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Over the past few years, finding a spa in Florida has become
a lot easier. Travelers heading to the Sunshine State for a touch
of luxury and relaxation can find first-class facilities in virtually
every major city. From the Ponte Vedra Beach Resort in northeast
Florida to the Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa in the Florida
Keys, resorts and hotels statewide are offering services that
cater to the spa lifestyle. And the list is growing. Says Sherry
Sciro, President of Spa Finders Media, "One of the big trends
in Florida is that most five-star resorts are opening their own
spas. And these are real spas, as opposed to amenity spas where
you have a few rooms down the hall where you can get a massage,
or there's just a little gym."
First-time visitors should be forewarned, though, that indulging
in a spa is indeed a luxury -- one that can often come with a
lavish price tag. Still, if you're looking for ways to economize
while you revitalize, bargains are available. For starters, buy
a package. Paying for services a la carte can end up being quite
expensive. Also, most spas offer bargains if you go off-season,
so if you don't mind the heat of Florida during the summer, you're
sure to find an attractive deal.
THE SPA AT THE DORAL
Miami
The 650-acre Doral Golf Resort and Spa is the prototypical South
Florida retreat. The palm tree-lined paradise includes a 148,000-square-foot
spa complex, tennis courts, four swimming pools, five golf courses,
a 694-room hotel and a separate spa hotel with 48 suites (each
with its own Jacuzzi). For a pretty penny, guests can try their
luck on the famed Blue Monster golf course, where the Doral Ryder
Open is held each year. Fitness buffs can choose from 25 different
daily exercise classes or work out in the newly redesigned fitness
room overlooking the first tee of the Blue Monster. For guests
bent on relaxation, the spa itself shines. Get lost in one of
its 45 treatment rooms where you can receive any number of wraps,
facials, body scrubs and massages. Amid all the fun, don't forget
the food. The Atrium at the Spa restaurant offers creative spa
cuisine, but for a little extra money, you can dine at the lavish
Windows on the Green, with a beautiful view of the 18th hole of
the Blue Monster.
As if it weren't a ready perfect, the Doral recently completed
a $30 million renovation and expansion, which included adding
two new golf courses, a new pool (called the Blue Lagoon) which
opens Memorial Day weekend, and the refurbishing of all 48 spa
suites.
"Spa Experience Package" double-occupancy during the
spring season (per person, per night): $190 for weekdays; $210
for weekends.
The Spa at the Doral
4400 Northwest 87th Avenue
Miami, FL
305-592-2000
SPA INTERNAZIONALE AT FISHER ISLAND
Fisher Island
It's just a ten-minute ferry ride away from Miami Beach, but
it's practically in another world. Fisher Island, the home of
the Spa Internazionale at Fisher Island, is a private oasis where
guests can slip into pure spa bliss at world-class prices. Built
on the site of a former Vanderbilt winter home, Fisher Island
caters to such jet-setting luminaries as Hillary Clinton and Pete
Sampras, who no doubt enjoy the spa's hydradermie facials (which
help smoothe away signs of aging and fatigue) and the 18 tennis
courts (grass, clay and hard courts are all available).
Overnight guests can stay in the somewhat small guest cottages,
or in the Mediterranean-style villas, or in the more spacious
suites. (If you choose a suite, ask for an ocean view room, or
reserve the VIP Private Suite, which boasts its own massage table
and aerobics studio in-room). The spa itself is a 22,000-square-foot
giant that offers an equally immense number of treatments, ranging
from the simple (herbal wraps and salt rubs) to the ornate (collagen
facials and Cryotonic leg therapies). Exercise classes and personal
trainers are available, and workout rooms thankfully aren't too
cramped with equipment -- a real plus. As for spa cuisine, it's
there for the taking, but you would be wise to partake of the
spa's full-fat menu. After all, if you're going to indulge, why
not go all the way?
Three-night spa package, double occupancy during peak season
(per person): $1,700.
The Spa Internazionale
Fisher Island Club
1 Fisher Island Dr.
Fisher Island, FL 33109
800-537-3708
EDEN ROC RESORT & SPA
Miami Beach
For a glimpse into the idyllic gilded age of South Florida, there's
no better spot than the Eden Roc Resort & Spa. The 349-room
art-deco inspired Eden Roc hotel houses its guests in rooms of
turquoise and lime, with unparalleled views of North Miami Beach
and the poolside cabanas where movie stars such as Frank Sinatra,
Elizabeth Taylor and Ann Margaret used to sun themselves. Currently,
the property is renovating all of its guest rooms and public areas
at a cost of $25 million, with completion expected later this
year. The Eden Roc spa won't be expanded, but even in its present
form it offers subdued luxury in a clubby but relaxed atmosphere.
Day packages are attractively priced, and include the familiar
litany of treatments: European facials; herbal body wraps; aromatherapy
massages, shiatsu and more.
A beautiful and fit South Beach crowd helps to populate the spa
on the weekends, making it somewhat bustling, but there is peace,
quiet and lots of sunshine to be found on the outside upper pool
deck, which unlike the lower pool deck isn't located in the shadow
of the neighboring Fountainbleu hotel. As for the massages, the
treatment rooms are small and a bit dark, so do ask to have your
massage done outside with a view of the ocean.
"Day of Eden" spa day package during peak season, lodging
not included (per person): $215
Eden Roc Resort & Spa
4525 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33140
800-327-8337
THE SPA AT THE BREAKERS
Palm Beach
The newest entrant to the ultra-luxury spa scene is the Spa at
the Breakers, a 20,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor facility that
opened in January. At a cost of $25 million, the Mediterranean-style
complex features 17 private treatment rooms, a four-lane lap pool,
a 1,400-square-foot fitness center, and daily beachside activities
such as Yoga and Tai Chi. The spa was designed to be an extension
of the neighboring 572-room Breakers Hotel, right down to the
crown molding and lighting fixtures, but it's much more than an
extension. The facility is a destination unto itself, with beautifully
landscaped lawns and numerous, spectacular views of the ocean.
Packages are available for the spa itself, or in combination with
the Breakers' two golf courses. One of the most popular packages
is the signature Spa Suite Combination Treatment. The package
offers your choice of three amenities to be performed on you for
two uninterrupted hours, for under $200.
Keep in mind that demand for the brand new spa is running high,
so reservations are recommended well in advance. But with 65 full-time
employees and four spa consultants on hand, you're sure to get
the personal attention you deserve.
Four-day "Indulgence by the Sea" package, spring &
fall season, double occupancy (per person): $1,990
The Spa at the Breakers
1 South County Rd.
Palm Beach, FL 33480
888-273-2537
SPA LXVI
Ft. Lauderdale
The 380-room Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale isn't exactly
a world-famous resort. However, the hotel is hoping to make a
name for its spa, especially now that it has finished an $8.8
million renovation of all of its guest rooms and its health spa
-- Spa LXVI -- pronounced "Spa Sixty Six." Practically
everything in the spa is new: The treatment rooms were redecorated;
the sandstone beige waiting area was redone in a forest green
motif; and the spa's products were upgraded to include Phytomer,
Babor, Sothys and Judith Jackson. The 6,800-square-foot facility
offers eight treatment rooms, two facial rooms, one hydromassage
room, and a wet room for its vichy shower.
The spa also has a newly equipped fitness room, but like most
hotel fitness centers, is small and cramped. The hotel's management
is considering selling club memberships that would include access
to the spa as well as a neighboring golf course. Such a plan would
ultimately make the facility more crowded than it should be, which
would be unfort nate. As it is now, Spa LXVI is a secluded and
affordable facility with a knowledgeable staff that provides the
kind of genuine attention that is sometimes lacking at more expensive
resorts. In a nutshell, it's well worth a visit.
Four-hour "Ultimate Spa Day" package without lodging
or meals (per-person): $185
Spa LXVI
Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six
2301 SE 17th Street Causeway
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 525-6666
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