When you think about South Florida winter vacations, usually the very last thing on your mind is time for renewal and health. Instead, you’re probably just looking for a little indulgence and escape—especially in the Miami area, where the swanky hotels and resorts in South Beach speak loudest to those looking for all-night entertainment and a bustling social scene. Now, however, a new resort may be changing the reason that some choose this destination—and for very good reason. Avid travelers and spa-seekers have probably long been familiar with the concept of Canyon Ranch and its original location in Arizona. Now, the brain-trust behind this resort concept has just opened Canyon Ranch Miami Beach, a hotel and facility in the heart of Miami with the in-depth wellness and health focus you’d expect from this distinctive organization. And visitors are lining up to experience it.
The first thing that appealed to me was the ease with which I actually got to the spa. With daily direct flights from Nashville to both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports (I always select the latter, as it’s less crowded and much easier to navigate), you can be door-to-door in two hours. That’s much less taxing than the flight schedule required to head west. With less travel needed, Nashville guests have more time on the property—which is always a plus, especially here. In fact, it offers so much, I found myself making every hour of the day count just to take advantage of it all.
Upon arrival, you immediately realize you’re in a different place than you expect to find in this area. The lobby and associated spaces are as luxurious and stylish as properties nearby, but they have a very different feel. The focus of the design—and the staff—is certainly relaxation, but it’s also very appealing to those looking for a more “green” environment, with a clear absence of hustle and bustle that I felt almost immediately upon arrival.
The guest rooms are more like mini-apartments. I was surprised to find I had a complete kitchen, living area and incredible, spa-like bath adjacent to the master suite. There was even a washer and dryer—which I found extremely convenient for dealing with the clothing changes that occurred due to the classes and activities I participated in daily. These oversized rooms are small havens—mini-escapes with the added bonus of multiple balconies and clear views of the ocean.
While it was tempting to spend as much time in the room as possible, the other spaces on the property were calling my name from the instant I unpacked my bag. A quick read through some of the Canyon Ranch Miami Beach daily literature had me changed and headed out the door in a matter of minutes. Each day, the housekeeping service provided a complete list of the classes and events available the following day. Some of these remain the same, while others change daily. On an hourly basis, there’s some sort of health-related activity taking place somewhere at the resort. All of these are complimentary to guests, but attendance isn’t required.
I was extremely interested in experiencing as much as possible. The days started and ended with beach-side yoga classes. For gym-goers, the array of weight and resistance training sessions are a draw, while hard-core exercise enthusiasts may become addicted to the wet-and-dry boot camp on the beach or the boxing workouts. My mission was to focus more on the unusual, not-easily-found-in-Nashville programs—and there were multiple opportunities to do just that. Kinesis basics sessions (with a limit of four people per class) were amazing, and the Pilates instructors and equipment were state-of–the-art. At lunch, you can opt to dine while listening to a lecture by a nutritionist or health professional, and in the evenings, attend breathing and meditation gatherings in the gorgeous grove of palm trees.....
