A pretty cool new collaboration has just been announced between Hilton and Peloton. While it doesn’t do anything for me personally, I know others will appreciate this.
In this post:
Pelotons coming to all US Hilton hotels
Hilton and Peloton have launched what’s being referred to as an industry-first partnership. All 5,400 Hilton-branded properties in the United States — from Hampton Inn to Waldorf Astoria — will be getting Peloton bikes before the end of 2022. The number of bikes will vary by property, but there will be at least one bike per hotel.
As it’s described by Hilton, this will provide “guests with a more holistic wellness experience, including access to Peloton’s world-class instructors and expansive connected fitness content.” Hilton’s recent survey suggests that 98% of respondents prioritize wellness activities while on the road, while 90% of Peloton members are more likely to stay at a hotel with Peloton bikes.
In addition to Peloton bikes coming to Hilton properties, Hilton Honors members will have access to a Peloton App trial. Between October 3, 2022, and January 1, 2023, US-based members of Hilton Honors who are first-time Peloton users can receive a 90-day trial subscription to the Peloton App. This offers thousands of live and on-demand classes, all with no equipment needed.
I love this kind of consistency in the hotel industry
While I enjoy working out, I’m not a Peloton user, so personally this does nothing for me. That being said, I really appreciate this development from Hilton. One of my major frustrations with the global hotel chains is just how little consistency they offer, and that seems to be getting worse by the year.
Aside from room design, you see frustratingly little consistency between hotels of the same brand. Since we’re talking about Peloton, just look at hotel gyms as an example. Even for hotels belonging to the same group, there’s huge variance in terms of the equipment at gyms (brands, selection, maintenance, etc.). So the existence of at least one Peloton per property will be one of the few consistent features of Hilton property gyms.
It’s really nice to be able to check into a hotel and know that you’re getting a particular amenity. Stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, this is just about the only thing that will be totally consistent across all Hilton properties. If only we’d see the same with club lounges, elite recognition, availability of coffee, etc.
Bigger picture, though, it’s not hard to make sense of the logic here. Peloton isn’t exactly doing great financially, to put it mildly, so I suspect that Hilton is paying very little for these bikes. Peloton’s stock is up significantly today following this news (though it has plummeted over the past year).
Bottom line
Hilton and Peloton have launched a partnership, whereby all Hilton-branded properties in the United States are getting at least one Peloton before the end of the year. For those who are into Peloton, this kind of consistency is invaluable. Well done, Hilton!
Now if only we’d see this kind of consistency across other aspects of the hotel experience…
To those who like Peloton, will this development impact what hotel you choose to stay at?
I love this. For many of my hotel stays I choose the property based on which has a peloton. I hope Hyatt joins in. I don’t even have a Peloton at home but began subscribing at the beginning of Covid and have kept it up. The monthly fee is less than booking one in person class per month when traveling.
I don't recall how to find properties with peloton. Did you just call each hotels? I doubt front desk even knows what equipment they have.
Ben - I hope you are aware that Hilton does NOT pay for these bikes and forces them and the costs to the actual owners of the hotel. This means less monies for other capital improvements on items most guest will actually use.
So this is where Peloton bikes will go to die.
Never understand why does anyone need to take a peloton bike 'class'. It's not you're there to learn how to bicycle.
People yearn for freedom yet you pay a ridiculous amount of money to get trapped in a room and have an authority figure yell at you so you have a motivation to bike?
Tried one of their Peloton x Delta class from the IFE.
Stupid Peloton content isn't even trying. Ever think...
Never understand why does anyone need to take a peloton bike 'class'. It's not you're there to learn how to bicycle.
People yearn for freedom yet you pay a ridiculous amount of money to get trapped in a room and have an authority figure yell at you so you have a motivation to bike?
Tried one of their Peloton x Delta class from the IFE.
Stupid Peloton content isn't even trying. Ever think those exercises will work in a middle seat coach when there is 2 other real people on each side. It's not spacious like the studio it's filmed in.
If you're not stuck in the middle seat you probably have better options to exercise.
Peloton user and Hilton diamond member so this is awesome as I travel quite a bit. Perfect way to maintain a streak and stay motivated
It is interesting that you mention a variation in brands of gym equipment between hotels as something that frustrates you. I value hotel chains for the loyalty points, but I don't want everything to be exactly identical every single place that I go. That sounds incredibly tedious to me. I am much more concerned with the types of equipment a hotel gym has than what branding it has. That just seems very silly to fuss...
It is interesting that you mention a variation in brands of gym equipment between hotels as something that frustrates you. I value hotel chains for the loyalty points, but I don't want everything to be exactly identical every single place that I go. That sounds incredibly tedious to me. I am much more concerned with the types of equipment a hotel gym has than what branding it has. That just seems very silly to fuss over. And maybe to you it is a victory that Hiltons will be putting in branded gym equipment which comes with an upcharge, but I would much rather have non-branded gym equipment that is free for all guests...
This will be good IF they have a maintenance plan in place.
It's not uncommon for the Pelotons to be beat to hell at hotels that have had them for a while.
How is that different than any other exercise equipment, and say what you want about their business model but peloton bikes are extremely well built and will hold up quite well versus other stationary bikes.
Do you think a Hampton Inn in the middle of Idaho is gonna care about maintaining and repairing their one Peloton bike?
Cue one year from now when over half of these machines will be decrepit, broken and useless
@AG
Yes if they’re a Hilton brand they will maintain the bikes. Hilton must have received a great deal and Peloton is having financial trouble . Wouldn’t be surprised if they make more deals with other hotels or retail companies.
What took so long? Smart move by both companies, even if just 1 per hotel, the PR worth the cost alone. Not a Peloton user but good tie up
Until these bikes offer basic exercise tracking without the app/membership such as time elapsed, distance, calories, etc. I can't see this as consumer friendly. I get the upcharge or membership required to take the virtual classes, but an unguided workout should still be accessible. I'm always surprised that hotels allow this, and it's ridiculous Hilton didn't negotiate better for its consumers.
I use Peloton for free at every hotel that has it. All you need is an account which is free to sign up for. Username and password to use the bike, it's very easy.
I had the same experience as Sel above at a Grand Hyatt that had Pelotons. I wasn't able to use them without a paid account. And, honestly, even if it is only a free account that qualifies, it's still a huge pain to remember your password, give away yet more personal data and log in and out every time, at least relative to get on and go exercise bikes.
Big downgrade relative to old-school dumb bikes IMO.
If remembering a username and password causes you so much pain, you have issues. Guess you keep your money underneath your mattress lmao.
Thanks for the pro tip Alonzo! I thought it required a paid account of some sort.
Sounds like Peloton is grasping for any lifeline it can find, they're certainly not a healthy company these days
@Robert
Yes and obviously they will streamline maintenance and troubleshooting instructions for engineers at Hilton properties.
"Consistency is the spice of life" - Lucky
Very nice, cool to see consistency. Peloton finally making moves in the hotel market where they should have been in the first place instead of the consumer market.
With the secondary market being flooded by used Pelotons, I’m sure Hilton’s getting them cheap!
That’s really cool. I haven’t lifted in 5 days I start to get muscle aches in the middle of the night. I’m currently staying at a random Doubletree in Dubai and they have a decent gym with weights. Im a Hilton Honors fan.
This is nice, Hilton seems to consistently lag behind Marriott in quality of gyms. Stayed in both the JW and Conrad in London earlier this year and the JW gym blew Conrad away.