Demand For ‘Hotels With Good Gyms’ Has Surged 225% With The Rise of Fitness-First Travellers

As we enter an era of wellness tourism, demand for hotel gyms is surging, with global searches for ‘hotel with good gym’ increasing by 255% in the past month alone, and ‘hotel with gym near me’ increasing by 1491% in the last year.

With perceptions of a ‘good’ gym evolving, the gym design experts at BLK BOX are urging hotels to reconsider whether their on-site gyms can accommodate their customers’ evolving needs.

The rise of hotel gyms

Gregory Bradley, Founder of gym design brand BLK BOX, said: “Fitness is no longer something people leave behind when they travel. Whether guests are away for work, leisure, sport, or competition, more people want access to proper training facilities that allow them to stay consistent with their routine.

“That has changed the role of the hotel gym. It is no longer just a tick-box amenity with a treadmill and a small rack of dumbbells. For a growing number of guests, the quality of the training space now influences where they choose to stay.

“We’re seeing more hotels invest in strength and functional training equipment because expectations have moved on. Guests increasingly want access to equipment they would use in a serious gym environment, from squat racks and free weights to SkiErgs, BikeErgs, and dedicated functional training areas.”

Why having a hotel gym is essential for travellers

Carlton Hotel Dublin invested in a comprehensive gym renovation last year in response to growing demand for health and wellness across multiple guest segments—something the previous facility was no longer equipped to meet.

Darren Kearney of Carlton Hotels Dublin spoke with BLK BOX: “For today’s traveller, a high-quality gym isn’t a ‘nice to have’—it’s a deciding factor. Our renovation was about meeting that expectation at a commercial standard, not a hotel standard.

“From corporate travellers and international transit guests to families and increasingly wellness-focused Gen Z audiences, health and wellbeing have become a central consideration in how our guests choose where to stay. It’s particularly evident across the broad middle-market segment, where wellness now sits high within the guest decision-making hierarchy.

“For higher-end corporate travellers, the quality of a hotel gym can be a decisive factor—often carrying as much weight as the room itself.

“This made the decision to renovate our gym a non-negotiable. Our ambition was to create a facility that genuinely rivals those found in commercial fitness environments—and we’re confident we’ve achieved that. The level of interest from the local community, including requests for membership access, is a strong endorsement of the standard we’ve delivered.”

Four reasons why hotels should invest in a high-quality gym

Gregory Bradley, Founder of gym design brand BLK BOX, has shared four reasons why hotels should invest in a good quality gym, improving guest satisfaction and supporting repeat business.

1.Fitness now influences booking decisions

 “Training habits are evolving, and whether people are travelling for fitness competitions, with work, or for leisure, many are now unwilling to sacrifice their regular workouts, even when staying away from home. ”

2.Premium travellers expect premium facilities

“More guests now see training as part of their lifestyle, including when they travel. That has changed what people expect from hotel gyms. 

“A basic fitness room with a treadmill and a few dumbbells no longer reflects how many people train. Guests increasingly want access to proper strength equipment, functional training space and a layout that allows them to train safely and consistently.

“A well-designed gym should feel like an extension of the guest experience — considered, durable and built around how people actually train.”

3.Appeal to corporate travellers 

“Business travel can make it difficult to maintain a consistent training routine. Hotels that provide a well-equipped gym give guests the ability to train properly without having to leave the building or compromise on their usual routine.

“For regular corporate travellers, that level of convenience can become a meaningful part of the guest experience, and a reason to choose the same hotel again.”

4.Wellness is now part of the guest experience 

“Fitness is now part of the wider wellness expectation for many travellers. A well-designed gym gives guests more than somewhere to exercise; it helps them maintain their routine, feel better during their stay and view the hotel as a more complete experience.

“For hotels, that can directly influence guest satisfaction, loyalty and repeat bookings.”