Urban Self-renewal: enjoy state-of-the-art fitness, the latest yoga classes and luxury pampering in these five high-energy cities - Ventureout

Shape, Dec, 2003

Want to combine fat-blasting workouts, centering yoga and posh spa treatments with seasonal celebrations? Head for one of these five fitness-savvy city hotels or resorts. All are located in the heart of town, and each boasts on-site or easy access to everything you need for an urban blast-and-a-half--from high-tech health clubs, personal trainers and gorgeous spas and pools to Pilates, yoga and tons of options for calorie-burning outdoor fun.

New York City

The Big Apple has it all--from holiday entertainment (see the New York City Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center) to simpler pleasures (join the crowds ogling the window displays at Lord & Taylor, Barneys New York and Bloomingdale's).

Stay Affinia Dumont This gorgeous hotel in the city's chic Murray Hill neighborhood has everything you need for a fit holiday, including a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa and a sneaker valet who freshens and cleans your workout shoes daily. There is also a fitness concierge, your one-stop resource for calorie-blasting fitness activities in and outside the hotel; she can even arrange for the delivery of weights to your room (from $224; 150 E. 34th St.; 866-AFFINIA, 212-481-7600, affinia.com).

Sweat City Climbers Club Scale Manhattan's first climbing wall at the W. 59th Street Recreation Center, just a 10-minute cab ride from the hotel. In addition to 11 belay stations and more than 30 routes, the center has a "bouldering" cave where you can practice climbing moves close to the ground without ropes. Day passes are $12 and include ropes, climbing shoes and harness rental plus use of lockers and showers (533 W. 59th St.; 212-974-2250, climb nyc.com/ccc).

Pose Jivamukti Yoga Center An easy walk from the hotel (about 26 blocks, or a little more than a mile), this beautiful and very colorful yoga studio, with Buddhist statues and a small flowing wall waterfall, offers 95-minute Jivamukti-style classes (Hatha yoga with chanting, meditation and music; $17 plus $2 for mat rental; 404 Lafayette St.; 212-353-0214, jivamuktiyoga.com).

Indulge Affinia Fitness Spa Having a spa right at your hotel means you don't have to travel for luxury treatments. Try the one-hour Affinia Fat Burner, which combines a seaweed/algae wrap with a Vichy shower, dry brushing, a scalp massage and moisturizing lotions to minimize the appearance of cellulite. OK, so this treatment doesn't really burn fat, but it's guaranteed to make you feel relaxed ($110; 212-545-5254, affinia.com). Another option: Head 23 blocks north to the uptown Bliss Spa, one of the city's trendiest pampering palaces. Try the Blissage 75, a Swedish and shiatsu massage combo ($120 for 75 minutes; on E. 57th between Fifth and Madison avenues; 212-219-8970, blissworld.com).

Don't miss Ice-skating at Rockefeller Center Just a 15- to 20-minute walk from the hotel is one of the world's most famous outdoor skating rinks. Glide beneath the golden statue of Prometheus or whirl below a live Christmas tree that is more than 75 feet high and covered in more than 25,000 colored lights ($8.50 admission on weekdays, $11 on weekends; $6 for skate rental; off Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th streets; 212-332-7654, nyctourist.com/rock_center_ice.htm). You can't make reservations and the rink can accommodate only 150 skaters at a time, so get there early and anticipate long lines during the holidays.--Katy Koontz

Denver

How did Denver earn its "thinnest city in America" title? Maybe because it's extremely walkable, with a mile-plus pedestrian promenade for a main street. Check out the twinkling displays as you stroll--outdoor holiday lights originated in Colorado's largest city in 1914.

Stay Hotel Monaco Denver This downtown boutique hotel has its own mascot: a Jack Russell terrier named Lily who greets you in the lobby. You can have your own pet here too: Just ask to borrow a goldfish for the length of your stay or bring your own pooch or kitty (from $189; 1717 Champa St.; 800-397-5380, monaco-denver.com).

Sweat Rent a bike It's an easy 12-block walk from the hotel to The Bicycle Doctor, where you can rent a hybrid bike, the best kind for wheeling around town ($15 for a half-day or $20 for any 24-hour period; 860 S. Broadway; 303-831-7228, www.bicycledr.com). With 650 miles of bike paths that stretch as far as 50 miles in any direction, you won't have any trouble finding a great route to cycle. If you forget you're a mile high, though, you'll be puffing as you pedal, so take it easy the first day or two until you adjust to the altitude.

Pose Denver Ashtanga Yoga Center Hop a cab for a 10-minute ride to this popular yoga studio located in Denver's hip Highlands neighborhood just northwest of downtown. Perfect your moves with 90-minute Ashtanga yoga classes ($14, including mat rental; 3390 West 32nd Ave.; 303-964-3454, denverashtanga.com).

Indulge Aveda Spa & Salon Simply wander into the hotel's lobby to find one of the city's best spas. Try the one-hour Self-renewal Facial, a soothing facial using beauty products based on your skin type, combined with foot, scalp, neck and shoulder treatments ($80; 303-308-0524, denverspa.com).