Bye-bye, French fry benders: How to travel without derailing your health habits

This is branded content for Novotel.

Travel has a funny way of revealing just how fragile our favourite health habits really are, and how swiftly they can be shelved for more hedonistic pursuits.

Maybe it's maturity, or simply a greater appreciation of deep sleep, real food, and a solid workout, but these days the moment my usual routine vanishes, a niggling anxiety sets in.

I worry a little time away will completely derail all my hard work and healthy habits, that I will head into a self destructive spiral, no guardrail in sight, flung off a cliff - Thelma and Louise style - into an abyss of endless French fries, wine o'clock, and lounging around.

Designed to keep you true to your wellness goals while you relax, revive, and actually enjoy your trip, Novotel's new philosophy, Longevity Everyday, ensures that when you pack your bags, your healthy habits come along for the ride.

Novotel's research reveals that one in three travellers is taking daily steps to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, yet most longevity programs remain out of reach for many people. Novotel aims to change that by making longevity practical and achievable for everyone through small, consistent steps that lead to long-term change.

The vision is built on the four pillars essential to longevity: eating, sleeping, moving, and meeting. It's structured on a simple premise that a better life is forged through small, meaningful daily habits.

For health-conscious travellers, it's a total game-changer with the potential to revolutionise how we take care of ourselves in transit. To test the waters, I checked into the Novotel Melbourne Airport for a night to experience how these pillars work to support the traveller on their journey.

Step past the usual airport chaos, and the hotel immediately unfolds as a tranquil sanctuary. The lobby feels like a lush oasis, thoughtfully laid out with green spaces and easy access to whatever an excited, or exhausted, traveller might crave.

At Small Holdings café, you can refuel with a smoothly brewed ST. ALI coffee or try their meat-free Shawarma wrap with shiitake mushrooms. There are also plush seating areas which invite guests to gather, connect, or simply pause to map out their next move.

Boccata Restaurant is in full swing as irresistible aromas waft from the open kitchen's grill. Here, tables of excited holiday makers dine alongside business groups debriefing on the day's wins.

Tonight, I'm diving headfirst into Novotel's new plant-forward menu. Created in partnership with UK-based culinary star Alfie Steiner, celebrated for his accessible and delicious plant-forward recipes, the menu showcases seasonal vegetables in all their glory without compromising on flavour.

Novotel has made it their mission that by the end of the year, at least a quarter of menu options across their restaurants will be plant-forward, giving travellers a great selection of balanced and delicious dishes to choose from.

My five-course vegetarian journey opens with the Salad of Capri: a fresh, crisp plate of heirloom tomatoes, creamy stracciatella, fresh basil, and the delightful surprise of native quandong.

Next comes charred eggplant bathed in a rich passata with soft herbs, followed by an unexpected show-stopper - a bowl of tender seasonal vegetables paired with tangy goat's curd, crunchy hazelnut, and a drizzle of hot honey.

After dinner, I retreat to a restorative, cocoon-like haven designed for pure, uninterrupted rest.

It's whisper-quiet and heavy blackout curtains ensure the room remains pitch-black - an absolute blessing if you need to catch up on sleep at odd hours between flights.

Novotel recognises the importance of a good night's sleep, so the brand is elevating its bedding standards to give you a great night's sleep on a eco-conceived premium bed. So set the thermostat to you, lie back and enjoy.

Hotel gyms are so often banished to dark, uninspiring basements where nobody actually wants to be. Novotel has flipped the script, designing inviting workout hubs packed with light, atmosphere, and variety to encourage guests to stay active even when travelling.

I head to Higher State Wellness Centre where a 36-minute reformer Pilates class in the virtual studio delivers a surprisingly intense workout, leaving me buzzing with energy although slightly nervous for my core muscles tomorrow.

To aid my recovery, I slip next door for a custom massage. Floating away on soothing scents of geranium and lavender, my mind wanders while my muscles completely relax. As I leave, I check out the main gym - it's impeccably appointed with state-of-the-art equipment, complemented by an infrared sauna and a heated indoor pool for the ultimate post-workout soak.

The meet ethos extends to every corner of the property, turning bars, lounges, and activity hubs into effortless places to connect as the brand recognises that social wellbeing is as significant to longevity as physical wellness.

For those who need to get things done, the Aerofoil Workspace offers an enviable office away from home. Softly lit, spacious, and surprisingly intimate, it features hot desks equipped with large monitors and ergonomic chairs to make quick work of emails or reports.

A well-stocked kitchenette keeps you fuelled and hydrated with fresh fruit and drinks, while private telephone booths offer privacy for calls and breakout rooms encourage collaboration. It's the kind of workspace filled with comfort and support that will really get your creative juices flowing, and one you'll wish you could pack in your suitcase.

Novotel also makes family travel effortless with tailored perks designed to take the stress out of trips with kids. Under the Novotel Family Offer, up to two children aged 15 and under stay and enjoy complimentary breakfast when sharing a room with their parents, while families needing extra space can save 50 per cent on a second room.

Rolling out across Novotel's global portfolio of more than 600 properties, the Longevity Everyday initiative proves that staying on track doesn't mean skimping on comfort. Novotel has done the heavy lifting so you can make simple, realistic choices, helping you live better, sleep deeper, move freely, and stay connected, no matter where your travels take you.

If you want to know more about Novotel's Longevity Everyday vision and how it can improve your travel adventures, go to their Instagram page or to the Novotel Longevity website.