Name: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Type of Spa: Urban Luxury Spa
The Setting for Mandarin Oriental, Miami: This handsome high-rise on a 44-acre private island offers waterfront seclusion and urban access. It's located right across from the Financial District...but it has its own private beach where you can lounge on elevated beds and listen to the rustle of palms and faint New Age Music.
The Hotel at Mandarin Oriental, Miami: This is a stunning, luxurious property that is considered Miami’s finest. The 327-room hotel has a celebrity clientele that includes Penelope Cruz, Mick Jagger and the Dalai Lama. There are so many celebrities it has a special elevator for them. The lobby is a masterpiece of Asian-inspired subtlety, with a magnificent 30-foot Black Bamboo tree surrounded by riverstones.
The Rooms at Mandarin Oriental, Miami: Tranquility reigns in these sun-drenched rooms, decorated in tones of soft beige and white. The suites have balconies and luxurious bathrooms made of rich, ochre-colored Spanish marble.
The Food at Mandarin Oriental, Miami: Azul Restaurant has a fabulous six-course tasting menu that treats you to dishes like hamachi tartar with crème fraiche and caviar, matched with a lively Austrian Riesling. Food alone is $85; with wine it’s $130, which is actually a good value. The more casual Café Sambal has a very tasty and healthy Spa Bento Box with specialties like seared tuna Sit outside and enjoy the warm breeze.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami: This is a lovely 15,000 square foot spa spread over three floors. It uses Asian materials like bamboo and rice paper to achieve a calming atmosphere and has great visual details, like an orange zinnia twirling in a black fountain. Large, luxurious treatment suites (perfect for couples massage) overlook Biscayne Bay. A small, beautiful movement studio is decorated with large, egg-like sculptures that inspire meditative calm. Classes include yoga, Pilates, bellydancing and tai chi. A full fitness studio is on a separate floor.
Signature Treatments at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami: The most luxurious treatment is simply “Time.” Just book two hours or more, and you and the therapist decide what your body needs that day. “Time” usually incorporates exfoliation, massage, and a gentle facial cleanse, but therapist customizes the experience. For instance, my therapist used Swedish to help me relax, Trager to open joints, as well as hot river stones and deep tissue techniques to release old, hard knots in my shoulders. Fabulous!
Prices at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami: Room rates start as low as $399 for specials and go all the way up to $5,000. A full-body massage and aromatherapy facial are both $120. “Time” costs $145 an hour in a regular treatment room and $180 an hour in a suite. It’s $300 an hour for couples.
The Products at the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami: ESPA, a U.K. company that uses organic ingredients and has a philosophy of gentle, healing treatments.
What’s Special about the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami: The Zen luxury, the peacefulness and serenity in a major city, and the outstanding staff. The therapists are both massage therapists and estheticians, so they stay with you through your entire treatment.
What Could Be Better: You have to go back through the reception area in your robe to take an elevator up to the private suites, which breaks the mood a little.
The Bottom Line: This spa is for you if you want a completely luxurious, pampering experience in a quiet location, with access to Miami’s business and party scene. This spa is not for you if you want something flashy and over-the-top.
Contact Info: Mandarin Oriental, Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, Florida 33131. Toll-free reservations: 1-866-888-6730, www.mandarinoriental.com/miami
