It’s exactly what you expect. The subdued lighting, plinky global music, trickling Buddhish water features, a hint of eucalyptus in the air and, of course, the robes. I always find it strange to strip down and cruise around in a fluffy robe and mingle with other people, also in robes. Am I part of some new-age robe cult? But this is what we do at the spa, specifically the Serenity Spa at the Naples Grande, where I’m about to experience a healing massage with CBD oil, the latest addition to the rubdown routine. The therapist collects me from the ultra-mellow waiting area and in soft, hushed tones directs me to the treatment room. One hour later, I will feel like I’ve undergone an Egyptian Pharaoh’s preparation rites for the afterlife, without mummification or actually dying. Instead, I’m a be-robed pile of blissed-out skin and bones settling into the remaining pleasures of sauna, steam, hot pools and cold plunges that await to revive me for my return to the mundane everyday world. Find your own serenity at these Florida spas.
Spa at the Naples Grande
475 Seagate Dr., Naples
Every year, you schedule a trip around the kid’s spring break. Pile the whole crew into the car and get out of town. But how about this year, you ditch the kids and take time for yourself. Spas, like the spa at the Grande, are the essence of escape. Once you’ve got that robe on, there is no going back. And, while you might feel a little guilty, there are only your fellow robe people around to judge. And hey, they’re here too, so what can they say? They’re all guilty, too. Why not turn it all off and enjoy?
Florida is home to some of the best spas in the world to experience this wonderful euphoria. Last winter, we visited six luxury spas (tough gig) in anticipation that folks like us would come out of yet another pandemic-tainted season needing a reason to disappear for a while.
The Grand Spa at The Biltmore
1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables
The Biltmore is literally a Miami landmark. The giant, Mediterranean-revival tower can be seen from all over the city. And while traveling film scouts and NBA teams call it home when passing through, we like to think of it as our hotel. The Biltmore has always made it a point to cater to locals and the Grand Spa is no exception, offering deals and staycation packages for those of us yearning to go somewhere but need to stay here. Book a spa treatment for $100 and afterward relax in the indoor and outdoor pools and lounge in the heart of Coral Gables, while wearing a robe, of course. Bonus: Maybe you’ll see an NBA player taking a schvitz.
Palm Beach Wellness at La Coquille Club
155 Royal Way, Palm Beach
La Coquille Club, located in the heart of Palm Beach’s estate section, recently became part of the Auberge resorts and completed a massive renovation making the marquee of its rooftop pool and infinity edge hot tub that overlooks the surrounding waterways. After a big spring day on the water, there are few spots in Palm Beach that rival a rooftop soak at La Coquille. The also has an adjacent fitness center (indoors) with equally stunning views. Book a yoga session and then chill out in the zen garden. Namaste.
The Edge Spa at The River Ranch Lodge
3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch
With all the fuss about the popular Kevin Costner vehicle Yellowstone, there seems to be a “cowboy moment” happening. Florida has its own ranch country — the wide-open prairie south of Orlando has been working cattle since long before Montana was a state, and The River Ranch Lodge is smack dab in the middle of it. (A stretch of river where the Lodge takes guests for fly fishing lessons still winds past working cattle pastures.) Fittingly, its Edge Spa has some western twang to it, offering treatments accented with wild-harvested ingredients and a relaxation pool overlooking the Kissimmee River. But in addition to all this mindfulness, you can book the aforementioned fly-fishing lessons, “natural horsemanship” classes or fire off shotguns on the ranch’s sporting clay range. That’s right. Serenity and firearms.
The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
4750 Amelia Island Pkwy, Amelia Island
Six treatment rooms compose the tranquil spa along with a posh relaxation room and a serenely lit grotto replete with a plunge pool encased in granite walls. A yoga and fitness center add to the rejuvenating experience. Salt Restaurant indulges with breathtaking water views and delicious, locally-sourced fare. Similarly sited nearby, The Dunes Pub cheers with creative cocktails and a relaxed, sunset happy hour menu. Lounges on every floor invite convivial gatherings and The Nest—a fully equipped game room—invites fun off-the-water competition. A large, heated outdoor pool treats guests to dips surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
The Spa at The Breakers Resort
1 S County Rd., Palm Beach, Fla.
While Florida has its share of luxury resorts, we’d be remiss if we didn’t encourage you to travel farther afield to one of America’s grand spas. The Spa at The Breakers in Palm Beach has a history going back to the late 1800s and is the kind of place generations of travelers have visited to “take the waters.” Its founder, Henry Flagler, was a world traveler who came to Florida to create an “oasis of culture” in what was then considered untamed frontier and succeeded. Today the Breakers lets you step back in time and is truly a bucket list destination.