In the US, in a bid to reinvent the hotel fitness centre experience for guests, Marriott Hotels wanted a cost-effective solution to update its facilities so as to create a more inviting, flexible, modern exercise environment that would maximise the engagement of their guests.
The hotel chain was keen to offer programs that would effectively and efficiently cater for the varying needs and schedules of individuals, so they turned to long-time technology partner LG Electronics to help them transform their dated gyms into modern workout centres. LG’s solution saw them daisy-chain their digital displays together, which enabled the hotels to create the opportunity to deliver a fully immersive workout experience. To get the most out of these visually stunning digital signage displays, the Marriott partnered with Fitness On Demand to access their extensive catalogue of virtual fitness classes, enabling their fitness-orientated guests to enjoy interactive, high-energy workouts, either in a group setting or on their own.
This cutting-edge set up means that guests no longer need to bring their own connected devices, such as iPads and laptops, to studio spaces to stream content. Instead, by integrating Fitness On Demand’s catalogue of 1,600 popular classes (including on-trend workouts such as Zumba, Beachbody, Jillian Michaels and others), with LG’s cutting edge display and audio technology, Marriott is taking the lead to provide gym-going guests with an elevated health club experience.
And the great news for guests is, there is no additional cost for them to access any of the on-demand services, providing an extra incentive to use the facilities. To further accommodate the individual needs of busy travellers, Marriott provides “solo spaces” within the fitness centre to enable visitors to undertake ‘bite-sized’ 1 to 15-minute sessions, rather than having to participate in a 30, 45 or 60-minute class.
The Charlotte Marriott City Centre’s revamped fitness centre, part of Marriott Hotels’ Innovation Lab, opened to guests earlier this year, and has already experienced a flood of positive results in guest foot traffic and overall feedback, with guests at the Charlotte property comparing the new fitness centre experience to an ‘elevated health club’ workout.
‘We can’t wait to install more LG video walls across more Marriott Hotels locations in the United States and enrich the health and wellness of more travellers,” says Kenneth Ryan, Vice President of Global Spa Operations at Marriott International. “Fitness On Demand and LG are helping Marriott to set the new standard for hotel fitness facilities and reshape the gym experience in hotels and beyond.’
Watch the video below where Fitness blogger, Julie Fagan, shares her favorite parts of the FLEX fitness centre at the Charlotte Marriott City Centre.