THE FACTS ABOUT STAYING FIT

Exercise: A palates band is an invaluable addition to your suitcase. It's a length of high-strength rubber band that squashes up to almost nothing and yet allows you to work out in your room. You can use it to do "weights" exercises like bicep curls and "pec fly", but you can also do simple stretches to ease away plane-induced aches and pains Swim: Consider choosing your hotel by the length of its pool. There's nothing worse than swimming in a pool that is six strokes from end to end. For a great swim, relaxation and luxury, the London Marriot has the longest pool in london Click here for more details For a something a bit further afield, the beautiful Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa is full of decadence and style, letting you really indulge yourself Gym workout: Most high-end hotels have gyms and often a spa but it's worth checking whether your hotel has a range of equipment that you like to use. Run: If running is your thing, you'll find some hotels in the major cities have jogging guides around the local park such as The Berkeley (www.the-berkeley.com) next to Hyde Park in London. Light-weight trainers: Nike (www.nike.com) and Reebok (www.rbk.com) are among the sports retailers who make lighter trainers for easy packing. Walk the dog: Ask the hotel concierge if they have any unusual ways of getting exercise. The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver (www.fairmont.com) for example, encourages customers to take the hotel dogs, Morgan and Holly, for a brisk walk.