The cubicle in your office feels like it's closing in on all sides; you're a step closer to carpal tunnel with every keystroke; and you're about ready to tell your boss to plant a big wet one on the shady side of your fugly business casual khakis.
Like most people on this hustle and bustle rock, you and your body need some TLC, or you might just snap (hopefully not in a naked bath salts kind of way).
Luckily, the fifth annual Miami Spa Month is here to prevent such stress-induced situations, just in time for Independence Day. The event, organized by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, recognizes that most of us hard-working folks want to celebrate, but are high on irritability and low on cash. So they're offering top-notch spa treatments and services starting at $99. And after some extended research -- it's a hard job, but somebody's gotta do it -- we've determined the best ways to get the most bang for your 99 bucks.
So whip out the cucumber slices and the bathrobes, and get ready to indulge. Here are the 10 best services to take advantage of during Miami Spa Month's incredibly relaxing run.
Lapis Spa, Fontainebleau Miami Beach
You're going to feel like you stepped into water world. The Hot Stone Massage (55 min) is like being caressed by gentle waves of heat (no, really, like butterfly kisses from Apollo himself). Best part is, Lapis is offering a Mid-Week Bonus. From Tuesday to Thursday, book your treatment and you'll receive a complimentary Lapis Soak (nourishing bath for relaxation and detoxification) or a Lapis Manicure, as well as Water Journeys, which offers numerous spa amenities for a whole day including complimentary refreshments, mineral water jet baths, a rain tunnel, eucalyptus infusion steam room, the Fontainebleau's gym and outdoor poolscape and discounted valet parking.
4441 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach; (305) 674-4772
Emena Spa
This is the first eco-luxury spa in the Design District where the treatments and services offered are carefully developed to revitalize both the spa-goer and the environment. Hippie-dippies of Miami rejoice!
You get to pick two treatments; top picks include a Custom Organic Facial (55 min) designed to treat your skin the way it deserves to be treated with the spa's organic line Eminence. Get an Essential Mani/Pedi Combo (90 min) or go straight for the Foot Master Reflexology Pedicure (90 min), which incorporates loads of deep muscle foot and leg massage with the "Foot Master of Miami" so you can barefoot boogie in comfort on Mother Nature's turf.
180 NE 39th St., Suite 223,
Miami.
(305) 438-3777
Elemis Spa, Village of Merrick Park
The British spa therapy brand is serving up some deliciousness to complement the city of sun. Cool off with an invigorating Orange Creamsicle (75 min) treatment, which includes an energizing orange sugar scrub for the body using the citrus scent of blood orange and white pepper, and a richly hydrating marshmallow foot mask (yes, marshmallow) followed by a Swedish massage. Try not to lick yourself when it's over.
Spa Month guests also receive a complimentary glass of wine and validated parking. Plus, they've added a Spa Splurge: guests will receive a complimentary Phyto Hair Conditioning Cocktail and an additional $25 off a regularly priced spa treatment of $100 or more through December 31, 2012.
330 San Lorenzo Ave. Coral Gables; (305) 774-7171
The Spa at Grove Isle
This paradise haven borrows Indonesian, Thai, and Balinese influences to enrich your spa experience. Get the Royal Body Treatment (80 min) and get to feeling majestic with a 50-minute Balinese massage, a 15-minute mud body mask, topped off with a 15-minute relaxing ritual bath infused with aromatherapy essence. Included in your stay is the use of gym facilities, locker rooms, his and hers Turkish steam rooms, Roman waterfalls, complimentary parking, and the use of Grove Isle Resort pools.
Grove Isle Hotel & Spa,
4 Grove Isle Dr.,
Coconut Grove; (305) 860-4308
The Spa at One Bal Harbour
This one's for you, Sunny Isles. The five-star luxury spa delivers a holistic experience with an Anti-Oxidant Enriched Facial/Papaya & Pineapple Foot Ritual. This facial is as exotic as it sounds, beginning with a milky, bubbly cleanse to refresh dull skin in preparation for the active ingredient, white-grape, to bring your skin cells to a youthful state. Your feet will be treated to a rejuvenating massage, which incorporates pressure point application to increase relaxation, reduce stress, and stimulate the Qi (life force) to the rest of the body. If vague notions of "life force" don't get you going, this might: Spa Month customers will also receive an additional 25% discount off regular spa menu. Gotta love doubling down on discounts.
10295 Collins Ave.,
Bal Harbour; (305) 455-5411
Jurlique Spa, Mayfair Hotel and Spa
East meets West in this peaceful refuge that recognizes outer beauty and inner health fit together like a hand in a glove. Reserve a 90-minute Combo treatment: Best pick is the delectable 60-minute Mojito Sugar Scrub with essential oils to smooth the skin, which includes a hot Vichy shower finished by a restoring hydration. This goes with a 30-minute Express Facial, which includes a cleanse, exfoliation, mask, toner, hydration, and light facial massage. You'll also get complimentary valet parking, plus access to a co-ed steam room, fitness center, and the rooftop pool. You're on top of the world, baby.
The Spa at Conrad Miami
If you're hoping to catch a Miami sunset, this spa overlooks scenic Biscayne Bay. Choose one 50-minute treatment and one 25-minute treatment to fulfill your pampering needs. Try something refreshing like a Coconut Facial (50 min), which includes a hot and cold facial stone massage and age-defying eye treatment. Pair it with a Stress Be Gone Massage (25 min) to relieve muscle pain and tension in the back, neck, and shoulders. Spa Month customers also receive a complimentary drink. It's essentially tropical rapture without having to burn a hole in your wallet or get on a plane.
Espirito Santo Plaza,
1395 Brickell Ave.,
Miami; (305) 503-6533
The Spa at JW Marriott Hotel Miami
The full service boutique spa is offering Spa Month customers the Eco Beauty Facial/Reflexology package (75 min) developed to treat all skin types using organic ingredients harvested from the ever-distant Swiss Alps. Ooh, European. Things get going with a glacier water mist and a snowflake enzyme cleanse, followed by a green glamour couture mask specially mixed to fit the client's skin care concerns. The treatment finishes with a glacier crystal awakening eye massage and a foot/lower legs rejuvenating massage incorporating pressure point applications to increase relaxation, reduce stress, and stimulate the QI to the whole body. There's that life force again.
Spa Month customers also receive a 25% discount off the regular spa menu. This might be the closest thing Miami gets to a winter wonderland.
1109 Brickell Ave.
, Miami; (305) 329-3609
Exhale Mind Body Spa, Epic Hotel
Deep breaths -- this deal is too unique to pass up. The spa experience at Epic focuses on a combination of fitness and healing therapies to nourish the body. If you feel like you won't get much out of a single day at the spa, the One Month Membership of Unlimited Core Fusion and Yoga Classes + Manicure/Pedicure (90 min) package is the best way to stretch that $99. This gets you all the access you can stand to classes incorporating yoga core principles mixed with cardio and strength training techniques. Then there's the manicure, which begins with an Italian mandarin and ginger soak, followed by a Micro Algae and ginger essence buff, and then organic ginger infused lotion hand massage and light rejuvenating ginger mist. The pedicure is just as soothing with an exfoliating organic lavender scrub and slathering of moisturizing organic ginger mask while wrapped in hot towels. Finish up with all natural callus remover and organic heel balm, because your feet are gonna need it after all that gym time. Spa Month customers also receive 20% off when dining in Area 31 after treatment anytime during Miami Spa Month (excluding Friday and Saturday night).
270 Biscayne Blvd. Way
, Miami; (305) 423-3900
The Spa at Doral
The award-winning resort isn't holding anything back when it comes to celebrating Spa Month. Book a Doral Massage (80 min), which uses Swedish technique suited for relaxation of the mind, body, and spirit through the use of natural aromatherapy oils of your choice. The promotion also includes a complimentary three-course Pritikin lunch: choice of soup or salad bar, entrée salads, burgers and sandwiches, dessert, and healthy beverage (lemonade, healthy juices, or water). Fine, so there's no booze included, but you will get parking and full use of facilities: hydro-massage outdoor cascades, whirlpools, sauna, steam room, cool dip, heated indoor and outdoor pools, experience showers, indoor track, private lockers, robes, slippers, sun decks, complimentary beverages, use of fitness centers and classes located at the resort. Lunch is served from noon to 2 p.m. Doral's doin' it up.
8755 NW 36th St.
, Miami; (305) 717-6303
All treatments mentioned cost $99 and require reservation. Miami Spa Month runs July 1 to August 31. For more information on participating spas and services available, visit miamispamonth.com.
--Briana Saati
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