If you’re the kind of person who packs your trainers on every trip with every good intention of using them but doesn’t quite make it to the on-site gym, then this might just change your mind. I checked into three very different hotels – each with its own take on fitness and recovery – and came back stronger and more rested than I could have imagined.
LUX* Grand Baie
First up: LUX* Grand Baie, where wellness really does take centre stage. This is not your average hotel gym-in-a-basement situation. The headline act is the unique rooftop fitness zone, nicknamed Muscle Up on the Roof – the first of its kind in the Indian Ocean. And honestly, it’s the kind of place that makes even the most casual gym-goer feel like an athlete. With not one, but two Olympic-standard running tracks looping around the roof, you can jog or sprint with nothing but sky and sea stretching in every direction.
Post-run, head over to the MyBeast functional training frame. This 12-station setup is a fitness lover’s playground, with a power rack, pull-up bar and punching bag. Expect a proper sweat session and just enough muscle burn to fully justify seconds at the breakfast buffet.
If you prefer your workouts indoors and with air con (no judgement), the state-of-the-art fitness centre has you covered. It’s stacked with Technogym kit including six types of cardio machines, and a well-equipped strength area featuring Olympic bars, weights and a multi-power smith machine. There’s also a dedicated indoor cycling studio offering interactive spin sessions with music, visual effects and performance tracking.
The real standout for me, though, was the LUX* Me Spa. Spread across three floors, you’ll find eight high-tech treatment rooms (complete with beds designed to support spine alignment), a peaceful outdoor relaxation garden with a pool, and an entire level dedicated to the hydrothermal bath journey.
Designed around the element of water, this isn’t your typical sauna-and-steam-room offering. It’s an immersive, multi-sensory experience – think waterfalls, mists, jets with sound effects, hot and cold therapy. Plus, a laconicum steam room if you’re not a fan of intense heat. Your muscles will thank you.
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LUX* Belle Mare
Next stop: LUX* Belle Mare and the shift in energy is immediate. Don’t get me wrong – the fitness offering is still strong. You’ve got the same fully equipped, modern gym packed with Technogym kit, but here it feels less about smashing PBs and more about moving well.
The real magic, though, lies in the spa. The LUX* Me Spa is inspired by the five elements – earth, water, fire, air and space – and everything starts with a personalised approach. On arrival, you fill out a health questionnaire that determines which element best reflects what your body needs right now.
I find out I’m an Earth element and my therapist goes on to explain my treatment would focus on grounding and restoring my tired muscles – which, after a few days of enthusiastic workouts, tracked. Using techniques designed to work deep into the body, alongside energising aromatherapy scents of lemongrass and citrus, it’s equal parts relaxing and restorative, and I feel the tension melting away.
And because we’re fully committing to the recovery agenda, I made a beeline for the spa’s hydrothermal facilities afterwards. Sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, cold plunge – it’s all here.
What really sets this place apart, though, is the surroundings. From the minute you arrive, the indoor-outdoor aesthetic nods to nature, with lush greenery and whitewashed décor. The beachfront setting does a lot of the heavy lifting, too. Mornings here feel genuinely special, which makes sunrise yoga on the beach a must.
And if you need a cool-down afterwards, the main pool facing the ocean is hard to ignore. At 22,000 square feet, it’s one of the largest on the island, meaning you can glide through the water while still soaking up those sea views. Not quite a tough workout, but a reminder that fitness doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Here, it’s less about how hard you push and more about how good you feel – and giving your body the recovery time it deserves.
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LUX* Grand Gaube
Finally, the last stop is LUX* Grand Gaube. With the same fitness centre offerings as the other two there’s no shortage of activities to keep up your workouts, but there’s more of a sense of competitiveness here. With four floodlit tennis courts (and coaches on hand for beginners and pros alike) and a dedicated padel court to get stuck into. Or take things to the water with complimentary water sports, including kayaking, paddleboarding and windsurfing – an excellent way to sneak in movement without it feeling like exercise.
Back on land, you could also take a scenic bike ride around the resort, soaking in the tropical views. But if you still want to get your heart rate racing, then the Vitality Parcours takes it up a notch. This 45-minute outdoor circuit training experience, located beneath the shade of the Filaos trees, you’re guided by a coach through a specially designed series of obstacles focusing on strength, cardio and endurance. With outdoor exercise shown to boost immune systems, increase energy levels and improve mental clarity, my weekly central London fitbox class could never compare.
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Verdict
What ties all three hotels together is a clear philosophy: fitness isn’t just about burning calories – it’s about feeling good. It’s the early morning stretch that sets the tone for your day, the workout that boosts your mood and the spa session that helps your body recover. You come back not just relaxed but reset, with maybe a slightly stronger core and definitely a new appreciation for what wellness can look like.
This article by Jade Cooper-Collins was originally published on Women’s Health UK.
