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The Best Spas
Agua Spa at Delano (Miami; tel. 800/555-5001 or 305/672-2000): One trip to this sublime, celebrity-saturated rooftop spa in a haute hotel overlooking the Atlantic, and you'll feel like you're in heaven. Try the milk-and-honey massage and you'll understand.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami (Miami; tel. 866/526-6567 or 305/913-8383): If it's good enough for J.Lo, then it must be good enough for the rest of us. But seriously, this star-studded spa isn't the best because of its clientele, but because of its Chinese, Balinese, Indian, and European treatments applied by professionals well versed in the inimitable Mandarin Oriental brand of pampering.
The Spa at The Setai (South Beach; tel. 305/520-6100): Nirvana is alive and well at the Spa at the Setai, where the philosophy of relaxation is derived from an ancient Sanskrit legend, natural elixirs, eternal youth, and Asian treatments and ingredients such as green tea.
The Spa at The Standard (South Beach; tel. 305/673-1717): What used to be an old-school, Borscht Belt-style Miami Beach health spa is now one of the hottest, trendiest places to take a Turkish bath in a bona fide hammam, let out steam in a cedar sauna, or get spritzed in the hotel's sublime Wall of Sound Shower.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Key Biscayne (Key Biscayne; tel. 305/365-4158): This spa is a sublime, 20,000-square-foot West Indies colonial-style Eden where you can indulge in more than 60 treatments, including the Key Lime Coconut Body Scrub and the Everglades Grass Body Wrap in one of 21 treatment rooms. For a real splurge, the Fountain of Youth Balance treatment is a 6-hour indulgence with a facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, shampoo, styling, and lunch served on the oceanfront terrace.
ESPA at Acqualina (Sunny Isles Beach; tel. 305/918-8000; fax 305/918-8100): The first of its kind in the U.S., ESPA features groundbreaking treatments in a stunning, two-story space overlooking the Atlantic.
Marriott's Harbor Beach (Fort Lauderdale; tel. 800/222-6543 or 954/525-4000): This $8-million, 24,000-square-foot European spa is the first full-service seaside facility of its kind in Fort Lauderdale.
PGA National Resort & Spa (Palm Beach Gardens; tel. 800/633-9150 or 561/627-2000): This lauded golf resort provides the perfect pampering for sore golfers and bored nongolfers, with its Mediterranean Spa offering just about every treatment imaginable, including special ones for pregnant women.
Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa (Fort Myers; tel. 800/767-7777 or 239/466-4000): Many call this high-rise resort overlooking Sanibel Island the best spa value in the country. Regardless of the price, the spa obliges your every whim. Try the amazing Betar Bed, a suspended "bed of music" that floats you to a level where stresses disappear. There are also mud, algae, seaweed, and mineral wraps, along with Swiss showers, paraffin facials, and more. Day packages, makeovers, and men's sports packages are popular. The fitness center is also state of the art.
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (Naples; tel. 800/237-7600 or 239/261-2222): This modern spa adds complete relaxation to a stay at this venerable hotel, already one of Florida's most relaxing resorts. A deep-body massage followed by a milk-and-honey wrap will leave you on cloud nine, and a special wedding package will have you primed for the big day.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples (Naples; tel. 888/856-4372 or 239/598-3300): An impressive, hard-to-leave, full-service spa will leave you thoroughly relaxed before or after your stroll through the mangrove forest to the white-sand beach at one of Florida's finest luxury resorts.
Safety Harbor Resort and Spa (Tampa Bay Area; tel. 888/237-8772 or 727/726-1161): Tucked away off the beaten track amid moss-draped oaks and cobblestone streets, Safety Harbor is the oldest continually running spa in the United States, and Florida's only spa built around natural healing springs -- the feeling is very European. The Phil Green tennis school is also on the grounds, and many tennis programs are available.
Amelia Island Plantation (Amelia Island; tel. 888/261-6161 or 904/261-6161): Besides a spectacular resort and a stunning spa facility, the Amelia Island Plantation has a dedicated watsu massage facility on its own island right near the spa.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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