The creators of Esencia hotel in the Riviera Maya have designed an in-room fitness program for guests who would rather not spend their precious vacation time toiling away in a hotel gym.

Originally built as the private estate of an Italian duchess, Esencia is not equipped with a standard fitness center. Rather than clearing the jungle or blocking the view of the beach to make way for a room full of treadmills and stair-climbers, the staff of Esencia took a more innovative approach to help guests get their exercise fix.

A portable gym, complete with Bosu balance balls, resistance bands, free weights, exercise balls and other gear can be delivered on request to the guest rooms, as easily as ordering room service. A fitness concierge is available to assist with set-up and offer instructions and training tips.

Guests that would prefer to feel the Caribbean breeze during their workout could choose to have the equipment delivered to the beachside yoga pavilion or other area of the hotel grounds. Either way, it's a great core workout – without having to go to the gym.

Another alternative for guests who want to stay in shape while enjoying the luxury and style of their room is to order up a Wii Fit game console. With this interactive TV-based exercise system, guests can practice yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance games at their own pace and in the comfort of their own room.

"Our guests care about staying in shape and feeling their best," said Philip Vidal, general manager of Esencia. "Sometimes jogging on the beach just isn't enough, so we wanted to offer other ways for them to stick to their workout routine while at Esencia." The hotel also offers complimentary yoga classes daily, but wanted to add something new and different.

Though the move may seem to buck the trend of bigger-is-better and more-is-never-enough, the hotel's in-room fitness program fits in perfectly with the understated elegance, privacy and luxury that define the guest experience at Esencia.