Taking it all out: there's nothing quite like executive stress to take a toll on everything from your muscles to your face. When you don't have much time for relaxation, a trip to one of South Florida's spas can make you look and feel like you've had a long getaway. We begin this month the first in a series of reports on the region's top spas - The Spa Life

South Florida CEO, March, 2004 by Rochelle Broder-Singer

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Spa in the City

The Mandarin Oriental, Miami, situated just off downtown Miami on Brickell Key, offers an Asian-styled modern retreat with views of the city. We had the pleasure of staying overnight at the hotel as part of a couples spa getaway; the sleek modern room came complete with deep bathtub for two, marble shower, living room area separate from the bedroom, and a balcony that offered spectacular views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay.

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This is not the place to go if your idea of rejuvenation involves totally unplugging from anything that reminds you of work. The Mandarin knows full well that it is an urban retreat, and the AAA Five Diamond hotel's spa embraces that fact.

One of the spa's unique features is that several of its treatment rooms, rather than seclude you in near-darkness with no natural light, offer floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city and bay. We selected one of those rooms--the Couples' Suite--for our treatment.

As soon as we walked through the door of the spa, we were given sandals and asked to remove our shoes. The sound of falling water filled the entry room. The Mandarin doesn't offer plunge pools or whirlpools as part of its spa (although the hotel pool and whirlpool are just outside), and its waiting area is small and formal. Still, a mini waterfall, sauna and steam room set the mood. The Couples' Suite finished the job; it was impressive, with a private shower, the aforementioned view and room enough for two guests and two therapists to not feel crowded.

Our treatment began with the Mandarin's signature welcoming foot ritual. As we sat in overstuffed chairs, gazing out at Miami in its full morning glory, one therapist knelt at each of our feet, pouring water, oils, salts and flower petals over our feet, bathing them with a gentle massage. It was a short ritual, but clearly marked our passage out of the rat-race. As we prepared for our Salt and Oil Scrub body treatment, the therapists asked us whether we wanted a relaxing, soothing or energizing aromatherapy. Having options was a refreshing change. As it was early morning, and we actually had plans after our spa session, we both opted for energizing essential oils. Once we'd selected energizing, the therapists gave us each three choices of different scents. This little touch was much appreciated; there are few things more disappointing after a great spa treatment than having to shower afterwards because you don't like the way you smell.

After the invigorating scrub, we rinsed off in our private shower (many of the suites also have bathtubs), and each had our own massage. My husband opted for a deep-tissue massage (these types of massages, often called sports massages, are especially popular with men). The spry therapist did everything from stretch his limbs to walk on his back--sometimes both at the same time. Despite some initial nervousness, he relaxed enough to nearly fall asleep (in spite of the energizing essential oils that were used). The feeling can be likened to a good workout. "It hurt while she did it, but boy does it feel good now," he said afterwards.

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I opted for the Mandarin Hot Stone Therapy massage. With a subtler approach than at some other spas, the Mandarin therapy used the stones more for warming up the muscles than for the actual massaging. The therapist then worked my muscles more deeply than a traditional Swedish massage, although no climbing on me was required.

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Both treatments finished with scalp massages--a particularly nice way to end the experience. We spent a few minutes relaxing in the room, enjoying the view of the city, the sun by then shining brightly overhead. As promised, we left the Mandarin spa feeling rejuvenated and energized, ready to enjoy the peak of a sunny Miami day.

www.mandarinoriental.com

305-913-8332

The Bonaventure Resort & Spa, Weston

Relaxed and Clubby

Nestled in a verdant area near Weston, the Bonaventure Resort & Spa is far enough outside of South Florida's major downtowns to make you feel as though you're truly getting away, but close enough to major highways that getting there doesn't stress you further. Although this spa is hardly the most posh in South Florida, it has the most comfortable environment, and the most spacious, well-equipped "pretreatment" areas of any of the spas we visited. At 31,000 square feet, with 50 fulltime and 25 part-time staffers, it is definitely one of South Florida's largest.

With the exception of the gym and aerobics studios, men and women have totally separate areas, including single-gender locker rooms, sauna and steam rooms, indoor hot and cold plunge pools, showers, outdoor whirlpools, outdoor lap pools, nude sunbathing decks and spacious lobby areas. Somehow, the knowledge that I would not see one single member of the opposite sex made me feel extra relaxed, and other guests appeared to feel the same way. Unlike the quiet, elegant atmosphere of most spas, Bonaventure feels like a relaxed girls' club (or guy's club, presumably), the kind of place where you could put your feet up and read a magazine.