Kiwi Curated
10 Bike-Friendly Hotels
by Darren DunneInexpensive and good for both one’s health and the environment, cycling has never been hotter. The rise in ridership has lead to bike share programs and dedicated lanes, making many cities much easier to navigate on two wheels rather than four. In tune with the trend, innovative hotels are offering bike-friendly amenities and services to help guests better explore their surrounds—be it beach towns or wine country.
At the heart of Western Washington wine country, Willows Lodge offers a scenic and safe venue for cycling. The hotel borders the Burke Gilman Trail, a 26-mile paved path that runs all the way into Seattle. Bike rentals are complimentary at the lodge, and available for check-out through guest services.
Hotel El Ganzo’s waterfront location is ringed by a 3.2-mile bike path with plenty of sights along the way. Rent one of the hotel’s cruiser bikes and venture through a sculpture garden featuring work by three of Mexico’s most respected artists–Jose Luis Cuevas, Manuel Felguerez, and Gabriel Macotela. The path then winds through a botanical park with over 1,500 species of cacti, before taking a swing through Los Cabos Marine Center.
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach enjoys a privileged position along one of the world’s great beach boardwalks, making it a perfect option for a bike-friendly vacation. With amazing weather year-round, renting a bike from the hotel’s beach store is the perfect way to get around and soak up the Southern Californian sunshine. Bicycles are available in all-sizes for the whole family, with rates starting at $12 per hour or $38 for the whole day.
Pictured above, The Chatwal’s distinctive cruiser bikes are available to all guests to rent on a complimentary basis. With Manhattan’s legendary propensity for gridlock, bicycles are the most stress-free way to navigate the city, and The Chatwal’s Midtown location puts guests close to most of the city’s iconic sights.
Nestled on the shores of the tranquil Lough Corrib, Ashford Castle is the oldest castle hotel in Ireland. Located just 45 minutes from Galway by car, the estate is replete with outdoor activities, and cycling is a fantastic way to explore its nooks and crannies. Bike rental is available at the hotel, with a full day priced at €40 per bike. Guided tours around the estate are available, as well as of the stark landscape of Connemara.
Napa Valley’s rolling hills and farmland form the backdrop to the charming Carneros Resort and Spa, where pampering and bliss come standard. This quaint corner of California is best explored from the saddle, and guests at Carneros Resort enjoy complimentary access to rental bikes, as well as a bounty of local vineyards to explore.
New Zealand’s Wharekauhau sits on 5,500 acres of private land that includes ancient forests, languid lakes and rugged coastline. The lodge has made bicycles available to all guests to enable exploration of the coastline, with staff on hand to recommend the best vantage points to soak in the view.
The mountains of Telluride hold treasures galore no matter the season, but in summer they become one of the world’s foremost destinations for mountain biking. Riders of all skill levels will find a trail to suit them, with Lumière Telluride offering a beginner-friendly tour that starts 10,000-feet up at Lizard Head Pass. Custom half-day and full-day routes are also available for more advanced riders.
At The Hermosa Inn, bicycles are complimentary for guests, along with helmets and a helpful map of the local area. Take a spin around the neighborhoods of Paradise Valley and Arcadia, which boast canals, hiking trails, restaurant and shops.
A recent estimate put the number of bicycles in Amsterdam at over 800,000, confirming once more the city’s status as one of the most bike-friendly places on earth. Cycling is ingrained in Dutch culture, and is the preferred method of transport around Amsterdam’s canal-lined streets. Centrally located, De L’Europe hotel helps guests navigate the city with bicycle rental at the front desk.