
My worry is that having this stuff in the room might encourage the unfit – perhaps people too shy of their body shape to exercise usually – to ‘have a quick go’ on the treadmill. People unused to exercise + unsupervised high-end exercise equipment = potential Isaac Hayes style tragedy, surely?
August 27th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Personally, it’s not for me. I enjoy going to hotel gyms for the variety (weights/cardio/etc.)or going for a run outdoors. However, I do think it’s a brilliant idea. Some travelers will really benefit from the easy access.