Westin hotels are now offering New Balance (which I love) workout clothes and shoes on lend at participating hotels. This is a very interesting concept. Apparently, you can request clothes and shoes in your size and borrow them for your stay. This way, ideally you save room in your carry on bag because you don’t have to pack workout clothes. Usually when I travel, my workout clothes are the last thing to make it into my bag if I am tight on space, so this may be a great solution for me! Here are the details:
We know that while you strive to maintain a daily exercise routine, it can often be difficult while traveling. Strict carry-on requirements make it harder to pack shoes and apparel creating additional challenges.
Westin has recently partnered with New Balance to provide athletic shoes and apparel during your stay, for a nominal $5 fee. Simply dial Service Express® and request your shoe and clothing size and they will be conveniently delivered to your guest room. Shoes come with socks that are brand new and apparel is provided fresh and clean. Upon departure, simply leave the items in your room in their mesh bag.
I can appreciate the idea as I am an especially light traveller but, I am not sure about using the “lend pair of shoes.” Any thoughts on this, or have you tried the new program? Let me know if you would consider using Westin’s workout gear.
Consider using your Starwood Amex Card for reservations at Westin and put your lended New Balance gear on your card too to maximize points.
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The Weekly Flyer writes about travel from a business traveler perspective. He travels the world every week accumulating points and miles along the way.
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I’ll pass on using someone’s sweaty shoes.
My buddy and I tried this at the Westin in Montreal a month ago, and I thought it was totally worth it! The shoes looked pretty clean and new, the shorts and shirts wee fine. I wish more hotels would offer this option.
Hi Dennis – That was my thought, but it is awfully tough to squeeze in a few suites and work out clothes sometimes.
Hi Fab – Do you remember what kind of New Balance shoes they gave out? Wonder how they clean / air the shoes out?
My first reaction was “eww”.
But then the more I thought about it … haven’t the bowling alleys and skating rinks been doing this for years?
my thoughts exactly, colleen. we’ve been using the same old bowling shoes for eons without incident. i have bowled in some really old shoes and i’m fine. the shoes the hotel lends are in great condition, the last thing either company is going to do is have their reputation tarnished with gross shoes. of more concern should be reused airline blankets and hotel duvet covers that are washed once a month. we need to embrace health and wellness on the road.
Sorry Weekly Flyer, I don’t remember which kind they were; however, I do remember that they looked pretty nice and clean
I run 4-5 miles a day. When I’m done, my shoes are pretty wet from sweat. Nobody else would want to even touch them in order to put them on. I don’t ever remember breaking a sweat when I went bowling.
I’ll pass on used sweaty shoes, shirts and shorts.
As a dedicated runner, I would not wear “loaner” shoes or clothing. However, from those I’ve spoken to, very few people have taken Westin up on their offer, and consequently, the loaned clothing and shoes are brand new or almost brand new.
Keri tried it out and said that they switched out the insoles between shoe-users. She didn’t mention that part in her post, but here’s her experience:
http://www.heelsfirsttravel.com/2012/07/02/westin-rents-workout-clothes-shoes/
Instead of borrowing workout clothing that someone else has used I use Zipolo when I travel. I get my own workout gear (clothes and sneakers) sent directly to the hotel before I check in.
I have used this program. I rented shoes because for some reason only one of my running shoe wound up in my luggage and left the mate at home. It like renting bowling shoe obviously they clean them mine almost brand new looking.