by Angela Fairhurst
Equinox Fitness clubs are synonymous with high quality workout experiences in an innovative environment. Since its origins in 1991, the Equinox portfolio has expanded into several fitness brands with over 135 locations in major cities in the US as well as London, Toronto and Vancouver. Equinox’s innovation has now taken the global brand promise of “the pursuit of excellence and the ultimate high-performance experience” into the luxury hotel space.
Equinox chose the Hudson Yards redevelopment on Manhattan’s west side as the site of its inaugural hotel. The combined hotel and fitness club anchors the cutting-edge development above the city’s rail yards, which also features a “Vessel” structure, a 720,000 square foot shopping mall, four skyscrapers, and the Shed Arts Center. As a future epicenter of culture, arts and culinary experiences, it only made sense for Equinox to locate its hotel and club there as a destination for both visitors and locals.
Using the same philosophy as the Equinox Fitness Clubs, hotel guests are empowered with the tools to simplify their lives where they can seamlessly blend work, rest, decadence and discipline while traveling and living a full life.
The property is set in a plaza at 33 Hudson Yards with 212 keys. The exterior spaces were designed by Ken Smith and the interior spaces by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group to create an enhanced sleep environment customized for regeneration and rest using advanced soundproofing, extreme blackout shades, personalized integrated technology and a proprietary sleep system.
The club and hotel are seamlessly connected using a digital platform, enabling personalized service and removing obstacles from the guest’s journey upon arrival.
Joyce Wang-designed the Equinox Fitness Club and Spa, the largest club in the brand at 60,000-square feet. Hotel guests, who become Equinox Fitness Clubs members for the duration of their stay, have access to a comprehensive movement, nutrition and regeneration experience including signature group fitness classes, a 25-yard indoor salt water pool with hot and cold plunges, personal training programs, and a 15,000 square foot outdoor leisure pool and sundeck featuring Broken Coconut, a health-conscious casual dining concept location offering food and cocktails. The Spa is focused on regeneration using the latest technologies.
Electric Lemon, the hotel’s main restaurant and bar by Stephen Starr and STARR Group, features an 8,000 square-foot outdoor terrace with views over Manhattan and the Hudson River. Executive Chef Kyle Knall’s restaurant menu features light, balanced, and bright mid-Atlantic cuisine. Ingredient driven dishes are designed to balance flavor and fuel and are served in-restaurant, in room or in social spaces.
Equinox Hotels offers an in-room dining program with a focused menu designed around high performance that targets various factors such as time of day and function. From a vigorous breakfast menu, flowing into all day dining, and ending with a sleep well offering, the menu goes beyond food, where guests have access to an in-room, on-demand IV vitamin drip for an extra boost of energy or hydration.
Future Equinox Hotels will be opening in cities including Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago and Houston with several other sites under consideration.
