Eating Healthy, Staying Fit at Starwood Hotels
By: Darren Booth
It can be a challenge to eat healthy while traveling. Starwood Hotels & Resorts recently introduced new programs to ensure road warriors stay in shape and maintain a healthy dietary balance, when staying at their properties.
Color Your Plate by Sheraton Fitnessis the hotel chain's new dining program and an extension of their partnership with Core Performance available at more than 400 hotels worldwide.
"Traveling used to be an excuse for poor nutrition," says Core Performance Founder, Mark Verstegen, whose nutrition and research team developed the new program for Starwood . "Sheraton is now offering an innovative and easy way for guests to enjoy healthy, delicious meals on the road."
The 500-calorie or less meals feature colorful, key nutrients from fruits and vegetables to ensure dining options — whether at hotel restaurants or delivered via room service — provide proper, healthy fuel for the body.
Another Starwood brand, Element Hotels, launched a pilot program at their Miami International Airport property. Here, pedal-powered generators were installed on stationary bikes in the fitness center that create electricity to charge travelers' personal electronic devices as they work out.
"At Element, we're committed to helping guests stay active, healthy and productive on the road," says Brian McGuinness, senior vice president of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. "This initiative perfectly blends these objectives, and were happy to see this pilot make its debut at Element Miami International Airport."
Other unique items the Element brand offers are:
Guest rooms and public spaces designed to be bathed in natural daylight, as mood and productivity are improved in a well-lit environment.
A complimentary healthy breakfast, "RISE," offers options including egg white wraps and fruit smoothies.
Well-equipped 24-hour fitness centers, saline pools and "Bikes to Borrow."
