Beauty & Wellness

CREATIVE OASIS

When it’s time for you to get rejuvenated, it doesn’t matter if you have 10 years to hide or 20, we’ve got you covered with our picks for the most creative — and most worthwhile — spa treatments in South Florida.
Text by Kate Benson Photos courtesy of respective spas | July 16, 2018 | Beauty & Wellness

Moon Cycle Treatment
The Standard
40 Island Avenue
Miami Beach
305.673.1717
StandardHotels.com

The Standard Miami is a dynamic modern masterpiece just off the hustle-and-bustle of South Beach. And just like its façade, the treatments at its spa are equally avant-garde. Our favorite is The Moon Cycle Treatment, which caters to the most discerning audiences who want only the highest quality, organic products used on their skin and an experience that connects them to the stars. The Standard uses the Just Pure line of organic products from Germany to refresh your skin in luxury. The line is exclusive to The Standard and is what makes the Moon Cycle so unique, as it detoxifies and regenerates based off the moon’s phases. In order to remain preservative-free, Just Pure ingredients are harvested during the full-moon alone. Each facial is catered toward the exact needs of the client. Every skin type will enjoy the delicious aromas and healing properties of this experience, all of which change depending on which phase the moon is in. To add to the experience, as part of the Moon Cycle Treatment access is given to the hotel’s singing showers, shady swing lounge, ozone pool and Roman waterfall hot tub.

Chardonnay Oil Massage
The Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables
305.913.3187
BiltmoreSpa.com

Renowned the world over for the hundreds of entertainment luminaries, fashion icons, sports celebrities and world leaders that frequent this place, The Biltmore Hotel is one of the favored destinations of the world’s elite. But besides the extravagant accommodations, award-winning golf course and fine dining on site, it is the hotel’s 12,000-square-foot spa on the 7th floor that most locals flock to. And our favorite experience there is the 50-minute Chardonnay Oil Massage. Complemented by Zen-inspired minimalist rock pools, water walls, natural woods and soothing earth tones, the surroundings evoke a sense of a bonafide otherworldly retreat. A striking bamboo footbridge leads the way to the spa’s 12 luxurious treatment rooms, which include wet rooms with hydrotherapy tubs and Vichy showers as well as connecting specialty suites for couples. To extend your stay, add the Chardonnay Ritual to the Oil Massage to get the benefits of a full scrub and bath. Additionally, The Biltmore is developing a special spa suite devoted to those who are particularly interested in having a world-class destination-spa experience. One can only imagine what that will feel like!

The Legend Treatment
Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne
455 Grand Bay Drive
Key Biscayne
305.365.4500
RitzCarlton.com
Aptly named after Juan Ponce De Leon’s search for the Fountain of Youth, which landed him on Key Biscayne, The Legend Treatment is just that, legendary. To start this indulgence off, you receive the Age Zone Facial Treatment using anti-aging and hydration techniques. Utilizing seashore plant extracts and other proven ingredients, the result is renewed, youthful-looking skin. The indulgences then continue on to include the Vie Age Concept Exfoliation Massage that uses Lomi Lomi techniques to gently stretch the body. Next comes the Drainage Massage, with a hydrating body butter scrub. The grand finale comes in the form of a Shiatsu pressure-point treatment on the face and African Reflexology on the feet. The Legend Treatment is dedicated to skin rejuvenation of both face and body and the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne is one of the few places on the planet that does it right. After the treatment, skin glows with a youthful freshness that lasts for weeks. The treatment also offers complimentary access to the spa’s sauna, steam room and fitness center, providing you with everything you need to come out feeling and looking a decade shy of your true age.
The Kundalini Journey
The Mandarin Oriental
500 Brickell Key Drive
Downtown Miami
305.913.8332
MandarinOriental.com
“The concept of Kundalini comes from Yogic philosophy and refers to the energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine. It is designed to help awaken the Kundalini and allow energy to flow through the entire body,” says Catherine Davalle, spa training manager at The Mandarin Oriental Miami. The hotel’s award-winning spa prides itself on its one-of-a-kind spa treatments and the Kundalini Journey is a prime example. This is anything but your typical massage. Combining color, sound, smell and touch, the treatment is really more of a therapy that allows all of your blocked energy to flow freely again. Perhaps what makes the Kundalini Journey such a special experience is the use of semi-precious gemstones which indicate which areas of your body and mind need the most attention. The stones continue on throughout the treatment to radiate healing energies as they are placed in the corresponding chakras while pressure-point therapy and advanced massage techniques are used to release blocked energy and achieve ultimate relaxation. Toward the end of the experience, a ceremonial Tibetan bowl is played and a memento necklace is given as a keepsake to connect the physical with the spiritual long after the treatment is over.