One of my favorite things about staying at nice hotels is checking out the hotel gym. There’s something about that unfamiliar space, the crisp towels, and the hum of early risers chasing their quiet victories that fills me with inspiration. On my last trip to San Antonio, I stayed at the Omni Hotel, which shared its gym with the spa hotel across the River Walk. Each day, I’d take a little journey over the charming bridge and up to the 8th floor—my morning ritual in a new city. That gym? It was one of the nicest I’ve ever experienced.
I made it a point to go every day. There’s something so satisfying about using equipment I don’t have access to at home—like a little playground for grown-up goals. I moved slowly and intentionally, grateful for every rep, every stretch. I tried new machines, incorporated movements I hadn’t in a while, and left each morning with a spark in my step. A gym like that is more than just a workout space—it becomes part of the adventure, part of the reason I travel the way I do.
What’s even more beautiful is how this pace—this calmer, softer life I’ve chosen—is what allows me to notice and appreciate these little joys. I’ve let go of the rushing. I plan to arrive early and leave late, not just for convenience, but because it gives me time to settle in and savor everything. That little walk over the bridge, the feel of a warm sun on my face after the gym, even the quiet moments in the hotel elevator—they all feel luxurious in their way.
What I once might have found boring now fills me with the most excitement. Time to myself, fresh surroundings, a place to move my body, and clear my mind—these are the things I genuinely look forward to. Sharing this with you feels just right, because if you ever find yourself somewhere new, don’t skip the gym. You might discover a peaceful kind of magic waiting for you there.