Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami.
There's the rub: Miami Spa Month
By Kathryn Wexler
The first annual Miami Spa event has arrived just in time for the don't-call-it-a-recession recession. The month-long July event, which has now been extended through August 31, features 20 local spas offering $99 treatments valued at twice that or more. Almost all the spas are set in the biggest hotels, including The Setai, Ritz-Carltons, Mandarin Oriental and Fairmont Turnberry Isle.
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau modeled Miami Spa after its successful Miami Spice program, now in its seventh year. Locals will find plenty to entice them to trade a day of sitting at a desk for one spent reclining, slathered in oil. The customized deals often combine more than one service. Aquanox at Trump International Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, for instance, is featuring an aromatherapy massage followed by an express facial. One of the packages at the Spa at The Shore Club, in South Beach, is a multigrain scrub and full body massage.
As soon as word of Miami Spa began to spread, customers began making appointments. "We are really booking like crazy for the month of July -- it works like magic," Nika Rabova, manager for Jurlique spa at the Mayfair Hotel and Spa in Coconut Grove, said last week. At Jurlique, the special includes a foot bath, 30-minute aromatherapy massage, mojito sugar body scrub and Vichy shower.
In the highly competitive spa industry, some Miami Spa participants are hoping the program lands them on the radar of locals as much as tourists. "We're doing it to get exposure for our spa for people who aren't sure if they want to spend money on spa," said Victoria Korytova, manager of Spa V at Hotel Victor in South Beach. The spa is offering a Hamam and 30-minute massage, which usually costs $245.
But at $99, are the spas making much profit? "Not necessarily," Rabova said. "But really, it isn't about that at this time. It's about building awareness."
Miami Spa participants
Aquagene Spa, Doubletree Ocean Point Resort & Spa
Aquanox, Trump International Beach Resort-Miami
The Boutique Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
Guerlain Spa, The Regent Bal Harbour
Jurlique Spa, Mayfair Hotel and Spa
Le Spa, Le Meridien Sunny Isles Beach
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Key Biscayne
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach
Spa Chakra, Conrad Miami
The Spa at Doral, Doral Golf Resort and Spa
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental
The Spa at The Setai
The Spa at Shula's Hotel & Golf Club
Spa Terre, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa
Willow Stream Spa, The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club
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Thanks for the info. As a local i sometimes have to be reminded of where I live and how fabulous it is to be here. And gosh darnit i deserve a spa day
Posted by: IngridB on Fri, 2008-09-12 08:03