Global hotel chain announces sportswear partnership

Westin has become the latest global hotel chain to partner with a sportswear manufacturer to keep its guests fit on the road, announcing a collaboration with fitness brand New Balance.

Following in the footsteps of Sheraton with Core Performance, the luxury hotel brand said December 14 that it will provide guests with New Balance sneakers (complete with removable soles for hygiene) and sportswear to use when staying.

In-room exercise programs that include stretching, cardio and yoga will also be developed for guests by New Balance's "Fitness Ambassador" and US celebrity trainer Holly Perkins, along with tips affecting travelers such as ways to combat jet lag and nutrition advice.

On the website developed for the partnership, guests can also download three- and five-mile local running maps of the hotels that are participating, and those traveling to a sporting event such as a marathon will be offered extra amenities such as turn-down gifts with "performance/fuel" goodies for the race and "good luck" wake-up calls.

Ten participating properties (see full details on the website) will be offering the services initially, before it is rolled out brand-wide in 2011.

In October, international hotel chain Sheraton announced a deal with fitness and lifestyle company Core Performance which will see themed workouts, nutritional advice and an online resource for guests rolled out to all of its hotels by the end of 2011.

Fairmont, meanwhile, has a similar deal in place with Adidas, which offers members of its President's Club program rental workout gear when they check in to Fairmont properties.

http://www.westin.com/newbalance