Thanks to a near constant stream of vitamin D, Florida is a natural choice when it comes to a wellness-minded vacation. And for some R&R off the beautiful beaches, hotel spas around the Sunshine State beckon with spa treatments that deliver a sense of place — in spades.
From a spa happy hour in Fort Lauderdale, where the treatments invoke cocktail ingredients, to rituals in Orlando that weave in the healing properties of Florida honey and citrus, some of the most epic when-in-Florida spa treatments await.
Try a Healing Ritual Inspired by One of South Florida’s First Tribes
Long before Miami was the jet-setting metropolis of today, one of South Florida’s first Native American tribes, the Tequesta, settled at the mouth of the Miami River near Biscayne Bay. At the 25,000-square-foot spa at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami, you can celebrate that heritage by indulging in the Tequesta Ritual — a detoxifying ritual loosely modeled on ancient Tequesta purification rites.
The 100-minute treatment aims to cleanse, purify and balance the body through the application of an algae wrap followed by a detoxifying aromatherapy massage and scalp treatment.
Another favorite Tequesta-inspired treatment is the Path of the Rising Moon, derived from the native word, Bischiyano (Biscayne), which means “favorite path of the rising moon.”
What this translates to in pampering terms is a warming exfoliation incorporating sweet orange and lavender followed by a therapeutic massage using warm Atlantic stones. Pure body bliss, in other words.
Honey- and Citrus-Inspired Treatment in Orlando
Before the theme parks came to town, much of Orlando was crisscrossed by orange groves. And at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, the treatment with the most undeniable sense of place is the Grande Citrus Escape, which calls upon the antioxidant-rich and antibacterial elements of honey from the resort’s onsite apiary and Floridian sweet oranges as key ingredients.
The 120-minute full-body ritual starts with an exfoliation and bath and segues to a warming wrap and scalp treatment that will buoy you with the uplifting aromatherapy properties of oranges. For the icing on the citrus-scented cake (that would be you), settle in for a full-body massage to follow.
South Florida Meets the South Pacific in Bal Harbour
One minute you can be relaxing on a beautiful stretch of beach at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, and the next stepping into your treatment room at the hotel’s Remède Spa for an over-the-top Polynesian Spa Ritual that brings a bit of the South Pacific to South Florida.
Available as an individual or couples treatment, the 90-minute therapy starts with a full-body sugar exfoliation scrub to brighten your skin’s surface and slough away tired skin. A lomi lomi massage follows (the therapists use vanilla-infused oil from Bora Bora and poultices filled with sand to magical effect), after which you’ll very nearly float over to the soaking tub to bask in the afterglow.
Detox, Retox, Repeat at W’s AWAY Spa
A trip to Fort Lauderdale is about playing hard, and the W Fort Lauderdale offers equal parts play and pampering at its new AWAY Spa. The sprawling space offers nearly 4,000 square feet of indulgence in a sleek, colorful setting.
Do your body right with a Bright Detox Elixir shot — offered to guests upon arrival — then settle in for more unwinding with a luxurious lip or eye treatment, or the ultra-relaxing scalp and hair treatment.
Guests looking to get glam for a night on Las Olas Boulevard can indulge in a makeup application at the Glam Station, while visitors on the go can maximize their free time with a Quick Fix express treatment, like a massage, facial or polish change at the Nail Bar. Even the guys are given a nod, with a series of treatments designed especially for men.
Get Gingerific in Miami
A buffet of brownies in the spa area is a beloved staple of the Bliss spa brand. And you’ll find that and other fun touches in the W South Beach‘s outpost of the New York–based wellness company.
But when it comes to one of the top spa treatments at Bliss, opt for spicy over sweet. The Ginger Rub is a 105-minute body treatment and massage rooted in the healing qualities of fresh ginger root, which has both detoxifying and circulation-enhancing properties. Succumb to the serenity as your body is covered with a mix of fresh grated ginger and blended essential oils, after which you’ll be ensconced in a warm foil wrap to soak it all in for 20 minutes or so. A 45-minute massage is the grand finale.
Relax, Rest and Reflect at the Miami Beach EDITION
Should the energetic pace of Miami Beach finally catch up to you, wind down and refresh with a treatment at the ultra-luxe Miami Beach EDITION spa.
Plan an afternoon of indulgence that begins with a Coconut Ritual body scrub, which incorporates the healing rituals of the South Pacific. Therapists use tropical botanicals and natural coconut to exfoliate, nourish and quench your skin.
Or, if the Miami nightlife is taking its toll, try a Detox immersion, which features the EDITION’s signature infrared body treatment followed by a fresh oxygen and aromatherapy inhalation, and capped off with a clarifying antioxidant facial.
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