Love is in the air, and all things pink, red, and heart-shaped are inescapable this week. That's right - Valentine's Day is right around the corner. This coming Saturday, to be exact. And just as the flower shops and bakeries are all taking last-minute orders and restaurants are filling their reservations, so are some of the city's finest spas. Here are some of the best offers for this most romantic of commercially-created holidays. But be forewarned, recessionistas -- to say that these packages are for those who can afford them, is an understatement.
Sign your name up at The Setai to say "I love you" with style. The Couple's Love Ceremony is an over-the-top indulgence that's all about you and your significant other. It includes an hour-long traditional Balinese-style massage, a "love bath," that includes candle light and an oversize tub filled with rose petals and The Setai's special "love potion," (which is a 100% pure blend of aromatherapy bath oil and Himalayan bath salts). Add champagne and canapés to this ceremonial celebration. $500 per couple, but this is a guaranteed firestarter. Call 305-520-6400 or visit www.setai.com.
They've sweetened the deal at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne with their line of "cocoluscious" organic spa treatments, and their new indulgent offerings will make your mate drool. Take for example the Sugar-Coated treatment, which begins with a coconut sugar scrub, continues to include a "caressing decadent chocolate truffle wrap," and concludes with "healing watermelon papaya body butter." $170 for an hour, and you'll be good enough to eat. If you want to treat your sweetie to a treatment too, sign up for the "Everything's Better in Twos" special, which includes a pair of 50-minute Key Biscayne Signature Massages or a 50-minute Key Biscayne Signature Facials, with either a seascape pedicure, ocean essence body buff, or ocean breeze facial for $250 (including tax and gratuity). Call 305-365-4500.
At the sumptuous Acqualina Resort & Spa, it's all about couple time. They're offering romantic dinner specials, and a couples' relaxation sanctuary at ESPA. Their specials include the "Indulge for Two." $700 for 2 hours, and it includes a welcome foot ritual, ESPA salt and oil scrub, body massage, scalp massage, and champagne lunch. For a cheaper version of couple time, there's "Private Spa Time for Two," which means you can enjoy the private steam shower and chillax for a half hour for the comparitvely cheaper rate of 175 a couple. To book an ESPA escape, call 305-918-6844.
In case you didn't already know, the Mandarin Oriental is the only spa in the city to recieve the prestigious Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star Award. That makes it one of only eight spas in the United States to earn the industry's most distinguished spa award! So you know you're in for decadence on Valentine's Day, with their special menu of treatments. Their "Valentine Chakra Ritual" sounds ridiculous in the best possible way. It begins with a couples chakra reading ceremony, to "bring the couple closer together." OK, sure. Then it continues on with your choice of two hour treatments in a Couples' Suite, pedis for two, champagne and red velvet mini cupcakes served in the Couples Lounge, and to cap off the 4 hour experience, ladies walk away with a beautiful heart pendant. Cost? A mere $950 per couple. If you want to save some bucks (but not too many,) spring for the "Thai for Two" welcome foot ritual. That's a 120 minute Thai massage sesh, cosmos and sweet treats, a Thai-inspired lunch and a mystery spa gift. 3 hours = $780 a couple. Who said luxury came cheap? For reservations, call 305-913- 8332.
