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How to Stay Well on the Road with The Ness Founder Colette Dong
For us, a life well-lived is one that’s full of enriching experiences, movement, and nourishing our bodies with what they crave–Colette Dong, founder of The Ness, is the ultimate embodiment of this balance. We checked in with her to catch up on her recent SmartFlyer-planned trip to Dubai.
Those who know our COO and Managing Partner, Erina Pindar, know that if she’s not traveling, you can find her starting her days with a workout at The Ness. What’s “The Ness,” you may be wondering? If you’ve also been enraptured by the videos of Eva Longoria jumping on a trampoline on a yacht, then you’re more familiar with The Ness than you think. Thanks to the cult workout’s founder, Colette Dong, its TriBeCa haven for movement has now been translated to a digital studio that can be brought with you on the go, no matter where your next adventure may find you.
When it was time for Colette and her husband, Johan, to choose where to spend their honeymoon, a consultation revealed that they wanted the best of both worlds–city, and beach–without repeating some of their previously visited destinations. Taking into consideration seasonality that synched up with their schedules and direct flights from New York, the customization and creativity we apply to every itinerary as necessary as ever.
With the opening of a handful of some of the most exclusive resorts in the world in recent months, we knew just the place: Dubai. In order to create an active itinerary sprinkled with R&R, we wound up designing a split stay between three of the hottest hotels in the Middle East: Babs Al Shams, Atlantis The Royal Dubai, and One&Only The Palm, Dubai. Thanks to our phenomenal partners on the ground, it wasn’t just about early check-in and late check-out (though, we were sure to include those perks, too), but focused on creating memorable moments at every turn.
Check out our sit down with Colette to learn more about what she made of her time in Dubai and tips on how she maintains her wellness routine on the road.
SmartFlyer: How would you describe your relationship to travel and movement in general?
Instead of feeling guilty that I’m not adhering to the routine I have established at home, I use travel as an opportunity to refresh my movement and explore alternative ways of exercise.
Collete Dong: Traveling can be tough if you are trying to stick to a movement routine because typically the point of traveling for enjoyment is to break up that routine that you work so hard to build at home and provide you with new experiences and a fresh perspective on life. Instead of feeling guilty that I’m not adhering to the routine I have established at home, I use travel as an opportunity to refresh my movement and explore alternative ways of exercise.
This could be taking a long walk through an undiscovered city, a hike on a quest for the best views, getting creative with small spaces, or exploring new equipment in hotel fitness centers. I find that traveling also helps reignite my love for the things I do at home. For example, I start really missing my trampoline and the way it makes me feel. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?
SF: How do you ensure that you maintain your workout regime no matter where you go?
CD: I always prioritize movement as my first activity. I find that as the day goes on, you want to make it to breakfast before they close, lay by the pool in peak hours, catch a sunset or go out and explore, so the concept of doing it later never works for me. That might mean getting up earlier than your partner or family, but even if you only put in thirty minutes you are going to feel 100% better every time. I love The Ness digital for this because we have a ton of express options with everything from ten-minute focus classes to half-hour movement classes. Remember that your vacation workout doesn’t need to be the most energy you have ever given, but any movement to start your day will boost your energy levels. Whatever you end up doing, try to break a sweat and get your blood flowing!
SF: Tell us about some fun ways you’ve been able to bring The Ness on the road.
CD: We have a library of over 350 sculpt classes that require little to no equipment so it’s super simple to bring The Ness on the road with our app. You can even download classes for offline viewing in case your WiFi is spotty; this way, you never have to worry about streaming quality. I always do a ness stretch class when I arrive to alleviate any stickiness from the plane or long drives. Then, I’ll do a classic or cardio sculpt class mid-vacation to really break a sweat. Since I own a fitness studio, you might think I wouldn’t want to think or touch work while I am away, but doing The Ness on the road is really grounding for me. I savor the chance to do a class in a new setting with a unique view.
SF: What are the things you look for in a hotel or cruise experience?
CD: My husband, Johan, and I share a love for boutique hotels. It may sound simple, but I’m huge on a well-appointed bathroom. My fellow New Yorkers will appreciate that we can’t quite fit a king-size bed or a tub in our Brooklyn apartment, so those little luxuries make all the difference when checking into a hotel!
When it comes to design, we’re always looking for a cozy and well-curated experience that has character. I’m not one for stuffy formality, but instead prefer places built on genuine hospitality. When traveling, nothing beats connecting with a hotel team member who is willing to tell you a bit about themselves and in turn, makes you feel more connected to a place because you know its people more deeply.
SF: When you’re working with your SmartFlyer travel advisor to plan a trip, what are your non-negotiables to set up prior to departure? What do you like to figure out once you’re on the ground?
CD: Prior to departure, I have to work with our travel advisor to make sure the flight routings and scheduled activities match up with our desired pacing. For instance, if we are scheduled to arrive super early after a red eye, I might work with my SmartFlyer advisor to book a spa treatment on arrival so I know that I’m going to have something to look forward to and kick jetlag, all at once.
At the same time, for us, spontaneity is key. So, at the end of the day, we like to have some activities and dinner reservations made but also like to leave space for exploration. When you create a plan that’s too rigid, you feel like you have to stick to it regardless of how you’re feeling–for instance, feeling pressured to push through another big meal when you are still full. By leaving some free time in between our anchor activities, we can assess our energy levels and see what inspires us.
SF: Any tips on what to avoid while traveling to ensure you feel your best? On the flip side, things to lean into?
CD: If you’re about to get on a long flight, try standing while you wait to board instead of sitting in the waiting area; in general, I avoid sitting for too long and get up several times throughout a long-haul flight to get blood flowing. I typically avoid drinking alcohol before, during, and after a flight because adding alcohol on top of travel dehydration is never a good mix.
Once I land, I begin to drink coconut water and hydrating juices. On vacation, I listen to my body by giving it a break and sleeping whenever and as often as I want! Of course, this is balanced by getting some form of movement in when I can. I also lean into packing sun protection–it’s never fun to get burnt and be nursing yourself with aloe for the duration of your trip.
SF: If we peeked into your carry-on, what would we find? Any recommendations for what we should pack to stay well on the road?
CD: To be honest, you will probably find…a lot. I am a bit of a maximalist when it comes to travel prep, but I honestly do end up using almost everything! Thanks to travel sizes, I’m able to keep my carry-on rather light, though. Here’s a roundup of some of my must-haves:
Supplements for digestion: Hum Nutrition “Flatter Me” offers 18 full-spectrum digestive enzymes to help break down food for better digestion and reduced bloating
A swimsuit: In case your room isn’t ready, you can hit the pool ASAP!
SF: You just went to Dubai on your honeymoon. What surprised you the most about your experience?
CD: I was delightfully surprised at how laid-back Dubai felt. I was expecting it to be very opulent–which it absolutely was–but there was a lot of opportunity for restoration and outdoor recreation. I had a preconceived notion that everyone would be inside the perusing malls all day to avoid the heat, but it was so much more culturally enriching than that. Dubai feels like a mix of some of the best stateside cities like Miami, New York, Vegas, and LA, but without all the chaos.
How did you find your experience in the UAE from a wellness perspective?
CD: As a fitness junkie, I was super impressed by the wellness offerings during our week spent in the UAE. There were options for healthy, fresh, and nutrient-dense foods everywhere we went. Cloud22 at Atlantis the Royal even provided a wellness shot upon arrival which helps nourish your skin in the sun–I always love to see a creative perspective on wellness like that.
Despite the heat, it was refreshing to see so many outdoor activities across the city! From camel rides to water sports, there were ample less conventional options. From my perspective, there’s an opportunity for boutique fitness to blossom in Dubai similar to NYC. I’m looking forward to seeing how that sector grows in the coming years.
SF: Tell us about a recent spa or fitness experience while traveling that left an impression.
CD: The fitness center at Atlantis the Royal was next level. Not only was it expansive enough that never had to wait to use equipment, but it had everything you could ever want. You could tell that guests weren’t struggling to try and recreate their routines with alternatives, but they were just able to just drop into whatever they already do at home. I also really enjoyed the spa at the One & Only the Palm. I prefer a more intimate spa experience and theirs was the perfect size. The massage was phenomenal and helped with some lymphatic drainage. I felt lighter afterward and was able to beat some of the travel bloat, tiredness, and fluid retention.
SF: If you could go anywhere in the world on your next trip, where would it be and why?
CD: Well, one thing is for sure. I’m never piecing together a trip on my own again now that we planned one with SmartFlyer! So, maybe the destination we land in next is in your court? We’d go anywhere your team of experts suggests and trust that it would be perfectly tailored to us.
