The Health Club at The Fairmont

I had gotten a massage over the summer from a LivingSocial deal. I was hoping for the best since it is at The Fairmont, but I can always stand for alright. Well the experience did leave a bad taste in my mouth (and nose, I will explain this later).
I am going to start with the good. The facilities were wonderful. It is very pretty walking into The Fairmont. The Health Club entrance was nice as well and the lobby area. The changing/​locker room was very spectacular.
Customer Service was awful from the start. The front desk clerk was rude and couldn’t keep anything straight. She seemed like she didn’t want to serve me, but she was nice to others. So, I don’t know if it was a race thing (she is African-​American, I am Asian), but I am always very nice since I have done work in customer service and know how stressful it can be. It took her a while to find my appointment. Since I was early, I asked about a nail appointment as well. she rolled her eyes at me, let out a big sigh and said, «we don’t have any.»
I took my key and changed into my robe and came out to the waiting area. It was not the best place to wait for your massage therapist. It is very public. Being in just a robe with many people is not most ideal. My therapist, Chrystal, arrived late, and it seems like he had been working out. The massage room was alright. It needs a little updating. The massage itself was awful. Chrystal only exerts pain. I told him to lighten up and he really didn’t. He also had a strong body odor that was very unpleasant and I was unable to relax at all. The worst massage ever. I was in pain for a week. I will not recommend him at all and really think his license (if he have one) should be taken away.
After the massage, I changed and went back to the front desk to check out. At that time, the usual staff was away. The staff that sat in for her was very nice. He was trying so hard to help me, but he shouldn’t have been on that desk at least without some training. He couldn’t find my ID that I left there for the locker key. But, I must say he was very nice. I am sorry that I did not get his name because he did try very hard and would like to give him credit for that. Without the experience of the last person, the review would of have no star. Customer service is very important to me and to have a painful, smelly massage is definitely not a plus.

I was here during the late summer and early fall, so details may have changed since my experience here.
When I learned that my regular gym (GWU’s) was going to be closed for renovation for a stint, I knew I had to find some other place to work out. I was on a very tight schedule, so I was desperate to find somewhere affordable, yet close by. I found an unexpected solution through Fairmont’s Health Club.
Normally, I wouldn’t have been able to afford even half a visit. Whatever the gym membership is, I’m sure it’s out of my financial budget. I saw online that hotel guests could go to the health club for $ 15, so I didn’t dare to imagine how much a visit would cost for a non-​hotel guest. Then appears Groupon. They were selling 5 visits to the Health Club for a mere 25 bucks! The original price listed was $ 125 so this was a steal. The 10 visits for $ 50 were, unfortunately, sold out already. I went ahead and swooped up the 5 for $ 25 deal and off I headed the next week for the Fairmont!
I’ve never worked out in a hotel health club before, so it’s fair to say I might not know lavish from… not lavish, but I was impressed. There was a huge sink area with 3 – 4 sinks, lined with supplies you might use, including mouth wash and small plastic cups should you choose to use mouth wash. The restrooms were clean. There’s a sad-​looking, I-can’t-even-guess-how-old machine that resembles a dryer near the showers, but at least there’s a dryer. I didn’t use the showers so I can’t comment on the water pressure or such. There are lots of dresser-​like areas with various beauty supplies (hair dryer, cotton balls, hair spray, etc.), which seems really handy if you’re going from the gym to somewhere other than home and don’t want to look grungy.
As I walked through the health club, there seemed to be a good assortment of equipment and there were small towels neatly folded in place for one’s use. I was mainly interested in the fitness glasses, so I was pleased that there was a decent selection of classes. My favorite one was Body Pump on Tuesday evenings taught by Tom. He was punctual and knew what he was doing. Body Pump is supposed to be a somewhat «standardized» class in the way it’s taught and this definitely met my expectations.
All in all, I enjoyed my visits here and was disappointed when I’d used up all the visits.
TIP for the economical soul: One-​day passes are available on «Groupon Now» for 10 bucks. The hours the «Groupon Now» is valid are not-​so-​optimal… 1 to 5 PM or something like that. But if you’re looking to go on a weekend, this might be a good fit (no pun intended).

I hope that the Fairmont Spa management reads this review, because it’s going to be brutally honest. The Fairmont purports to be an «elite» hotel brand and charges «luxury» prices accordingly, but its gym and spa facility falls far below that standard.
Nothing is relaxing about this spa experience. You will arrive to a front desk that checks you in, and gives you a locker key in exchange for your driver’s license. It’s a little tacky, as the nicer spas have electronic lockers at this point. But, whatever. Immediately behind the front desk there is a multi-​purpose waiting room with a flat screen TV and a café area with tables and chairs. The TV is on with the volume turned all the way up and top 40 radio music is blasting overhead from the gym next door. This multi-​purpose waiting room also serves as the waiting area for your spa treatment. You are literally sitting in your robe and slippers waiting for your treatment in the same common area as fully clothed guests who are in the common area for some other purpose. There are no snacks, but a small jug of orange-​infused water, tea, and coffee. The room is poorly designed, old, and dank, and its impossible to relax with all of this random activity. (Contrast this with the Mandarin or Peninsula, where you await your treatment in candle lit rooms in your own personal bed.)
Ditto goes for the locker rooms, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, pool, and spa treatment rooms. There are no frills here, folks. Don’t expect plush towels, shower gels, lotions, or other products. Don’t expect glass tiles and mood showers. In addition to being old, having rusted door handles, cracked paint on the walls, run down drab carpets, chipped wooden lockers, and dirty-​looking outdated tiles around the Jacuzzi and pool, I did not find the facility to look very clean. Cleanliness is godliness in a spa, where you are in close quarters with other people’s naked bodies. A spa needs continuous non-​stop cleaning and I did not see that happening. I felt so uncomfortable that I didn’t linger at all after my treatments – I was ready to get out of there!
The treatments themselves were fine, but I will never spa here again unless this place undergoes a massive renovation. When you’re dropping that kind of dough, the facility is part of the experience and you should be able to stay there for hours. If you’re going to pay «luxury» prices, please spend it at the Mandarin, the Four Seasons, or even the W, which despite being a little gimmicky, is at least clean and comfortable.

Loves it! The guy at the Sports Club LA said I would be working out with the AARP at the Fairmont, and I dig it!
Yes, the clientele is older but this gym is luxurious, relaxing, and low key. It’s never crowded, the pool is almost always empty, the locker rooms are spacious and very well kept. Some of the screens on the treadmills are looking worse for wear, but otherwise the facilities are top-​notch.
This is not where the beefcakes come to get ripped, or pick up chicks — and that is just fine with me. I’m intimidated by the intense atmosphere at most gyms, but here I feel comfortable to do my own thing.
I didn’t take any classes, but I wish they offered more variety. How about kettle bells, barre, or pilates classes? Something more intense than Thai Chi or Pilates Stretch would be nice.
Got a one month trial membership through Amazon Deal. Considering joining. They offered me a $ 99/​month package with no sign-​up fees. Apparently it’s ‘normally’ $ 119 a month.

Simply divine! This gym gets its high marks not only for the actual gym and equipment offered but for its lovely accomadations. You really do not need anything but you workout gear and bathing suit.
The facility is clean basically spotless, tranquil, medium in size compared to other gyms.
Pros: the ammenties/​accomadations. The nice locker room, I don’t even consider it a locker room its more of a changing/​powder room. There showers are nice and good space — enough room for your towel etc and sitting. The lockers are tall with hangers and there primping stations within each locker area… with you basic necessties.
The atmosphere is tranquil, with very relaxing music playing, I love to party and get hyped this was a nice change. The clientele tended to be older mostly elderly, and friendly but not social which is a good thing basically everyone clientele, workers and such greeted you and kept it. moving no social hour here.
99% of the cardio equipment had tvs with 20+ plus channels.
The size its not overly big and not to small multi level with enough space for me.
THE GYM itself this is truly a health club not a gym, you not only come here to workout but also to relax with small but gets the job done pool, the oh so bubbling whirlpool, the dry and steam sauna is superb and there is no gym funk, or stuffy smell or air.
Cons: just one old weighing machine (at least the only one I saw in the powder room), a digital weight machine would be nice, the weight knob was not on the promoted kineses machine, so was useless, also an
ab machine I only see the floor ab Aides at least one machine would be nice.
I would def. Be back I went because of the use now $ 10 groupon hopefully there would be more I don’t see me paying $ 25 for one day admittance even for the nice foyer with coffe and citrus water. I would love a membership just really didn’t want to hear the price of a membership (just know I could not afford it lol). This gym is not for everybody but think everybody would enjoy it at least once for the simple fact of relaxing and a change of atmosphere!

I really like this gym! It’s small and only seems to get crowed after work. Still the weight room remains pretty empty. The equipment is all new except for the dated ab machine that is so difficult to maneuver that I just can’t use it.
The small pool is only 4 ft deep yet does get crowded. The whirlpool is pretty popular as well. The locker rooms are so plush, it’s like visiting a spa! The showers are very nice as well. Towel service, shower caps, spray deodorant (horrible don’t advise) and lotion are all provided. If you forget your headphones they have that too. All the cardio machines have TVs on them which is great! I see them wiping down the machines during the day. The staff are all friendly, especially Raquel and Rich.
I love the bodypump class with Lorenta and the Boxing Blast class. Serious calorie burn there!
I had a massage here that was out of this world! They even have Halloween social complete with wine and food! What other gym does that?
What I don’t like is the locker room being vacuuming during the lunchtime rush. I don’t want someone vacuuming next to me as I get undressed. This seems to happen a lot. I have often gotten a locker adjacent to someone else. I assume the locker keys are in numeric order in their drawer, it would be nice if they were mindful not to give adjacent numbers. Also for 2 days a ceiling panel was removed in the locker room which was creapy not knowing who or what was up there. If the workers aren’t working during the day, close the ceiling.

There are as many different kinds of gyms as there are cars. You can go cheap and utilitarian like a Honda Civic, exotic and sleek like a Ferrari Testarossa, or classic and upscale like your grandma’s Jaguar.
That’s kind what this gym is — your grandma’s Jaguar. If that’s your steez, you will LOVE this gym with all kinds of hearts and smiley faces. If that’s not your scene, I’ll probably find you swimming in the endless pool at Vida or getting primal at Results.
I was a member here for about a year and I LOVED it. I’m super picky about gyms and have belonged to several over the years. I know that you have to join exactly the right gym for you in order to get the most out of your membership. If I don’t like a gym, I don’t care how cheap it is or how close to my house, I just won’t go. And I learned the hard way that I hate traditional bleak, smelly, boring gyms.
So I worked out here regularly. It’s more like the basement of a really rich old person than a typical gym.
There is carpeting everywhere, the music is mellow and not that loud, and there will only be at max 15 other people in the entire gym (and that’s A LOT). There is complimentary lemon ice water, coffee, hot cocoa, and tea in the waiting room which has a flat screen you TV you can veg out to post-​work out. You can hook up your ipod to the sound system in the class studios when they are not in session (just don’t get too loud, because this *is* your parents’ gym)
It’s more expensive than other gyms, but you get your money’s worth. They give you keys to your locker and a a change of clothes including socks you can wear IN the whirlpool. You do need a suit for their saline pool (NO CHLORINE!) which is only 1 of 2 in DC (the other is at the equally posh Ritz gym across the street). The locker rooms are nice and the shower stalls are large with multiple shower heads and frosted glass doors (no dinky plastic curtains that remind you of college)
Just remember — this is NOT your typical gym. This is a hotel gym. It’s a «prestige» gym, I honestly do not think they are in it to generate money or clients like traditional gyms. So it’s not very busy and It’s very low key. Most of the other members are senior citizens, their grandchildren, and (travelling) businessmen. Often you see hotel guests with children using the pool. The hotel spa is connected to the gym so sometimes you see people in spa robes before they get their massages. Like Karen M. pointed out, there is no meat market, there is very little socialization that goes on here (if you are outside the target age demographic) but also no attitude.
Personally, for me, it was PERFECT. I lived in Dupont within walking distance and I found the overall experience very pleasant and relaxing. The front desk people are usually pretty polite and more engaged than the average gym receptionist and the on-​duty trainers are there to show you how machines work and suggest exercises for you. They aren’t used a lot but are happy to help if you have a question. I lost weight and kept it off as a member and I enjoyed acting snooty while I was here (just kidding about the last part… I didn’t enjoy it, but I did act snooty, I mean c’mon, look at where I go to work out, people!)
If you want to work out in the equivalent of a rich uncle’s basement, this is your gym!

outdated facility. smelled musty and felt cramped because it is underground. the members were nice, but everyone appeared to be over 70 years old. meh…

What a hidden gem! Part of me doesn’t want to write this, because I’m afraid my new gym will be overrun by other people looking for an alternative to the Sports Club LA. Seriously though, this gym has all of the amenities of SC/​LA (in slightly less space) with no crowds, no «see and be seen» atmosphere, almost unbelievably friendly staff… and it costs less.
How much less? Depends on what your bargaining power was at SC/LA…but even with a discount from my building and weekly emails slashing the SC/​LA prices, the Fairmont still came in at about half the initiation fee and ²⁄₃ the monthly fee. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bargain gym, and it doesn’t try to be.
As an added bonus, if you hate doing laundry, you can get an executive membership with laundry service for less than the regular monthly rate at SC/​LA.
PS: Although my fantastic combination of pale skin and freckles prevents me from enjoying this particular perk, the Fairmont does offer free tanning.

Alright man! This is my first «first» on Unilocal.Awesome. I have to say, I got stoked at the possibility in the middle of my workout this morning. Is that deranged? On to the review:
Yep, bet most of you West Enders didn’t realize there is a health club in the Fairmont. Well there is and it is the best value in the area. The most obvious competitor for «The Health Club at The Fairmont» (THCTF) is the Sports Club LA at the Ritz. I considered both when I decided to join a gym near my HQs. This is a pretty ritzy gym, so I won’t go on and on about the facilities — if I’m comparing it to the Sports Club LA, then you can deduce the quality of the facilities etc. I will list some stuff from their website at the end, I guess.
The whole experience at THCTF is welcoming and professional. The trainers are friendly and helpful despite the fact that I’ve made clear they’ll not see one red cent from me. The other employees are always pleasant and smiling. The entire staff seems mindful of «the little things» and that matters to me. I like the whole mantra of THCTF. This is not a «see and be seen» gym like I perceived the Sports Club LA to be. In this respect, I think it comes down to what your priorities are. I wanted a squeaky-​clean gym that had every facility or amenity I could ever imagine using and service that is second to none.
The only complaint I have is the limited hours of operation. THCTF is open from 5:30 am to 10:00pm on weekdays and 7:00 am to 9:00pm on weekends. There are times I’m too busy to get to the gym at a decent hour or I simply get the urge to workout at midnight. I wish they’d tweak their hours for peeps like me.
The final analysis is easy: for approx 60% of the cost of the Sports Club LA, the THCTF offers almost all the facilities and amenities. THCTF is not cheap by any stretch, but I consider gym membership the same way I consider buying tires for a car or a suit for work: this is not where you cut corners.
Here are the listed classes, amenities and facilities from the website for THCTF:
Facilities & Services:
50-​foot long lap pool
Jacuzzi
Steam room
Dry Sauna in each of the locker rooms
One Racquetball/​Squash/​Basketball court
Lounge area offering sitting area
Workout gear is available (socks, shorts, t-​shirts)
Spacious change rooms with complimentary towel, toiletries, and locker service
Large Exercise room with:
A great selection of Cardio equipment, with personal Flat-​screen TVs
Technogym weight equipment
Large Free Weight Area
Personal Trainers
Large Variety Of Group Exercise Classes
SPINNING and Pilates and BodyPump Classes
Massage Services
Located on the lower level in the Health Club.