Best Wellness Program at MVCI Properties

[FractionalTraveler]

What property do you think has the best wellness program?

There was a time when I picked hotels/timeshares for our vacations only based upon location. Today, in addition to location I look for what resort has the best amenities for wellness (e.g. Gym, SPA, Exercise Classes, and Programs).

Interested in hearing from other Tuggers on this topic.

Thanks.

 

[GregT]

What property do you think has the best wellness program?

There was a time when I picked hotels/timeshares for our vacations only based upon location. Today, in addition to location I look for what resort has the best amenities for wellness (e.g. Gym, SPA, Exercise Classes, and Programs).

Interested in hearing from other Tuggers on this topic.

Thanks.

Maui Ocean Club - whenever I arrive, I am overworked and stressed. By the time I leave, I am tan, relaxed and handsome.

Seriously, I do think MOC has good facilities - spa and gym. Better than Ko Olina, Cypress Harbour and Shadow Ridge, which are my only references.

Best,

Greg

 

[TRAVELING FOOL]

When I was at Ocean Watch 3 years ago, there was a great exercise program, with plenty of classes offered and a great gym. There is a Spa on campus at the Marriott Hotel. These were also available in Phoenix at the JW Marriott, which we had full use of.

 

[SMB1]

When I was at Ocean Watch 3 years ago, there was a great exercise program, with plenty of classes offered and a great gym. There is a Spa on campus at the Marriott Hotel. These were also available in Phoenix at the JW Marriott, which we had full use of.

Was at OceanWatch last month. First time I have taken advantage of the wellness amenities. Nice gym and great classes. Yoga then water arobics each morning followed by zoomba or kettle bell class.

 

[Superchief]

We like to work out regularly on vacation, so the fitness centers are important to us. I find the newer weight equipment in hotels and resorts to be more for appearance and less functional for a good workout. Most MVC resorts have good cardio eqpt, some machines and dumb bells, but most lack decline boards and lat bars.

Based on my experience in the last few years, here is my ranking of the facilities at MVC resorts (based on weight training eqptt):
1. Royal Palms (because of access to excellent facility at Marriott World Center)
2. Newport Coast Villas
3. Canyon Villas (small room, but excellent and efficient equipment), also has great Gold Gyms in area; MR platinum members previously had free access to the fitness center and spa facilities, but this has been eliminated
4. Ocean Pointe : was better prior to 'updating' equipment, very limited weight training machines in either workout room
5. Oceana Palms: very limited weight eqpt, no decline board, but at least has dumb bells; should improve when new tower is build
6. Custom House: Limited equipment but ok for shorter stay, who needs cardio when you can walk around Boston

Ko Olina also had a great workout room when we were there shortly after it opened. We haven't been there for several years.

 

[gblotter]

Seriously, I do think MOC has good facilities - spa and gym. Better than Ko Olina, Cypress Harbour and Shadow Ridge, which are my only references.

I agree - Maui Ocean Club is excellent.

The Ko'Olina fitness facilities look nice but very basic. Their machines are rather old and not much variety.

 

[jimf41]

They have nice looking exercise rooms at both resorts that I own, Ocean Pointe and Frenchman's Cove. I don't know if they are any better or worse than anybody else's exercise rooms. I'm one of those people that doesn't use them.

I love butter, beef, bread, potatoes, bacon, eggs, coffee w/ milk & sugar, fast cars, fast women, snorkeling with sharks and stuff like that. I used to like flying things very fast, very close to the ground but the people that let me do that told me I'm too old to do that anymore.

Nobody gets out of here alive. Once I understood that i didn't see there need for exercise machines.

I'm 65. I probably won't live to see 100. But I'm going to have a hell of a lot lot of fun as long as the ride lasts.

 

[Quilter]

Well Jim I enjoy all those food things too (won't comment on the other things you mentioned ). I'd like to keep moving during the time I'm here. And that means exercise.

I have to say I think Ocean Pointe has the best organized activities at any resort because they are conducted by the gals in the activities department who do a good job and it's a bonus that they are free. In the winter when we're there they are well attended.

When we were at Canyon Villas there was an excellent fitness person who was just there temporarily with White Tiger Fitness. She said she's normally at the Wahohai property. She was very upbeat and good at what she did. It was one of the first organized programs I felt really comfortable with and it was mostly because of her personality. We paid for the week's program because that's all the resort offered. It made me appreciate Ocean Pointe's ability to put on a good program without the extra cost.

Planned group activities/exercises aren't the only reason a resort would be a good wellness spot. It could be just as much the ability to play all day that makes it a "fit" spot.

So when I go to a resort the ability to have fun and move is important. I did love the spa at Desert Ridge and it was the driving force behind making reservations at Canyon Villas. We would make a whole day of it. But after this past March I concluded the desert and I aren't best buddies.

I really do like Ocean Pointe for a day of constant movement. It begins with a very good stretch class, water aerobics if you want to join a class but I prefer to swim laps and enjoy exercising in the Kingfish pool. The neighborhood is good for walking. We challenge ourselves to get over the Blue Heron bridge. The fitness room is well equipped. Personally I like to go there mid-day when it's fairly empty to watch my favorite Food Network programs on the elliptical and treadmill. Gets me hyped to make a nice dinner.

Grande Ocean is my next favorite. Or it could be my first favorite, it just happens to come after Ocean Pointe because of weather. Great fitness room. It's the bikes that do it for me. You can go all day on a bike. Time the tides for beach riding, head inland when it's high tide. They keep the lap pool at a nice temp. with posted times for adult swim.

 

[jlr10]

When we were at Canyon Villas there was an excellent fitness person who was just there temporarily with White Tiger Fitness. She said she's normally at the Wahohai property. She was very upbeat and good at what she did. It was one of the first organized programs I felt really comfortable with and it was mostly because of her personality. We paid for the week's program because that's all the resort offered. It made me appreciate Ocean Pointe's ability to put on a good program without the extra cost.

What that Zoey? I took her classes at Waiohai and loved them. (she said she had been sent to Canyon Villas to see what they were doing as most people didn't take the classes but at Waiohai they did. Maybe it was yoga on the grass by the ocean?) Only missed one day of classes, when we were out riding bikes. She, and Greg were so patience, helpful and encouraging that it made the classes so much beter. When I finished the week I found that my frozen shoulder was almost completely limber again and I could lift my legs higher than I had been able to since killer hike on Kauai a few years ago. I thought the gym was a little small and very crowded in the morning at Waiohai, but loved the white tiger classes.

 

[Quilter]

What that Zoey? I took her classes at Waiohai and loved them. (she said she had been sent to Canyon Villas to see what they were doing as most people didn't take the classes but at Waiohai they did. Maybe it was yoga on the grass by the ocean?) Only missed one day of classes, when we were out riding bikes. She, and Greg were so patience, helpful and encouraging that it made the classes so much beter. When I finished the week I found that my frozen shoulder was almost completely limber again and I could lift my legs higher than I had been able to since killer hike on Kauai a few years ago. I thought the gym was a little small and very crowded in the morning at Waiohai, but loved the white tiger classes.

I don't remember the name Zoey. The woman we trained with was blonde and grew up in Atlanta area.

I'm surprised the White Tiger Fitness hasn't been mentioned more often on TUG since she said Canyon Villas owners requested it after their experience at the Hawaii resorts.

 

[jlr10]

I don't remember the name Zoey. The woman we trained with was blonde and grew up in Atlanta area.

I'm surprised the White Tiger Fitness hasn't been mentioned more often on TUG since she said Canyon Villas owners requested it after their experience at the Hawaii resorts.

I am pretty sure that is her. Either way it is a great program. I hope they continue it as I would definately take the classes again.