When I arrived at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort for the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association conference last month, I immediately noticed they had all the good stuff covered: comfortable beds, helpful staff, attractive and well-maintained décor. But Loews goes above and beyond in the wellness department. Here are a few things they offer that help visitors stay healthy and fit on the road.
Classes at Loews Coronado Bay Resort
Most of the classes happen in the morning. I braved the early hours for a 7am marina spinning class two days in a row. Staff members line up the exercise bikes outdoors, on the theory that a view of boats will make a grueling class more palatable. It worked! To keep the noise down, we all wore headphones so we wouldn’t wake the slumbering guests with pounding top 40 hits. This worked awfully well, as each person could control his or her own volume knob. The resort sells gym memberships to folks who live nearby, so this is a chance to meet sweaty locals.
I also made it to dockside yoga one morning for a gentler beginning to the day. A yoga teacher named Rosie led us through a nice flow. The thrill of doing yoga on a dock is that you just might get wet if your balance pose goes awry. However, nobody fell in the bay.
Other fitness opportunities
Loews Coronado Bay Resort has a good-sized, well-equipped gym. I dropped by to do 20 minutes of weight exercises. But who wants to plod away on a cardio machine inside when you have Coronado’s weather? Loews is on the skinny seven-mile strip of land called the Silver Strand, which connects Coronado to Imperial Beach. An excellent, perfectly-paved, flat path beckons to runners and cyclists. And it passes right by the entrance to Loews. Or, if you’re in the mood for sand and bare feet, you can take the short underpass to the ocean side of the Strand and beach walk all the way to the Imperial Beach Pier.
Onsite rentals
Unfortunately, I ran out of time before I got around to using this service. But you can rent a kayak and take it out in the bay or hire a bike and ride the aforementioned path to Coronado, Imperial Beach or downtown San Diego.
Sea spa
Alas, I never made it to the Sea Spa, either. But I certainly drooled in its direction as I walked by. A few of the advertised features: spa patio courtyard with jacuzzi, outdoor watsu pool and relaxation sanctuary. I guess I’ll have to come back.
Thank you, banquet staff
Loews is stranded in the middle of the Silver Strand, so vegans can feel at the mercy of what the onsite restaurants have to offer. Fortunately, I’d mentioned on my conference registration form that I preferred vegan meals. And the staff took it to heart. Every time the vegan showed up for breakfast, a member of the banquet staff approached with a covered silver tray containing some combination of potatoes, tofu and vegetables. One morning my quinoa with Brussels sprouts and cauliflower was the envy of all. So if you’re attending an event here and you have a special diet, let them know ahead of time. The banquet staff will take care good of you.