Frits van Paasschen, the CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, best known for hotel brands that include Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and W, exercises six days a week and is bringing his own dedication to fitness to the hotels, according to FOX News.
Van Paasschen took over as CEO in September 2007, and has since been inserting aspects of his very active lifestyle into the hotels. He has completed an Ironman triathlon, which consists of 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling and a 26.2-mile run. Van Paasschen finished it in 12 hours and 44 minutes.
One of the changes has been the menus, which are now healthier and include foods with the goal of improving the well-being of guests, such as green tea, honey, blueberries and kiwis, foods that are shown to help people live longer and some of which have anti-oxidants.
Van Paasschen first began to enjoy fitness when he was seven years old and watching the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City on television.
"I though, okay, I'm going to go out and be in the Olympics and I started running," van Paasschen said. "I realized after a few years there was no way I was going to go to the Olympics, let alone even compete at a high level, but I also just kind of, I just fell in love with doing it."
He later started biking after a gym teacher in his home state of Washington would take van Paasschen's class out for long rides at the end of the day.
Westin hotels now loan guests running shoes and clothing. The newest brand, Element, also lends bicycles to guests.
"The whole idea is that you'll feel better after your stay," van Paasschen said. "It strikes me that more people have the intention of working out than not.
"A run in the morning is sometimes the best way to see a place right, particularly if the rest of your day is booked," he continued. "You end up in some places you wouldn't expect."
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