A weekend trip to Florida can be a wild bacchanalia in South Beach, or, on the opposite side of the spectrum, a totally restorative health and beauty retreat.
The area from Jupiter to Miami is filled with enclaves of serenity. Here are some of the best:
The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach This jewel of a spa at the oceanfront resort has just introduced a new all organic line, Amala. The green products are used in a fruit- and plant-packed Amala Worth Avenue Firming Facial; an elasticity-building “Fountain of Youth Facial’’ infused with clay, cocoa bean and algae; and body treatments including the detoxifying Marine Algae Wrap, which begins with a sea salt scrub, smooths the skin and has anti-cellulite benefits.
Ritz Carlton Eau Spa, the extensive pampering palace at the Palm Beach resort, outfitted with gardens, swings, outdoor tubs, a waterfall massage bench, a custom scrub bar and private suites, is offering a seasonal Pumpkin Perfecting Facial. The antioxidant-rich orange gourd exfoliates and softens the skin; the side benefit is you feel like you’ve indulged in holiday dessert.
The Seagate Hotel & Spa In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Delray spa has gone pink. Menu items include a Pink Lady Apple and Spice Manicure/Pedicure that involves a sugar scrub, pink lady apple mask and a soothing apple cinnamon lotion. In case you aren’t relaxed enough after your foot massage, a pink lady martini is on the house, and 10% of the proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
Acqualina Resort & Spa The ESPA-run oasis at this refuge in North Miami is also honoring the breast cancer fight with a complimentary pink mud scalp treatment to go along with a “pink power’’ massage. Pink tea and rose-scented cookies are served after you unwind and $10 from every treatment goes to cancer research.
PGA National Resort and Spa A golf mecca with its own beauty retreat, the resort is offering a $99 Girls’ Day Out package, only through the month of October. In addition to use of the spa’s waters of the world—six different soaking pools including one with mineral salts from the Dead Sea, and another with salts from the Pyrenees—the day includes lunch and choice of a 25-minute salt scrub, neck and shoulder massage or manicure/pedicure. The spa also features an October Pumpkin Apple Harvest Facial, which includes an aromatic peel and finishes with a warm vanilla moisturizing massage.
Jupiter Beach Resort Just north of Palm Beach, the spa at this hotel with breathtaking ocean views is offering an October special of two 80-minute treatments at $139 each. The Deep Sleep Therapy Ritual begins with a warming foot soak and uses chamomile and vetivert in a relaxation massage. Perfect for dry skin, the warm vanilla latte scrub combines coffee, frankincense and vanilla in a scalp, neck and shoulder massage. On your way out, grab some fresh fruit and dip it in the spa’s fountain that spews warm dark chocolate.
The Standard Spa If you just can’t choose between a wild South Beach getaway and quieter escape, you don’t have to! The chic spa at Andre Balazs’ hip hotel on the Venetian causeway has a marble enhanced hammam modeled on mid eastern baths, and, best of all, Gilt City is offering 40% off day passes, massages and body treatments. Check out the Detox massage or Blue Detox Body Treatment, which oxygenates and fortifies the skin with essential oils and marine extracts.
Photo courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton
