Can you spot me...on the left in the gray tank and turquoise carpris? That's me, taking a poolside yoga class at the Four Seasons Baltimore. But just to give you a fuller view of what a rooftop yoga class looks like, check this out:
It beats being ohm-ing indoors, especially with the cool breeze off the harbor blowing through your hair.
Earlier this summer, I spent one of the most amazing and healthiest travel weekends of my life at the Four Seasons Baltimore. Quite honestly, I felt like I was hiding out, as if I had taken off for an exotic and faraway retreat. But I was only a 3-hour train ride away from home!
I went to Baltimore, Maryland to appear on WBFF Fox Morning News for a fitness segment. But the real highlight was scoring my room at the Four Seasons for their celebration of Global Wellness Day, which was served up as a full week of fit & healthy activities. Everything was meticulously planned from sunrise yoga classes to 5K runs around the harbor. I was so impressed by their special event calendar and the exceptional menu items featured.
I'm picky about food and usually hesitate over ingredients. But this was not the case here. My only hesitation occurred when deciding to stop and snap a pic before devouring my meal.
Mmm-muesli
Bellissima burrata salad...
And this crab burger!
Even my naughty pomegranate mojito (I barely drink) was so freaking healthy that I said "what the heck" and ordered two.
They might as well have rolled out the red carpet for me. My weekend at the Four Seasons Baltimore was a wellness lover's dream! All Four Seasons hotels have made a dedicated to move to integrate all forms of wellness into their accommodations...and it shows.
If you can afford a night's stay or a short rendesvous at their spa, I highly recommend it. The deep tissue massage for sore fitness lovers like myself is out of this world. Make sure to book Mario Taylor for that, which you can easily do with the Four Seasons booking app. Services to match their new wellness offerings include Reiki, Chakra Balancing and Reconnective Healing. As much as I love energy healing, I was more drawn to the personal Body Jet pools--pretty much a private hot tub with a view!
The Four Seasons Hotels are not the only ones elevating their visitors' experience with wellness. Hotels like the Ritz Carlton in Bal Harbour, Miami are partnering with workout brands that jetsetters and business travelers will appreciate, like Exhale Spa. Last year the W Hotels Worldwide teamed up with famed yogi Tara Stiles to design in-room workouts, stylish wellness gear and live yoga events. With this trend on the rise, I foresee more travelers extending their business trip by a day or two and more people taking "staycations" in their home state.
Above all, these luxury hotels are looking to bring in locals for classes and events. It helps to build a community around their new fitness initiatives. If you're a local, don't be shy. Pop your head into a nearby hotel and find out what's going on wellness-wise. You might be able to score a day-pass when you pay for a yoga class which entitles you to this amazing pool! Enjoy.
