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10 ways to stay active while you're away without compromising on luxury

Do you have clients who love to work up a sweat and get their hearts racing while they're away but don't want to compromise on luxury? Here are 10 ways they can do it.

Do you have clients who love to work up a sweat and get their hearts racing while they’re away but don’t want to compromise on luxury? Here are 10 ways they can do it.

For many people the thought of a fly-and-flop holiday screams boredom, and luxury hoteliers (and cruises) are hearing you, and have jumped on the ever-growing evolution of ensuring guests can take care of their wellbeing without giving up life’s luxuries.

Choose from everything from high-intensity training to polar trekking – and afterwards dine on culinary masterpieces and bed down in a spacious suite ready to do it all again the next day.

Active holidays at Capella Ubud Bali
Getting active with a HIIT weight training at Capella Ubud Bali

HIIT Training at Capella Ubud, Bali

From squatting with coconut weights to sprinting through the rice paddies (main image), Capella’s HIIT training, dubbed G.I. Jungle, combines cardio, power and strength training – and the chance to do it all among lush nature.

Exercises cover all muscle groups and incorporate aspects of military training, sports conditioning, speed, agility and strength, and are designed to push you out of your comfort zone.

Once you’re done, head back to your five-star abode designed by famed architect, Bill Bensley, where ‘tents’ have large private heated pools, outdoor decks with daybeds, indoor and outdoor bathrooms and expansive valley views.

SoulCycle NY
SoulCycle in New York

Spin classes at Equinox Hotel New York

The centrepiece of the Hudson Yards development with stunning views of the city skyline and the Hudson River, this luxury hotel was described by the Wall Street Journal as ‘the fittest hotel on Earth’, thanks to its wellness ethos and gym amenities.

The hotel group owns fitness company, SoulCycle, where you can get your sweat on cycling it out in any number of classes.

Afterwards, return to your room, which has been designed by sleep psychologists to deliver the optimal sleep environment – not that you’ll need any help sleeping after these classes.

Muay Thai boxing ring at Praana Residence, Koh Samui is the perfect way to stay active
Muay Thai boxing ring at Praana Residence, Koh Samui is the perfect way to stay active

Boxing at Praana Residence, Koh Samui, Thailand

The jewel in the crown at Panacea Retreat is undoubtedly Praana Residence, a six-bedroom villa with a private kids’ club, games room and gym where you’ll find a Muay Thai boxing ring.

Here, guests can have private boxing lessons while the kids are well taken care of, and then you can all lounge around in the villa’s private cinema before retiring to your own bedrooms.

Don’t like boxing? Tennis coaches can also be arranged by the villa team, and it has a nightclub for a slightly different take on an ‘active’ holiday.

Polar trekking with Ponant in Greenland
Polar trekking with Ponant in Greenland

Polar trekking with Ponant, Greenland

The benefit of a luxury cruise is that you can land in some of the world’s most remote locations.

Travel with Ponant on Le Commandant Charcot into Greenland and guests who want to stay active can go on a two-day polar trek.

Created in collaboration with local Inuits, guests glide over the ice floe with three Greenlandic guides and stay in polar tents, then afterwards return to your ship with its two restaurants, spa and suites and staterooms with private balconies or terraces to watch the world go by.

White-water rafting with Como Shamghala Estate in Bali
White-water rafting with Como Shambhala Estate in Bali

White-water rafting with Como Shambhala Estate, Bali

White-water raft down the longest and widest river in Bali, which flows beneath Como Shambhala Estate.

This is not for the faint of heart and guests will be bounced among swirling waters, turbulent rapids and sudden adrenaline-inducing drops, but for those seeking a sense of adventure, and who want to step out of their comfort zone, this one is for you.

Back at the resort, head to the spa for a massage in one of the nine indoor treatment rooms, swim in the outdoor vitality pool, or relax in one of the sauna and steam rooms.

Zannier Hotels Sonop, Namibia – Horse Riding Excursion
Horse riding with Zannier Hotels in Namibia

Horse riding with Zannier Hotels, Namibia

Few things beat the feeling of freedom riding horseback among rugged terrain and hidden trails. And at Zannier Hotels Sonop you will never run out of trails to explore.

The property has a sprawling 5,600 hectares of vast desert landscape – home to five Appaloosa horses (known for their spotted coats).

Once you’ve trotted through the ridge of a red sand dune, stop for a steaming cup of freshly filtered single-origin aromatic African coffee, before heading back to the five-star lodge with its 10 luxurious tented suites.

Surfing with MAMAKA by Ovolo, Bali
Surfing with Mamaka by Ovolo, Bali

Surfing with Mamaka by Ovolo, Bali

In the heart of Kuta Beach, Bali you’ll find the only Rip Curl School of Surf in a resort in the world. 

Fully certified and registered, Mamaka by Ovolo X Rip Curl School of Surf is the perfect way to learn to surf, or the advanced can join more challenging ‘surfari’ trips.

Back at the resort, choose a Top Gun Suite, a two-bedroom king room with a private cocktail bar with views of the famed surf break you just rode.

Mountain biking from Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia
Mountain biking from Shinta Mani Wild in Cambodia

Mountain biking from Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

The active experiences at Shinta Mani Wild start the minute you arrive with a 400-metre zipline over the treetops to the reception area, where you’ll be greeted with a welcome drink.

Dotted along the river are 15 luxury tents with hand-picked antiques and an outdoor deck with a riverside tub.

Days can be spent helping anti-poaching patrols, hiking or take out the mountain bikes through a Khmer village, or on a challenging uphill to the Kirirom Reservoir, followed by a downhill sprint.

The best way to rinse off the dirt? Combine a bike ride with an estuary boat expedition.

Arkaba walk from Arkaba Lodge. Image Kirstie Bedford
The Arkaba Walk from Arkaba Lodge. Image Kirstie Bedford

Hiking The Arkaba Walk, South Australia

Traverse the ancient Ikara-Flinders Ranges and the private Arkaba Nature Conservancy in South Australia and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views like these (above).

There are three six-hour hiking days with an ongoing backdrop of Wilpena Pound or the Elder Range, formed about 800 million years ago.

After days hiking, sit around a campfire and dine on chef-prepared meals and end the walk at Arkaba Homestead, a Luxury Lodges of Australia property.

The recently launched 300-kilometre Pekoe Trail
The recently launched 300-kilometre Pekoe Trail

Hike Sri Lanka’s Central Highlands

The new Pekoe Trail Journey, part of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Central Highlands, will see guests hike through tropical forests and walk to views of breathtaking mountain vistas.

Stay at the Relais & Chateaux Ceylon Tea Trails luxury bungalows where you can venture through two of the 22-stage tracks.

The first-of-its-kind hiking trail begins in Kandy before making its way to Nurwara Eliya, passing through Haputale, Hatton and Ella.   

After your walk, return to your private tea-planter bungalow. Choose ‘Norwood’ in the heart of the estate for panoramic mountain views and to watch the tea pickers at work while you sip a cup of the famed tea, or something stronger perhaps?

For more information, visit Capella Ubud Bali, Equinox Hotel New York, Praana Residence, Koh Samui, Thailand, Ponant, Como Shambhala Estate, Zannier Hotels Sonop, Mamaka by Ovolo, Shinta Mani Wild, The Arkaba Walk, Ceylon Tea Trails.