Fitness Center and Indoor Pool: Hyatt Place Garden City, New York

I have stayed at the Hyatt Place Garden City a number of times. It is on Long Island (Nassau County, New York) and close to my parents’ home so it has always been convenient especially when my siblings and I all converge for holiday visits. I was particularly grateful last month when the hotel’s general manager extended a special rate during the week of my mother’s funeral and the mourning period which followed (see, POST).

Speaking of fitness centers, do you remember the red carpet that used to be in many Hyatt Place fitness centers? On a visit to this same hotel a few years ago, this is what the fitness room looked like:

Boy, what a difference it makes to see the same room now! The refinished flooring is fresher and cleaner than the dingy red carpet!

The hotel 24/7 gym is located on the first floor of the hotel. One wall is mirrored, two have glass windows facing into the hotel, and one wall has windows facing out. Because of the mirrors and glass windows, I never had that creepy, closed-in feeling that some hotel gyms give me. This was open, safe and inviting.

Cardio machines: Two treadmills and three elliptical machines and one recumbent bikes, all made by Life Fitness.

Weights: A set of free weights with one bench.

The machines were good and in working order – I used both the treadmill and the elliptical machine.

This the free weight section. Add a mat and this area also doubles as a stretching area. It would be nice if this wall was mirrored, as people like to look at their reflections to see if they are doing the exercises properly.

There are towels and headphones in the room as well as a water machine. There are restrooms in the hall outside the fitness center.

Overall, I enjoyed using the fitness center for about 30 minutes each morning. I think there is sufficient space in the room for the hotel to add either a rowing machine or a spin bicycle, or both – that would be awesome. On the weight side, I was okay with the fact that there were no weight machines, though I think that a few kettle bells would be a nice addition.

As an added benefit – the hotel also has an indoor pool!

photo: Hyatt Place Website