PINEAPPLE SALT LOOFAHS, VICHY SHOWERS AND CHAMOMILE SCRUBS: SPAS JOIN SUN AND SURF AS ONE OF GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE'S MOST POPULAR AND ABUNDANT COMMODITIES
GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - For those seeking serenity, relaxation and revitalization, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers an impressive choice of day, resort and destinations spa opportunities. The concept of spa as a total wellness experience rejuvenating mind, body and spirit has long been embraced by the community, evidenced by the wide variety of spas available to residents and visitors of Greater Fort Lauderdale, ranging from upscale, European-style establishments to sites offering a more holistic approach. Following are just a few samples of new and recently renovated spas wowing clientele from around the world:
The Contour Day Spa at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood. An oasis of relaxation and indulgence, the Contour Day Spa is all about personal attention and self-satisfaction. Pamper yourself with luxurious facials, stress-melting massages and holistic body treatments. The spa also boasts a full service salon, for those that want to return from their vacation with a completely new look. The spa offers a state-of-the-art gym, with full-circuit weight-training and cardio equipment, and personal trainers (for a fee). With names like The Journey to Eden and the Chocolate Indulgence Cellulite Treatment, it's clear that an out of the ordinary experience awaits you at the Contour Day Spa. For more information call
(954) 587-5997 or log onto www.contourdayspa.com.
The Spa at Harbor Beach at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale was built at a cost of $8-million. The 24,000-square-foot spa is a luxurious refuge from the outside world, a quiet haven designed to pamper and impress. Treatments are inspired by centuries-old European knowledge and the legendary marine therapies of Brittany on the French coast, with a focus on the healing properties of water. Signature services include massages on the spa's terrace or the beach, beneath Arabian-style cloth cabanas, and key lime- and orange blossom-infused treatments. In addition to a fully-equipped cardiovascular/weight training room with spectacular views of the ocean, the facility includes 18 treatment rooms; salon; separate men's and women's locker rooms with steam, sauna and whirlpool; private, outdoor pool; boutique and restaurant. A variety of fitness classes, ranging from Yoga to water aerobics, are also offered daily.
Included in the menu of services are Ayurveda and Hydrotherapy, traditional massage, including Swedish and Shiatsu, plus more contemporary techniques such as Reiki and Warm Stone Therapy. There is even a Ninth Moon Massage specifically designed for expectant mothers. Pampering extras include chamomile-infused ice towels, Tara-heated neck pillows, personal CD players, E Lix R tonics and facial mists and fragrant foot powders. Daily membership, which is waived with the purchase of any 50-minute spa treatment, includes use of the locker rooms, unlimited classes and access to the cardiovascular weight training room for $25 per person. Visitors can call 866- 3030-SPA or log onto www.marriottharborbeach.com for spa reservations.
A favorite of area guests, the recently reflagged Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa (formerly the Bonaventure Resort & Conference Center) in Weston has the first and only destination Red Door Lifestyle Spa, Elizabeth Arden, a new 48,000 square-foot spa which embraces the concept of personal service, and features 31 treatment rooms, a Zen Garden, Pilates studio, movement studio, sauna, steam room, fitness and weight rooms, lecture rooms and a Bamboo Spa & Café. There is also a complete health and beauty center. For spa reservations or more information, call (954) 349-5500 or log onto www.bonaventure.hyatt.com.
The recently renovated Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale features a full-service European health and beauty spa. From its fitness center with whirlpools, sun lounge and three swimming pools to its salon featuring hair, nail, waxing and make-up services, Spa LXVI provides guests with all the necessities for relaxation and rejuvenation. A wide range of massages, facials and body treatments are available, including a Chardonnay Sugar Body Polish, Double Oxygen Facial, and Warm Sea Foam Wrap, all incorporating hydration principals that and aid in reversing the aging process. For a more personalize experience, guests of the resort can opt for in-room and private poolside massages. For the more active traveler, personal training sessions and tennis lessons are offered. Like many other resort spas in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Spa LXVI features a variety of spa packages combining beauty services and treatments that are geared for both men and women. For spa reservations or more information, call (954) 525-6666 or log onto www.spahyatt.com.
The Ocean Sands Resort & Spa has reopened after the completion of a major renovation and expansion program. The full-service oceanfront health and fitness spa and hotel features 89 guestrooms and an extensive menu of spa and salon services and fitness programs in a new Pompano Beach building. Highlights of the Spa include seven treatment rooms, two Vichy showers and a hydrotherapy tub facility, as well as two outdoor heated pools. The staff represents experts in ten different kinds of therapeutic massage, facials, body wraps, manicures, pedicures, hair coloring and styling. For more information, call (954) 590-1000, or log onto www.theoceansandsresortandspa.com.
The 63-room Regency House Natural Health Spa in Hallandale Beach is a holistic health and living center that is geared to helping people lose weight and minimize body fat. The program is based on a high quality, vegetarian diet combined with stress management and behavior modification, including consistent aerobic exercise. The Regency takes pride in teaching guests how to build and maintain high-level health and thinner body image, especially when they return to their regular lives. Facilities at the beachfront resort include a gym, massage rooms, body center, outdoor pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. The spa provides shopping and cooking classes, work out programs, a basic training boot camp, evening dance classes, yoga, meditation classes, aerobics, health and nutrition lectures and three meals a day. For more information, call 800-454-0003 or log onto www.regencyhealthspa.com.
Spa Atlantic, at The Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, offers an exclusive spa experience dedicated to providing expert service and luxurious surroundings for guests seeking balance and vitality. The full-service spa and fitness center is inspired by the flora & fauna found throughout South Florida. The Spa provides expertise, encouragement and a unique selection of services created from The Garden, from The Grove and from The Sea; to provide guests with a comprehensive range of massages and spa treatments to promote relaxation, invigoration and renewal. Spa Atlantic offers a number of massage therapies, including couples massages and massages for expecting mothers. The Spa also offers body treatments and baths using products native to South Florida as well as skin and nail treatments and services. For reservations call (954) 567-8020 or log onto www.preferredhotels.com.
Spa Q at the newly completed, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, offers a spirit of elegance that is personalized for each guest. The 7,000 sq.-ft., full-service European spa center is designed to indulge and fulfill the needs and desires of all guests. Treatments can be performed at the spa or in-suite. Spa services include facials, massage, body scrubs and wraps, as well as salon services such as manicures and pedicures. In addition, papering can continue with bath butlers offering in-suite bath services. The fitness center also offers a variety of the latest Precor equipment and programs including cardio-vascular, yoga, aerobics, aqua aerobics, beach boot camp, stretch-and-tone and tai chi. For resort information call (954) 760-7177 or visit www.fortlauderdalebeachresort.hilton.com.
The Spa at Lago Mar, which opened in spring 2002, brings an environment of contemporary European elegance to the Fort Lauderdale beachfront. Located at the Lago Mar Resort and Club, the full-service facility features an array of body wraps, deep tissue and aromatherapy massages plus facials and pedicures. For those looking to tone as well as relax their muscles, an exercise facility provides the most current Cybex equipment, including treadmills, cycles, cardiovascular and strength equipment. Additional highlights include men's and women's locker rooms with private steam rooms, four treatment rooms, a relaxation room and spa boutique. For more information, call 877-524-6627 or log onto www.lagomar.com.
The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, offers individual spa suites with showers, private alfresco massage areas on the tropical pool deck and spa services designed exclusively for Ritz-Carlton by Sundãri, the botanical-rich skincare line from India. Therapeutic body scrubs such as Gotu Kola & Walnut Body Scrub and Neem & Date Seed Healing Body Scrub, as well as intuitive spa experiences such as Holistic Healing Ritual, Royal Treatment and Fit for King offer intensive rejuvenation for the tired and stressed out traveler. The 8,000-square-foot spa includes ten treatment rooms and a sun-drenched modern exercise studio offers yoga, spinning and aerobics sessions seasonally. For more information call (954) 465-2300 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/fortlauderdale.
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood features The Spa at The Diplomat in a truly elegant and serene country club setting. Natural light floods the 30,000-square-foot, Mediterranean-inspired facility, which encompasses two floors, richly appointed with marble and natural wood accents. For guests staying on property, a sky walkway provides direct access to the spa, eliminating the need to walk through the lobby. The lavish, garden courtyard ambience is evident throughout, from the complete fitness facilities and salon to the private outdoor pool and luxurious locker areas, featuring separate men's and women's lounges with saunas, steam rooms and patios.
The Diplomat stresses healthy nutrition through consultation and cuisine, a good fitness program, psychological well-being and proper care of the face and body. More than 20 treatments, from reflexology and aromatherapy to Kurs and chamomile scrubs, are given in 17 private treatment rooms. There are several double rooms ideal for couples and friends to experience treatments together, four VIP rooms with private entrances and hydro-tubs and two rooms with wet tables and stand up Vichy showers. Aerobics classes and personal training sessions are also available. For spa reservations or more information, visitors can call (954) 602-6000 or log onto www.westin.com/diplomat.
05/2009
