Florida’s Best Spas and Fitness Centers

 By: Kim Michelle

Hiding in plain sight all the way from Orlando to Miami and down to the Keys, are several spas, retreats and fitness centers worth mentioning. Whether it’s for the exceptional experience, the amazing treatments offered or the miracles performed, each location is unique unto itself. Let journeyPod guide you through Florida in search of these wonderful gems.

Starting in Orlando we chose the Spa at Shingle Creek in celebration of Florida’s rich history. The architecture and interior reflect the Native Indian and Spanish influences, incorporating dark woods and a palette of rich earth tones, which makes for the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. This is where we start our pampering escape and indulge ourselves in an array of treatments. What makes the treatments so unique are the products they use. The Spa at Shingle Creek draw on the area’s indigenous fauna, incorporating citrus and cedar scents in their salt scrub, body lotion, body butter and spritzes. After enjoying a Muskogean Body Shine, we can certainly vouch for its incredible healing and soothing properties. The spa includes a steam room, relaxation room, jacuzzi and all the amenities and indulgences of an exclusive day spa.

Heading on down to Miami to the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle, journeyPod discovered an oasis with an interesting take on ‘girl’s night out’. Once a month Willow Stream offer a BFF night where you and your best girl friends get a taste of an assortment of spa treatments. For $45 you get 3 hours of wining, dining and a lot of pampering! Receive a 20-minute massage, manicure and pedicure, mini facial and make-over. In between treatments enjoy a glass (or two) of wine, a selection of scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and some well deserved pampering. First class treatment, time out with your girl friends and a lot of ‘you’ time – what more can a girl ask for? Make sure you book far in advance as the BFF nights fill up quickly!

Willow Stream Spa

Our next adventure takes us to a spa like no other. Guerlain’s first US spa located in Bal Harbour is the epitome of pure luxury. This 10,000 square foot, state-of-the-art spa offers personalized treatments and a 5-star spa experience guaranteed to top all others. What makes it so special, you might wonder? The pampering starts the minute you walk in the door. You’e greeted with the choice of a Guerlain Paris fragrance which is used to infuse your therapeutic experience. Fist time guests are treated to a soothing foot spa in the pedicure lounge, setting the scene for your personal journey. Guerlain is all about making the experience your own. The next leg of the journey takes you to your own private, self contained treatment room no lockers, no change rooms! Simply check into a private suite, with an ocean view and marble bathroom. Adjoining rooms are also available for couples so you can enjoy the experience together or alone. Each treatment is customized to fit the individual needs of the guest, comes with complimentary facial waxing and all the indulgent extras one can only dream of. Private patio spa dining is also offered, with a choice of healthy eats and drinks. But it doesn’t stop there – once you have finished with your treatment you have the opportunity to let loose in their make-up and fragrance playground. If you have somewhere to be or you just feel like indulging yourself, this is heaven. Use of their entire make-up and fragrance room is all inclusive and won’t set you back anything extra. In fact everything is included; there is no tipping or service charges, just an incredible spa experience.

Guerlain Footbath Spa

Not to neglect our fitness regime, the journeyPod team paid a visit to Proper Form, one of Miami’s top fitness centers, for a private session with a personal trainer. Taking fitness to a whole new level, an initial consultation offers a very comprehensive personal fitness profile around which highly qualified instructors design a fitness program specifically for you. Although the truth might at first hurt, seeing the big picture allows you the opportunity to set realistic goals and lay out a plan on exactly how to reach them. Sure it takes dedication, but it is a lot easier when you have the facts laid out in front of you and you understand the science behind what it takes to keep in shape. As part of the program your body composition is measured and monitored by a high-tech machine know as the ‘Bod Pod’. Simply step inside the egg-like pod and the machine does the rest. It is the most advanced technology available as well as being the most accurate and fastest way to take your measurements. Utilizing the Bod Pod allows Proper Form the advantage of accurately determining your body composition and helps guide you to a whole new level of fitness. If you are looking for a ‘new you’, journeyPod highly recommends paying Proper Form a visit where you can choose from a variety of one-on-one training programs. Try it and you’ll certainly reap the rewards!

Proper Form – BodPod

Let us not forget Key West! Known for its laid back atmosphere where rest and relaxation are the name of the game. This led us to SpaTerre at Ocean Key Resort, a waterfront haven designed to engage all the senses. SpaTerre’s treatments are designed to reflect Key West’s culture, using a blend of herbs and minerals indigenous to South Florida, and an exotic combination of Balinese treatments and Thai body rituals. Exotic treatments such as the Javanese Royal Spa Treatment, Tropical Essence Spa Massage, and Key Lime Margarita Spa Pedicure each offer an unparalleled luxury experience unique to the SpaTerre concept. Allow your body to surrender to the healing warmth of the ancient Hot Stone Spa Massage where heated volcanic river stones penetrate the deepest layers of your muscles to take you to a new dimension of relaxation. For those wanting to spoil and be spoilt, Ocean Key Resort have 2 deluxe suites with en suite spa treatments rooms where you and your other half can indulge in SpaTerre world famous menu of services. Rather let them bring the spa to you, where you can indulge in the comfort of your very own suite.

Feeling refreshed, relaxed, toned and in shape? That is the idea!

For a full list of journeyPod’s favorite spas, check out the “Most Relaxing Spa’s in the World“