Inside the Next Phase of Hotel Fitness and Wellness with Tony Nicastro
Q&A With Tony Nicastro, Senior Global Manager of Spa & Fitness for Marriott International
Travel no longer disrupts fitness and wellness routines. Guests arrive with established habits shaped by what they do at home. They bring devices, follow apps, and expect their hotel stay to support that rhythm. Fitness has shifted from a basic amenity to an integrated part of the guest experience.
Tony Nicastro shares how Marriott properties are responding to these changes and what hotels need to consider as guest expectations continue to rise.
A Shift Changing Guest Expectations
Guests want continuity. Many arrive already committed to specific workouts, guided routines, or wellness practices they follow daily. Travel no longer signals a pause. It signals adaptation.
This has pushed hotels to rethink fitness center design. Space now matters as much as equipment. Guests need room to move, stretch, and follow digital workouts without feeling boxed in. Layouts are being adjusted to support personal devices, open movement, and flexible training styles. Accessories like bands, kettlebells, and lighter weights in the rooms support this shift and allow guests to stay consistent with their routines.
Updates Driving Guest Engagement
Recovery has become a growing focus across hospitality, especially solutions that work without added staff. Many properties face staffing limitations, which has increased interest in automated recovery options.
Some locations have introduced robotic massage as a self-guided recovery solution. These systems give guests access at any time of day and fit well in properties without spa services. Hotels are pairing these tools with massage guns, stretching mats, and other checkout items that guests can use on their own schedule. This approach expands recovery access without increasing operational strain.
Where Hotels Need to Adjust
Strength training has gained far more importance than in the past. Cardio equipment still sees steady use, especially for quick workouts between meetings. At the same time, guests increasingly expect access to proper weights and functional training tools.
Hotels are reworking layouts to support this demand. Adding duplicate weight sets, expanding free weight zones, and reducing congestion help guests move through workouts efficiently. These changes allow travelers to train with confidence, even on tight schedules.
Trends Shaping the Next Generation of Hotel Fitness
The guest room plays a larger role in wellness than ever before. Fitness and recovery no longer live only in shared spaces.
Sleep has moved to the center of guest priorities. Many travelers track rest through wearables and adjust activity based on how they feel each day. Hotels that support sleep through quiet environments, lighting control, and wellness content help guests stay balanced while on the road. This shift aligns closely with how guests already manage energy and recovery at home.
Looking Ahead
Hotel fitness continues to move toward continuity, flexibility, and recovery. Guests want to feel good during their stay, not reset once they return home.
Properties that support routines across fitness, wellness, and sleep create experiences guests want to extend. That approach builds loyalty and sets a clear direction for how hotel fitness will continue to evolve in 2026 and beyond.
