While several hotels have incorporated nutrition and wellness into their business model, there are few that have made it their mission…until now. Years ago, it seemed as though health conscious travelers were gravitating towards restaurants that incorporated “organic,” “farm-to-table” and “authentic” into their menus. These days, you will find that most hotel restaurants have adopted these buzzwords, and consumers are searching for more. While we’re all accustomed to the occasional splurge on vacation, the hotels outlined in this feature of THOR Advantage will make any traveler want to stay on track, literally.

Moving Away from the Traditional Workout

Expectations for certain amenities have risen, and having a workout room is very much expected. However, basic treadmills and free weights are anything but exciting. In fact, the newest IHG® lifestyle brand, EVEN Hotels, offers three “workout zones” for travelers. Introduced in 2014, EVEN Hotels has two properties, one in Rockville, MD and one in Norwalk, CT. Both are in close proximity to major locations and business headquarters, including New York and Washington, D.C., and are a convenient choice for business travelers.

Instead of heading down to the workout room, guests can now workout in the comfort of their own room and request a fitness ball. Guests can also tune in to one of the 19 fitness channels on their television, led by Jennifer Widerstrom, coach of the hit television series, The Biggest Loser. Or, download EVEN Hotel’s mobile app, which focuses on various exercise routines. However, if you wish to take a live workout class, you can head over to the Flex Room, where you can choose everything from yoga to spinning classes. If you’re seeking a morning workout, look no further. The Chief Wellness Officer leads daily morning runs for its guests. It is evident that its slogan, “Where wellness is built in,” is the very core of its business.

Whether you’re running through a metropolitan city or alongside a sandy beach, hotels are beginning to redefine the notion of ordinary hotel activities. Located in the Messilah beach district of Kuwait, Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa offers a wide range of activities, several of which are geared toward teenagers. The Teen Scenes Club allows teens to participate in their favorite outdoor sports, including volleyball, beach football and ping pong. Or, teens can head inside and play their favorite video games, including Wii and PlayStation®.

For a more traditional workout experience, The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, offers Technogym® equipment, along with a variety of fitness classes. Located near downtown Los Angeles, The Langham is often described as elegant, picturesque and iconic, as it lies against the stunning San Gabriel Mountains. During your stay, you can explore one of its 11 classes or opt for a personal training session. Classes begin as early as 6 AM and finish with a 7 PM class. Classes include a variety of yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and stretching. Or, for those who would like to take advantage of the California sunshine, there are running trails, tennis courts and swimming pools to enjoy.

Health & Wellness

It’s no secret that major hotel chains have rebranded their strategy when it comes to the idea of wellness. According to Spafinder Wellness 365, hotels are always challenged with the task of incorporating creative tactics to attract the health-conscious consumer. Below are some of the programs various hotels have introduced:

• EVEN Hotels offers guests the ability to order healthy, grab-and-go food straight from their Apple® iPad®.

• Trump Hotels introduced “Trump® Wellness” and “Travel Fit,” which offer guests customized menus, including gluten-free and vegan options. Guests can also request workout clothing and in-room equipment.

• Omni Hotels & Resorts unveiled its “Get Fit Kits” and “Get Fit Rooms” programs, catered towards in-room workout junkies. The Kits include dumbbells, stretch cord, mat and water. For an additional fee, request a “Get Fit Room,” equipped with its very own treadmill.

Along with ordering your meal via an iPad at EVEN Hotels, guests can also request made-to-order wraps/smoothies at Cork & Kale Market and Bar. Focused on delivering “simple, natural and good ingredients,” this market creates customized meals, allowing guests to maintain their routine on the road.

For a more intimate experience, guests can dine at one of Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa’s seven restaurants/cafes, each of which incorporates different flavors from around the globe. Below is a breakdown of its five main restaurants:

• Salt Restaurant - Salt allows seafood lovers to feast on fresh fish and lobster, straight out of the ocean.

• Pepper - If you have salt, you need to have pepper, which is why this decadent steakhouse was introduced. Providing some of the tastiest prime cuts in Kuwait, Pepper will remind you of a swanky, New York restaurant.

• Garden Café - Most of us tend to gorge ourselves at buffets. While you do have the option to do so at Garden Café, you can also include healthy options onto your plate. Live cooking sessions are offered and include healthy omelets. This is an all-day buffet and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Olio - Chef Francesco Picaro brings the Italian flavors to life at Olio. A native of Italy, Chef Picaro creates wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta and incorporates the freshest ingredients of Italy. The romantic ambiance cannot be beat, especially when your view is of the Arabian Gulf.

• Arabesque - If you want to experience the authentic food of Kuwait, head over to Arabesque. Middle Eastern dishes, such as hummus and pita and lamb stew are just a few of the savory dishes served.

Over the past few years, juicing has attracted the likes of those looking for a morning snack or those choosing to detox for a period of time. At The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, guests can take advantage of fresh juice at The Terrace. Fresh pressed beverages are served throughout the morning and feature various types of juices, including:

• Citrus 2 - Pineapple, Apple, Lemon, Mint

• Citrus 4 - Cucumber, Pineapple, Lemon, Coconut, Water, Aloe Vera

• Greens 1 - Kale, Spinach, Romaine, Parsley, Cucumber, Celery, Apple, Lemon

Of course, if you are in need of a cocktail, head over to the hotel’s classic bar, known as the Tap Room, where you can dine on international tapas and sip on handcrafted cocktails. Each Thursday, the Tap Room provides specialty tastings and live jazz music, beginning at 8 PM.

The hotels mentioned continue to innovate, trend-set and inspire. Whether you’re a self-described foodie or health-nut, you can be sure that hotels around the world are catering to “you.” In years to come, we will most likely see technology play a larger influence on wellness and fitness. While we all deserve an occasional splurge, vacationing at one of these hotels will assure that, for the most part, one can stay on track.