Expanded #HotelFitnessReview: The Gaylord Texan (Grapevine, TX)

The Atrium of the Gaylord Texan - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training

Location: Grapevine, TX (Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex)

Dates Visited: September 11-12, 2022

Updated: Sunday, March 17, 2024, 7:06 pm

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for reviewing my stay in this specific chain

This is a better way to share my Hotel Fitness Center experiences than posting on IG Live. Sure, I can TikTok, but that needs some practice. Continuing with the Fitness On The Road series, I returned to Texas for filming and had an extra day to explore. I wanted to find a hotel that was nice and comfortable with a fitness center that was blog-worthy.

The Hotel

I decided on a hotel whose chain was on my bucket list to stay in. About ten minutes northwest of the airport was the Gaylord Texan. If you know anything about Gaylord Hotels, they are massive! Their signature feature is the vast atrium that feels like a small village and is themed to the location. Of course, this one shouted, “TEXAS!” A mini replica of the Alamo was surrounded by Western-inspired architecture for their restaurants and shops. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program, I used points to book a one-night stay. Altogether, I paid a little over $125 in resort fees, a breakfast buffet, self-parking, and a round-trip bus ride to AT&T Stadium to watch the Cowboys face Tom Brady and the Buccaneers on Sunday Night. The price was worth it, as a one-night stay in September can start at around $250, not including resort fees or parking. Anyway, you didn’t come here for a full hotel review. This leads me to…

The Fitness Center

The Entrance - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training

From the outside, it blends in with the rest of the enclosed village, sporting a star on the balcony and gas lamps on either side of the archway that adorns a “Fitness Center” sign. Inside, it reminded me of a basement gym but on steroids. You felt at home when you worked out here.

Here is the scale I used to grade these facilities. Note that it’s still a work in progress and will improve as more hotels are visited.

Cardio - 1/1

There’s no shortage of cardio machines here, and they’re of the high-quality kind. Most, if not all, of the equipment, is Life Fitness-branded. From the two rows of treadmills to the six Life Cycle stationary bikes that fit in a small studio space facing one of around five or six televisions mounted on the walls of the gym. There’s also no shortage of ellipticals and even a stair climber and a rower. Did I mention that four Peloton bikes are also present in the facility?

Weights - 1/1

When I usually work out in a hotel fitness room, I expect there to be, at least, a set of dumbbells present. That expectation came from staying at more budget-friendly chains. This, however, is not a budget-friendly chain (unless you used points to book, like me!). Never mind the long row of dumbbells that adorn one of the mirrored walls. Let’s look at the two Smith machines on-site or the area of weighted EZ Curl bars to be used. Not ready to use free weights? Machines for every muscle are yours to use. Depending on your experience level, you have many tools at your disposal.

Other Equipment - 1/1

The biggest non-cardio or free weight tool in this gym is the SYNRGY360, made by Life Fitness. This specific model included two cable towers with attachments, a TRX suspension band, a heavy bag (with gloves), a platform for step-ups or box jumps, and shelves for medicine balls and kettlebells. In my opinion, it’s more than enough for a hotel gym. 

Space - 1/1

When I mention “space,” it’s not just walkability around the gym. It’s the atmosphere and the setting, as well as the decorations and how they fit into the hotel theme. There’s plenty of space to walk around, even with the amount of equipment inside. The wood panels and neutral floor and wall colors bring comfort to your workout like you’re performing exercises from the basement of your own home. Texas is all about doing it bigger, and it sure accomplishes that in its setting. The only concern I had was that there was a corner with just a mirrored wall and a huge gray wall that felt like it needed some energetic wallpaper, but the vast space and comfort outweighed the negatives and kept its one-out-of-one rating for this category.

Amenities - 1/1

I’ve been in hotel fitness centers without water fountains or towels to wipe off sweat. Those concerns were absent. Along with working water coolers and clean towels, at least five TVs were adorned on the walls to watch SportsCenter or the news while you work out. If you forgot them, earbuds are available to use, but these had different covers for ear sizes. That was something unique that I hadn’t seen in other gyms. Finally, if you’re more of an outdoor person or want to run outside, a map of the property with designated trails is displayed near the towels. Did I also mention that there’s a water park on the property?

Criticisms

The Lonely Corner - Christian Pizarro | CP Personal Training

Usually, I would dock points for not having specific equipment. For instance, I was surprised not to see more kettlebells. Only three were present at the SYNRGY360 tower. Also, the bare wall in the corner where a Swiss ball and exercise mats could be decorated more. That’s usually covered with wallpaper of the city or someone running. Again, the large facility had enough space to get around. I should also say that five or six others were working out during my visit, but that’s a relatively high number for hotel gyms.

Conclusion

I post about these facilities to show that no matter where you go, there’s always a way to stay fit and be active, even if you’re busy. It’s a tool to show which brands and places have sufficient facilities you can use without spending more than what you’re spending on hotel rates. The Gaylord Texan is a hotel where business and leisure travelers can stay in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and have a great time. Vacations are meant to be relaxing, but if at some point during your travels you want to get a quick workout in, the equipment-packed fitness center inside the resort is more than enough to get a quick lift or a half-hour Peloton session. 

Again, this gym is as large as SNAP Fitness or Anytime Fitness locations but without the membership fee. Use of the fitness center comes with the resort fee, which was $26 but includes water bottles, internet, and a daily fitness class, among other benefits. Those, alone, are worth the $26.

I would stay here again if the price is right or use points. It felt very calming, especially with a vacancy on a Sunday. Also, it’s the perfect hotel if you want to catch a Cowboys game and pay a fraction of the transportation price.

Have you stayed at the Gaylord Texan or other hotels in this chain? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Gaylord Hotels have properties in Grapevine, TX, Kissimmee, FL, Nashville, TN, National Harbor, MD, and Aurora, CO, with a sixth under construction in Chula Vista, CA.