Indulge in world-class relaxation and signature dining experiences in vibrant Miami Beach, Florida

By Riesa Pascal

It should come as no surprise to learn that there are literally hundreds of hotels in Miami with nearly 200 options just in the Miami Beach area alone! With so many spectacular resorts included in those numbers, the competition to stand out is increasingly fierce. As a result, many of these hotels have turned to their spa and dining offerings as a way to stand out from the rest which has led to Greater Miami & Miami Beach becoming home to some of the country’s best spas and MICHELIN Star restaurants and hotels.

Thankfully, the GMCVB’s Miami Temptations Programs provide invaluable opportunities for locals and tourists alike to experience the best of this vibrant destination through special deals and exclusive offers. Though Miami Spa Month concluded officially in August, some resorts have extended their offerings including one of the fabulous properties I experienced for myself which you will read more about below. When it comes to Miami Spice Month however, you’re in for a treat as the popular discounted dining program is still actively running and will continue all the way until the end of September with three-course meals at top eateries for just $30/$35 for lunch/brunch and $45/$60 for dinner. Keep on reading to learn more about the various spa facilities and outstanding dining I experienced alongside several companions during an unforgettable weekend in the Magic City.

The Palms Hotel & Spa

Located in the heart of Miami Beach, the Palms Hotel & Spa is an award-winning sustainable wellness resort that places wellness and green practices at the center of each guest experience. Over its 14 year history as a premiere luxury wellness resort, the Palms Hotel & Spa has become a welcoming oasis of relaxation, sophistication and charm to its many visitors. Situated on its own stretch of beach with a mission to offer their guests a memorable experience of total well-being inspired by nature, it only makes sense that one of the many ways they achieve this is through therapeutic spa treatments offered at The Palms AVEDA Spa.

Influenced by holistic Ayurvedic wellness rituals personalized for your well-being, The Palms AVEDA Spa invites guests to nurture their body, mind and soul with rejuvenating spa experiences. My own experience consisted of their popular Intense Hydrating Facial. Highly remedial from beginning to end, this proved to be so much more than just a facial. My skin was positively transformed after the treatment which promises the restoration of your skin’s optimal moisture levels and a minimized appearance of fine, dry lines. Just when I thought the experience couldn’t get any better, my service was brought to a delightful close with a soothing, eye-enhancing masque and a chilled glass of prosecco.

After such a fabulous treatment, the only thing better than being brought to that state of total relaxation is to continue the feelings of pleasure with an exquisite meal at Essensia Restaurant & Bar located on property. As a Green Globe certified property, it was no surprise to learn that the Palms Hotel & Spa carries their passion for sustainable tourism best practices into their dining experiences as well. Essensia provides a natural gourmet dining experience that embraces a farm-to-table philosophy and offers a seasonal selection of global, wholesome cuisine made primarily with locally sourced ingredients – including an on-property Chef’s Organic Garden. 

For my companions and I, Essensia was the first stop of several Miami Spice dining experiences that we would go on to enjoy over the course of our weekend together. Appetizer options came in the form of Grilled Florida Sun Shrimp, Gratitude Blue Oyster Mushroom Ceviche, and Local Red Snapper Crudo while entrees of Kimchi Turmeric Fried Rice, Za’atar Chicken Kebab, and Braised Short Ribs absolutely stole the show. And what’s a dinner without dessert? Still within the exceptional Miami Spice price of $60 per person, Essensia’s two dessert options of Passion Fruit Mousse and a decadent Chocolate Dome were a tasty conclusion to our unforgettable first night.

The Miami Beach EDITION

The following morning saw my companions and I take a brief three-minute walk across the street to The Miami Beach EDITION for yet another exquisite Miami Spice meal. This time it came in the form of a delectable brunch in the Matador Room, the signature restaurant located on property. Featuring a supper club-like atmosphere reminiscent of the 1940s, the Matador Room tempts guests with innovative cuisine inspired by the flavors of South America, the Caribbean and Spain. Having been seated outside on their gorgeous terrace, we were surrounded on every side by lush vegetation and alluring smells that had my mouth watering and my taste buds ready to jump into another superb round of Miami Spice dining. At just $35, their Miami Spice Brunch offering was an absolute steal with appetizers of Avocado Toast or Vanilla Chia Bowl and Entrees of Eggs Benedict with Country Ham or BLT Taco with Roasted Tomatoes, House Cured Bacon and Arugula. Just make sure you save room for your dessert options of Cafe Con Tres Leches or Cherry Cheesecake Sundae. All three courses are sure to leave you satisfied and ready for a nap… or perhaps ready for another spa treatment as they did for me!

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

With our bellies full and feelings of lethargy beginning to settle in, the idea of another spa experience sounded like the perfect afternoon activity. Fontainebleau Miami Beach was the location of choice and unsurprisingly they did not disappoint. At their pristine Lapis Spa, we stepped into a tranquil sanctuary that you’ll never want to pull yourself away from. I went on to enjoy a CBD Swedish Massage that boasted a maximum relaxation and pain relief ritual to reclaim your mental sanity and well-being. The treatment eased tense muscles, reduced feelings of stress and left me feeling fully refreshed. The Swedish Massage was elevated with 150mg of high potency CBD oil sourced from the organically grown hemp plant and infused with anti-inflammatory lavender. THC-free oil meant no toxicity or side effects, only the utmost relaxation and rejuvenation. Best of all, this massage was just one of their many meticulously designed services! When presented with a diverse menu of offerings in a spa menu, it can sometimes be difficult to choose the treatment that is best for you, but Lapis Spa made it evident that you truly can’t go wrong with your selection. 

Acqualina Resort

The beautiful thing about massages is that no two therapists are the same and no two treatments are alike! From the type of massage to the individual style of the therapist conducting your treatment, visitors to Miami in need of some good old-fashioned ‘R & R’ can do no wrong with a spa tour through the 305. A perfect example of this was the next massage I experienced at the elegant Mediterranean style oceanfront Acqualina Resort. Having been awarded the prestigious Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide and Best Hotel Spa in the US by USA Today, Acqualina Spa was a 20,000 square foot indulgent retreat for preeminent spa treatments and experiences. I chose to partake in a Summer Soothing Massage which was a traditional Swedish massage using light pressure to bring the mind and body to a state of total relaxation. Of course their world-class spa isn’t the only way to experience self-indulgence at Acqualina Resort’s magnificent property. 

The elevated beachfront luxury property also features four dining destinations, including their newest restaurant Ke-Uh. At Ke-Uh, my companions and I savored a diverse and eclectic tapas-style Japanese menu of appetizers before heading over to Il Mulino New York, also located on property, to experience yet another exquisite Miami Spice dinner. The acclaimed Italian restaurant has been awarded the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Award for its exceptional dining experience and it didn’t take us long to see why. Their $60 Miami Spice menu kicked us off with antipasti dishes such as caprese with burrata, tomatoes and basil, or an arugula salad. We then dove straight into entrees like a rigatoni Bolognese crafted with braised veal, beef, and pork; linguine al pomodoro; or pork chop Milanese. The savory meal concluded on a sweet note with our choice of cannoli or creamy tiramisu, neither of which could possibly be a bad selection as every morsel of the dinner was an unforgettable delight.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

On the final day of our weekend exploring just a few of Miami’s spa and dining offerings, we ended up at Carillon Miami Wellness Resort. Not only is the breathtaking property Florida’s most comprehensive spa and wellness resort, it is actually the largest spa and wellness facility on the East Coast. With their Miami Spa Month offerings now extended through the end of September, there is still plenty of time for you to also enjoy spa savings and treat yourself or loved ones to the ultimate spa experiences starting at only $109. From cupping and cryotherapy to infrared saunas and everything in between, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort brings a unique and comprehensive mixture of Western, Eastern, Alternative, and Aesthetic medicine to their extensive offerings. 

For example, touchless treatments like the Wellsystem Wave Massage use a dry water massage to relieve tension and provide holistic relaxation for the body and soul. The fully customizable experience allowed me to adjust everything from the music I heard and the lighting colors to the movement of the massage jets and the area of focus on my body. It was a soothing break from the world outside and provided an entirely different take on relaxation to one of their signature therapeutic massages. That being said, you still can’t go wrong with a traditional treatment such as their Rejuvenating Massage offering. This full-body massage uniquely started with an almond-orange oil foot exfoliation to alleviate dryness and soothe fatigued feet. Afterwards, warm and nourishing coconut, argan and avocado oils were drizzled onto my body for superior hydration and relaxation. It was a truly nourishing journey for the body and soul.

Naturally, there was only one way to conclude such a fabulous weekend experiencing Miami Spa and Spice Month offerings and that of course was with one final Miami Spice meal. For that, my companions and I stayed on property at Carillon Miami and headed to lunch at The Strand. The gorgeous restaurant boasts a Mediterranean contemporary dining experience with a carefully crafted menu that sources ingredients from local farms and places a spotlight on Florida’s organic community. For just $35, their Miami Spice Lunch featured an array of tempting food that delighted each and every taste bud. My appetizer of Feta Saganaki proved to be an excellent starter with mastica roasted husk cherries and hazelnuts, honeyed black tahina, mint, and powdered sugar. Our entree selection of Key West Pink Shrimp Polenta was served in style with coconut creamed corn, sun dried tomatoes, spiced pine nuts, and cilantro. Meanwhile, desserts like Torta Caprese, Turkish Rice Pudding or Lime Mint Tart are guaranteed to have you returning to Miami Spice at The Strand time and time again. 

Though Miami Spa Month deals were extended for some of the locations discussed above, each of these properties are guaranteed to still have many affordable ways to restore your vitality through powerful therapeutic treatments offered at their facilities. That being said, Miami Spice Month doesn’t officially conclude until the end of September so all the more reason to grab your friends, family or loved ones and head on down to Miami for dining experiences with a dash of spice. Great food is a highlight of any great getaway, so don’t skip this chance to savor Miami and Miami Beach’s collection of the tastiest cuisines from around the world. 

The Palms Hotel & Spa

3025 Collins Avenue

Miami Beach, FL 33140

www.thepalmshotel.com

The Miami Beach EDITION

2901 Collins Avenue

Miami Beach, FL

www.editionhotels.com/miami-beach

Fontainebleau Miami Beach

4441 Collins Ave

Miami Beach, FL 33140

www.fontainebleaumiamibeach.com

Acqualina Resort

17875 Collins Avenue

Sunny Isles Beach, FL, US, 33160

www.acqualinaresort.com

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

6801 Collins Avenue

Miami Beach, Florida 33141

www.carillonhotel.com