Photo Credit: Andaz Peninsula Papagayo
From Costa Rica's tropical forests to Central Park at sunrise, these luxury hotels make exploring a destination on foot part of the experience.
I've been running since I was 16, and one of my favorite things about traveling is discovering somewhere new to run. My son, an ultramarathoner and Boston Marathon finisher, inspired me to look more closely at hotels and resorts that put running at the center of a stay.
For me, running is also a way to get to know a destination. Early mornings reveal quieter streets, unfamiliar neighborhoods and landscapes I might otherwise miss. Some of my favorite travel memories have begun with a run.
These eight hotels and resorts range from guided city runs to mountain and coastal trails, with surroundings that make heading out before breakfast something to look forward to.
Photo Credit: Andaz Peninsula Papagayo
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo | Guanacaste, Costa Rica
At Andaz Peninsula Papagayo, a morning run might come with the sound of howler monkeys overhead and glimpses of the Pacific through the trees.
Set within Costa Rica's 1,400-acre Peninsula Papagayo, the resort gives guests access to more than 13 miles of nature trails winding through tropical dry forest and along the coast. Runners can choose easier routes or more challenging terrain, with a chance to spot scarlet macaws and other wildlife along the way. On the coastal stretches, the Pacific slips in and out of view, so no two runs feel quite the same.
During Thanksgiving week, Nov. 23–27, the resort is introducing new wellness programming that combines running, boot camp and kayaking.
Photo Credit: Mohonk Mountain House
Mohonk Mountain House | New Paltz, New York
Just 90 miles north of New York City, Mohonk Mountain House sits above a glacial lake in the Hudson Valley, surrounded by forest, rocky cliffs and miles of trails.
The historic Victorian resort has access to 85 miles of carriage roads and wooded paths, ranging from gentle routes to more demanding climbs. The wide carriage roads are particularly appealing for runners looking to settle into a steady pace, with stretches of forest opening occasionally to views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Some of the steeper trails and rock scrambles are better suited to hiking.
After a morning on the trails, runners can slow down with a visit to the spa, a swim in the outdoor heated mineral pool or a yoga or meditation class. Overnight stays include three meals daily, making it easy to spend the rest of the day enjoying the mountain setting.
Photo Credit: The Cooper
The Cooper | Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is a city worth exploring early. At The Cooper, guests can do just that through the hotel's Run Through Charleston program.
Guided runs wind through downtown and along the waterfront, offering a closer look at the city's historic streets, architecture and neighborhoods. The hotel also offers Ruck Through Charleston, a 90-minute weighted walking experience for guests interested in a different kind of workout.
With Waterfront Park and the French Quarter nearby, runners can easily explore on their own. Back at the hotel, runners can access compression therapy for post-run recovery, while the 24-hour fitness center features an Assault Air Runner and Technogym equipment.
Photo Credit: Claremont Resort & Club
Claremont Resort & Club | Berkeley, California
Running in the Berkeley Hills comes with a reward: views across San Francisco Bay that make the climbs worthwhile.
At Claremont Resort & Club, guests can head directly into the surrounding hills, with mapped routes available through the RunGo app. Turn-by-turn guidance makes it easy to explore the area's neighborhood streets, canyon paths and ridgelines without planning a route in advance.
The Stonewall–Panoramic Trail is a particularly scenic option, climbing above Berkeley to views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge on clear days. Routes range from quiet neighborhood streets to steep hillside climbs, suited to either a leisurely morning outing or a harder workout.
Photo Credit: Cloudland at McLemore Resort
Cloudland at McLemore Resort | Rising Fawn, Georgia
High on Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia, Cloudland at McLemore Resort is a starting point for exploring the region’s wooded trails and rugged terrain.
Five miles of trails wind through the resort grounds, while nearby Cloudland Canyon State Park expands the possibilities for trail runners. The 14-mile Cloudland Connector Trail and the Five Points Trail System, with nearly 20 miles of multi-use trails, open up longer routes through the mountain landscape.
For runners accustomed to city streets and paved paths, Lookout Mountain brings a change of pace, with wooded trails, challenging elevation changes and stretches of mountain solitude.
Back at the resort, Selah Spa and the cliffside infinity pool offer a change of pace after a morning exploring the mountain trails.
Photo Credit: The Pierre
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel | New York, New York
For runners visiting New York, staying across from Central Park is hard to beat.
The Pierre sits at Fifth Avenue and 61st Street, just steps from the park's network of running paths. Guests can circle the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, follow the park's winding roads or take on a longer loop through its rolling terrain.
There's something especially enjoyable about Central Park in the early morning, when runners share the paths with cyclists, dog walkers and other New Yorkers beginning their day.
The Pierre doesn't need a dedicated running program to make this list. With Central Park just outside the door, the pleasure is in stepping out of a landmark New York hotel and joining the city's morning running ritual.
Photo Credit: Thompson Houston
Thompson Houston | Houston, Texas
Houston might not be the first city that comes to mind for a scenic morning run, but the trails along Buffalo Bayou Park show the city from a different angle.
Just across from Thompson Houston, the park has miles of paved trails winding along the water, with bridges, green spaces and views of the downtown skyline. Runners can choose a shorter route along the bayou or follow the connected pathways for a longer outing.
Afterward, the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool and Thompson Spa offer a welcome way to recover.
Photo Credit: Chris Sista
Disney's Yacht Club Resort | Orlando, Florida
Some of my favorite runs at Walt Disney World have been early in the morning, before the theme parks open and the resort areas begin to fill with visitors. Staying at Disney’s Yacht Club on Crescent Lake puts one of my favorite running routes just outside the door.
The paved waterfront promenade around the lake connects the Yacht Club with Disney's BoardWalk, the Beach Club and the Swan and Dolphin resorts, passing colorful resort buildings with views across the water. Runners can extend the route toward Disney's Hollywood Studios for a longer outing.
I've also run the paths at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort many times. In a separate area of Walt Disney World, its three-quarter-mile promenade circles Lago Dorado, with more routes through the resort's landscaped grounds.
It's a quieter side of Disney that many visitors never experience, and one of my favorite ways to begin a day there.
Wherever I travel, I pack my running shoes first. An early run is still the best way I know to discover a place before the rest of the world gets their day started.
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