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Gone are the days when working out at a hotel meant using outdated machines in a stuffy, cramped gym; today’s top properties are re-thinking fitness as a central park of the guest experience, designing trails, courts, and classes to immerse them in more natural surroundings. From rooftop running in Lisbon to mountain biking in South Africa to playing pickleball in a tucked-away courtyard in Paris, you can break a sweat with a magnificent backdrop without leaving the grounds of your hotel. These 11 sporty stays boast scenic outdoor sports facilities that turn staying active into an unforgettable part of the experience rather than a chore.
Le Club Lacoste at The Dolder Grand
Give your tennis game a serene spin when you play surrounded by forest at The Dolder Grand’s Le Club Lacoste in Zurich. A five-minute walk from the hotel property, the interplay of light and shadow from the trees combined with Lacoste’s green palette creates a verdant and visually arresting backdrop. Open from May to October, the courts are available exclusively to hotel guests, spa members, and members of Le Club Lacoste Zurich community with usage starting at 60 CHF per hour. Make sure to book ahead through their concierge to experience this one-of-a-kind tennis experience where nature, fashion, and sports converge.
Equestrian classes at Fazenda Boa Vista
This state-of-the-art equestrian facility at Fazenda Boa Vista in Brazil is a horseback rider’s dream. Designed by architect Isay Weinfeld, the sprawling equine complex features grass and sand tracks, show jumping, and polo facilities, marked trails across the estate, and stables for 200 horses. Guests over the age of six staying at the Fasano Boa Vista hotel can book a 50-minute riding lesson priced just over $50—an exceptional value given the caliber of trainers and facilities. Many of the instructors are competitive riders, the horses are impeccably trained, and the manicured grounds will leave you speechless. Whether you’re going for a leisurely trail ride or refining your jumping skills, this is an outdoor sports experience you won’t forget.
Challenge Course at Miraval Arizona
Take your sense of adventure to new heights when you traverse Miraval Arizona’s challenge course composed of elevated platforms, a zip line, giant ladder, tightrope, and more. With the Sonoran Desert serving as a stunning backdrop, the course is part of the wellness destination’s outdoor adventure programming and encourages you to step out of your comfort zone both physically and mentally. This experience is only available to Miraval guests (zip line and Sky Island Traverse come at an additional cost) and like all components of the Miraval program the challenge course is designed for personal growth. Early morning sessions are particularly mesmerizing as the calm nature of the desert is juxtaposed against the thrill of soaring to new heights.
Pickleball at Fouquet’s Paris
You wouldn’t expect to find an outdoor pickleball court steps away from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris but nestled inside a courtyard of Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s, that’s exactly what you’ll encounter. Open from May through the end of September, hotel guests play inside the discreet mirrored space, which features Fouquet’s Paris signature red branding. Non-guests can also book the space at a rate of 180 euros per hour for a maximum of four players. After an intense evening session on the scarlet court with friends, players are welcome to extend the fun by enjoying a cocktail at the hotel’s suspended rooftop garden. Offering uninterrupted views over the Parisian skyline, you’ll be moving from one unique space to the next.
Rooftop running track at Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon
Take in panoramic views of Lisbon while running on Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon’s 11th floor track, which loops around the entire building for a truly unique vantage point of the Portuguese capital. On clear days, you’ll spot iconic landmarks like São Jorge Castle, the downtown skyline, and even the distant Vasco da Gama Bridge. The signature blue track is open 24/7 so you can jog or sprint whenever motivation (or jet lag) strikes. For the most breathtaking experience, head up there during sunrise and sunset, when the golden light washes over the city, illuminating its rooftops and winding streets in a magical glow.
Muay Thai at Six Senses Yao Noi
Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand is home to a championship-style Muay Thai boxing ring where you can try your hand at this revered national sport. Challenge your agility, coordination, and speed with one of their trainers as you move through a series of drills breaking a sweat in the humid Thai heat. Framed by tropical foliage with views of Phang Nga Bay, this boxing session merges cultural immersion, adrenaline, and the beauty of nature into one session. All levels are welcome and if after sparring with your trainer you feel it in your arms and legs, a Thai herbal massage is just a short walk away at the hotel’s tranquil spa.
Outdoor gym at Il San Pietro
Running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike goes from dreary to dreamy when you’re surrounded by lemon trees and overlooking the scintillating Amalfi Coast. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Il San Pietro’s leafy outdoor gym where you can do cardio and strength exercises with sweeping sea views from the hotel’s clifftop location. Open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and reserved exclusively for hotel guests, the space is particularly enchanting during sunrise and sunset, when Positano glows and boats drift across the sparkling water below. This workout setting turns your gym routine into something truly unforgettable.
Aqua cycling at Carillon Miami
When it comes to staying active, few hotels offer more exercise options than the Carillon Miami, a wellness- and sports-oriented resort where activity is the focus of your stay. There are reformer Pilates classes, an indoor climbing wall, but the outdoor pool-based aqua cycling class is where it’s really at. Located in the rooftop pool, you’ll enjoy views of Miami Beach and the Atlantic Ocean while you pedal away in a class that’s challenging yet easy on your joints. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, you’ll soak up the sun (wear sunscreen) while you get your heart rate going on your in-water stationary bike.
Tennis at Épi Baie de Pampelonne
The South of France is not just about beach clubs and sceney restaurants—you can also have a sports-filled stay here. Épi Baie de Pampelonne in Ramatuelle offers a wide array of activities ranging from paddleboarding (the hotel is steps away from the beach) to riding electric bikes, but playing tennis is a must while you’re here. Open May through September, two synthetic clay courts surrounded by pine trees beckon you to practice your backhand. Hotel guests can book private lessons (180 €) or court rentals (90 €) playing under the Mediterranean sun in style. After your match, you can pick up some pieces from the chic pro shop to remember your Côte d’Azur game, and lounge on one of the hotel’s pink pool chairs.
Mountain biking at Cathedral Peak Hotel
Enjoy rugged trails and spectacular views of South Africa’s Drakensberg when you mountain bike on one of Cathedral Peak Hotel’s on-site paths. There are gentle single tracks for novices or if you’re a seasoned mountain biker, you’ll want to ascend Mike’s Pass, a panoramic 22-kilometer loop clearing 480 meters of elevation gain. Jaw-dropping views await as the terrain shifts from gravel roads to wild mountain paths and you soak up the surrounding high altitude natural beauty. A year-round complimentary amenity for hotel guests, the sense of scale and adventure is particularly breathtaking in the early morning when the soft light illuminates the Cathedral Peak range and the crisp air offers the perfect biking temperature.
Archery at Anantara Kalutara
Take a shot at one of the world’s oldest and noblest sports, archery, when you stay at Anantara Kalutara in Sri Lanka. Open year-round during daylight hours, both hotel guests and outside visitors can learn how to handle a bow and arrow practicing on static targets that are set further away as your aim improves. Surrounded by the lush greenery of the resort and overlooking a lagoon, this activity is the perfect blend of physical fitness and mental focus. Hitting your targets underneath palm trees is particularly magical during sunset golden hour with the Indian Ocean breeze cooling you off as the arrows fly through the air.
