When a business trip to Austin came up, I contacted my favorite Austin blogger for suggestions of where to stay. When she suggested the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa I was afraid the rates would bust my budget, but apparently the world wasn’t beating a path to Austin on the next-to-last Monday in August.
This is part two of my series on Fitting In Fitness Between Flights, and chronicling how I stayed active on my business trip from heck. If you missed it, check out part one here.
I didn’t arrive until 10:00 pm, so my first look at the resort was Tuesday morning, when I made my way to the fitness center. I saw runners coming down some stairs, so I headed up and found the indoor track.
I walked a few laps to wake up warm up, but couldn’t figure out why anyone would want to run with a “view” like the one on left, when the treadmills overlook the indoor pool and golf course.
Since I had run on Monday in San Jose, my plan was to do a strength routine. There was a big weight room with machines, and a smaller (but still big) room with an assortment of free weights.
It was pretty busy with a steady stream of (mostly) men coming in, but I didn’t have any problem getting my workout done. Aside from the woman on the treadmill, I noticed one other woman working out, and several women training men. My guess is that they are members of the club there for their regular personal training sessions.
The fitness center was amazing. In addition to the indoor track, treadmill area, and weight rooms, there was an indoor pool and two big fitness rooms for classes (they offer aerobics, spinning, yoga, and Zumba!). Outside, there were tennis courts, a swimming pool, and the golf course. I wish I had more time to play, but I made the most of the time I had.
When my meeting ended, I had about two hours until I had to head to the airport for my next flight. Instead of triaging work email or putzing around on Facebook, I decided to take advantage of another amenity: the nature trail.
I changed back into workout clothes, refilled my water bottle at the fitness center, and headed out. I expected the nature trail to be a smooth path around the resort, but it was for real!
There were several footbridges over the dried-up creek.
There were steep climbs up the creek bed.
And there were deer!
The whole “hike” only took about 1/2 hour, but it was a nice contrast to the rest of my week in conference rooms, taxis, airports and planes.
[Tweet “Staying Active At Barton Creek #fitfluential #sweatpink #businesstravel”]
What’s the poshest place you’ve stayed at?
Treadmill or indoor track?
Wow, that’s a really impressive fitness center for a hotel. I like that they have an indoor track and that they even provide lap counters. No way could I keep track of 13 laps equaling a mile!
I would lose track after about three laps I think!
That trail looks beautiful. The most posh place probably the St Regis in Bali 2 summers ago. Fitting in fitness on the go can be challenging but can be done!
Bali sounds pretty posh!
definitely treadmill, as much as I do not like the treadmill, I hate indoor tracks. They are just too small. The trail looks like it was alot of fun, I love seeing animals when I run.
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Yeah, the track just looked depressing!
A while back we stayed at the Venetian in Vegas. I’d always wanted to stay there, so it was a real treat. And boy, our room sure was! It was palatial, had blackout screens you could open and close at the touch of a button . . . I actually don’t remember what else wowed us about it but it was a nice room . . . I think we only stayed 2 nights, tho. 🙁
We’ve stayed at a lot of nice B&Bs, too.
And in some real dives as well!
Trying to remember which chain it was in Kauai when it was a business trip for my husband — Hilton, maybe. It was pretty nice and I definitely enjoyed the sushi bar steps from the beach.
We’ve stayed in some nice places, some real dives, and a lot of in between!
The dives help us appreciate the posh places more, right?
what a beautiful resort and you made such good use of your down time! I stayed at a resort in Austin for the Zooma run and it was gorgeous, I would love to go back!
It was a crazy trip – I had to do something for my sanity!
WHENEVER I travel, I ALWAYS make sure there is a gym around – because I am NOT the same person if I do not get my work out in for the day! ha ha.
Ahh! I really want to go to Austin someday! <3 This whole school year is basically going to be stuffed with a whole lot of traveling, so I thank you tons for this post! :]! That's awesome that they had an indoor track!
hmmm out lights are still out if I can get the car out I WANNA GO THERE AND HANG 🙂
and not golf.
I give them lots of credit for the indoor track but yikes! I’m claustrophobic just looking at it. I’d be all over the mill (or outside) instead. Nice fitness center though!