Today I have a guest post from travel blogger, foodie, new friend, and South Florida resident, Katherine Lynch. Katherine and I had the chance to meet in Miami last month, and I loved hearing about all the great good choices in that area.
—
I keep hearing it over again – relaxation is what your body needs. Nourishment, renewal and balance are so important, yet I often put them on the end of my list 
of things to do. It’s almost like a need to force myself to do those things. When it’s time to focus on some self-love, it’s time for me to book a weekend (or week) at the Canyon Ranch.
Canyon Ranch originated in Tucson, Arizona in 1979 and has since expanded to Massachusetts (in 1989) and Miami Beach (in 2008). These properties have set the standards for health spas worldwide. If you are looking just for a hotel, you’ve come to the wrong place as your stay at any of the properties will be an all-encompassing experience: the spa, daily fitness activities, outdoor pool, full time physician and wellness specialists, gathering spaces and in-house restaurants will all add to your experience. I’d say they are the focal point here with the hotel suites more of a side note.
The evening I arrived at Canyon Ranch was a night of chaos in Miami. The roof of the Fontainebleau had collapsed just down the street so I couldn’t have asked for a better night to have escaped from it all. From the moment you enter the door, relaxation is in order. There’s no waiting in line at the check-in counter, but rather you sit down to make sure everything is in order. You soon receive your itinerary for your stay, a list of classes offered during your time there (and there are hundreds), a glass of refreshing Hibiscus tea and go over any dietary restrictions you might have. They are here to nourish your whole body and nothing is left out.
It’s time to hand over anything that reminds you of work (cell phones are banned in most area) as relaxation is a must.
The Spa
The center of activity should lie in the spa at Canyon Ranch. This 70,000 square-foot oasis combines all you need for a spa, wellness and fitness. What better location can you ask for than being situated on the Atlantic Ocean! Be sure to devote time each day to spend in the Aquavana. This thermal facility brings hot and cold sensations to you in a multi-sensory experience – an herbal sauna, hydro spa, Finnish sauna, crystal steam room, ice igloo, experiential shower-cabins (Atlantic Storm turned Polar Mist turned Caribbean Monsoon), your senses will be awakened. There are 54 treatment rooms on site, a men and women’s locker room and body treatments that are plentiful. Indulge in a signature treatment or head next door to the salon where even the manicures and pedicures use only vegan products.
The Fitness Center
Filled with state-of-the-art cardio, weight and strength-training equipment you will work with your personal trainer to reach your goals. There’s absolutely no cheating here as you are given a key that documents the number of reps, the amount of weight lifted and keeps a log of your workout history. All guests receive access to a list of complimentary classes ranging from a walk on the beach to Buff Ballet Booty to Kinesis Basics.
The Suites
All rooms are luxury suites here at this property equipped with a spacious living area (720 square feet to 1,200 square feet), large flat panel entertainment systems, fully equipped kitchens, high-speed internet access, plush robes and slippers, 400-thread count lines and a daily newspaper. And, don’t forget the gorgeous oceanfront views.
Restaurants
As someone who covers restaurants often, the dining experience is the center of my hotel experience and I believe that the Canyon Ranch Grill lived up to my expectations. It fits into the mode of healthful eating, provides all the nutritional information of the food on the menu, offers classes on how to create a healthy diet and bring it with you and still delivers a flavorful cuisine that all led to a memorable dining experience. The stuffed spicy poblano peppers with goat cheese and shrimp were extraordinary, but you can find my entire review here. It’s important to note that the Miami location is the only property that serves alcohol, and while they do, everything is organic and biodynamic. In addition to the main restaurant, they do have EeZz’s Juice Bar (a smoothie bar), The Cabana (their poolside dining experience) and the Carillion Cafe where tea, wine and cheese are served.
What I truly loved about the Canyon Ranch was that everyone that I met on-site was passionate about this property. From the concierge to the waitstaff to the receptionist at the salon, I could tell everyone loved what they did at the Canyon Ranch and it was evident in the aura I felt walking around the resort. This is a rare find in properties in Miami, but one that I could easily get used to.
Next time I feel the overload of my everyday workload and need to break away, this is the perfect escape.
The Canyon Ranch is located at 6801 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. For reservations, call 305-514-7474.
Today’s guest post comes to us today from Katherine Lynch, travel writer at The South Florida Traveler for PlanetEye. When she’s not exploring new destinations, you will find Katherine exploring South Florida Restaurants at Dine Magazine , enjoying a glass of wine or planning wine and food events in South Florida.
Photo credits: courtesy of Canyon Ranch Miami Beach
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Google
Flickr