Las Vegas Welcomes the Luxe Gymkhana: A New Era of Athletic Luxury
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The New Gymkhana Opens in Las Vegas: A Luxe Fitness Destination for the 21st‑Century Traveller
In a city that thrives on excess, a new kind of indulgence has just arrived on the Strip: the Gymkhana, a flagship club that promises to combine world‑class athletic amenities with an ultra‑high‑end social experience. The Travel + Leisure feature, published last week, chronicles the club’s opening at the newly‑rebranded Crown Victoria Resort & Spa on 18th Street, and offers a comprehensive look at how a boutique fitness concept originally born in New York is being re‑imagined for Las Vegas.
The Genesis of a New‑Age Gym
The Gymkhana brand first gained notoriety in 2013 when the original club opened its doors in a former garment factory in Manhattan’s Midtown. Described as a “sports‑centric social club,” it quickly became a staple for the city’s elite, offering an eclectic mix of squash courts, tennis courts, a spa, and a Michelin‑starred restaurant. In 2021, the brand announced plans to expand beyond the U.S., and the Las Vegas opening is its most ambitious move yet.
The Travel + Leisure article traces the brand’s lineage, providing a brief history of the original club’s architectural pedigree—its use of salvaged materials, a focus on “athletic luxury,” and a mission to create a community for athletes and their families. The piece links to a 2019 Architectural Digest profile that delved into the club’s design ethos, noting that the space is “a living laboratory for the intersection of sport, style, and wellness.”
A Grand Opening on the Strip
The Las Vegas club is housed in a 15‑story, 300‑room boutique hotel that recently shed its “Grand Las Vegas” name for a more sophisticated identity. The opening ceremony, attended by 500 guests, was a whirlwind of free trials, high‑tech demos, and a “welcome to the Club” reception that highlighted the facility’s state‑of‑the‑art equipment.
Key highlights include:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Indoor courts | 4 squash courts, 2 tennis courts, 1 basketball court (with a retractable floor) |
| Fitness center | 75 m² of cardio & strength training, equipped with the latest “smart” machines that sync with personal fitness apps |
| Spa & recovery | 4 therapy rooms, a 25‑meter indoor pool, a sauna, and a dedicated “athlete recovery lab” featuring cryotherapy and float tanks |
| Dining | A rooftop bar serving craft cocktails, a 24‑hour coffee bar, and an on‑site restaurant helmed by Chef Elena Martinez, known for her farm‑to‑table approach |
| Community spaces | A lounge that doubles as a networking hub, a “mindfulness garden,” and a kids’ play area with supervised activity |
The article emphasizes that the club’s interior was designed by the acclaimed Los Angeles firm Renaissance Studios, which also worked on the original Gymkhana’s lobby. The design choice—rich mahogany paneling, exposed brick, and a vertical garden—mirrors the “retro‑modern” aesthetic that has become synonymous with the brand.
Membership: From Luxury to Accessibility
One of the Travel + Leisure piece’s main focal points is the club’s tiered membership structure. In a city where a “luxury” club can cost $5,000 a year or more, the Gymkhana offers three tiers:
- Elite Access – $3,200/year: Unlimited use of all courts, classes, spa, and the full restaurant menu.
- Athlete Access – $2,300/year: Unlimited courts, unlimited gym access, but no spa.
- Community Access – $1,000/year: Shared courts on a first‑come, first‑served basis, gym access, and 50% off the restaurant.
The article notes that the club also offers corporate packages and a “summer pass” for hotel guests. A link to the club’s official website provides a detailed breakdown of pricing, terms, and a downloadable PDF of the club’s bylaws.
The Las Vegas Angle: A New Market for an Old Brand
While the article’s tone is celebratory, it also takes a critical look at how the Gymkhana brand might adapt to a new market. Las Vegas is known for its “always‑open” vibe, yet the club’s opening is a carefully timed bet on a city’s burgeoning wellness scene. Travel + Leisure cites a 2023 Fortune article that predicts a 12% annual growth rate for “athleisure” and wellness tourism in the region. The Gymkhana’s location—just a short walk from the Strip—positions it as a discreet escape for both locals and tourists looking for a more grounded, health‑focused experience.
The piece also notes that the club’s founders are partnering with the Las Vegas Convention Center to host a weekly “Athlete of the Week” competition, a move that could boost local engagement. A link to the Convention Center’s event calendar shows that the partnership will begin next month.
Community, Culture, and the Future
Beyond the physical facilities, the Travel + Leisure article touches on the club’s community-building ambitions. The club hosts a quarterly “Sports & Culture” series, featuring local chefs, fitness influencers, and athletes. A recent event highlighted a match between a former NHL player and a rising WTA tennis star, followed by a panel on balancing sport and lifestyle.
The article concludes with a look toward the future, noting that the Gymkhana has already filed a trademark for a new “gym‑kitchen” concept—an indoor garden where members can grow herbs and vegetables that are then used in the on‑site restaurant’s menu. A link to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office shows the filing details.
Final Thoughts
The Gymkhana’s Las Vegas opening represents more than a new club on the Strip; it’s a bold statement that wellness, community, and luxury can coexist in a city that’s famous for its excess. The Travel + Leisure piece does an admirable job of capturing the club’s grandeur while providing a roadmap for those interested in membership or simply curious about how a high‑end sports club will evolve in the desert.
With a membership model that scales from elite to community, a suite of amenities that rivals the city’s top hotels, and a partnership with local cultural institutions, the Gymkhana is poised to become a flagship destination for both athletes and leisure travelers. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner, a casual yoga enthusiast, or just looking for a sophisticated place to unwind after a night of shows, the new Gymkhana promises an experience that is as functional as it is indulgent—right in the heart of Las Vegas.
Read the Full Travel + Leisure Article at:
[ https://www.travelandleisure.com/gymkhana-opens-in-las-vegas-11861180 ]