Hilton's plans to get into shape

HILTON Group is launching LivingWell Express, a new gym concept aimed at business travellers staying in its smaller hotels. Hilton is testing the Express club idea in Copenhagen, but is planning to expand it to 40 clubs across Europe over the next three years. It will run alongside its existing LivingWell fitness outlets, Premier and LivingWell Health Clubs.

But unlike these operations, the gyms will not have swimming pools or spas. While the new gyms will initially be based in Hilton's own hotels, the company is also hoping to manage the clubs on behalf of other hotel operators.

Paul Harvey, managing director of LivingWell, said: 'Health clubs are increasingly viewed as an essential part of any hotel product.'