The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne in Key Biscayne, Florida
Julie Register visited this resort spa in Florida in March 2003

I had a chance to enjoy The Spa at Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne on a recent trip to Miami. With 20,000 square feet, 21 treatment rooms, retail area and over 60 health and beauty treatments, it's a spacious and comprehensive resort spa. The interior of the spa is intended to evoke the feeling of a West Indies Colonial sugar plantation manor house with floor-to-ceiling windows, warm colors, soft lighting, cane and mahogany woods and iron grillwork. The treatment rooms include five facial rooms, a couples suite, a hydrotherapy suite and a deluxe suite called the "Aquarian" that includes an Aquarian tub, Vichy shower / massage treatment area. 

I was scheduled to have a 75-minute Mango Raw Sugar Body Scrub, a botanical body treatment designed for The Spa by Cactus and Ivy. I checked in at the reception desk and was escorted down a long hall to the Women's Changing Area. I was given a locker, robe and sandals and left to enjoy the wet area's sauna and whirlpool before my treatment. When I was done, I moved to the Women's Waiting Area and helped myself to a cup of hot tea at the refreshment center. Jessie, my therapist, came to collect me and led me to the "Aquarian," a large suite with subdued light that contained a private whirlpool and treatment table under a Vichy shower. Jessie asked me to change into paper panties and bra then get on the table while she stepped out of the room. I got settled, and Jessie returned. She rubbed a fruity mixture of mango, papaya, raw sugar, and spices all over my body. The raw sugar provided a vigorous exfoliation and the enzymes in the mango and papaya also helped expose and nourish new skin. This was followed by a sticky wrap of mango, honey and coconut. A Vichy rain shower rinsed everything off and exposed my fresh, smooth skin. The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne calls this treatment "the ultimate tropical cocktail." I'll second that! I slowly reemerged from the spa and headed over to The Sandbar Grill, the hotel's pool and beach cafe, where I had a healthy lunch. 

The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne offers a number of other delicious-sounding signature spa treatments using botanicals such as bay rum, coconut, mango, honey, lime, gardenia and tuberose from South Florida and the Caribbean:

     - Key Lime Coconut Body Scrub and Soak
     - Everglades Grass Body Wrap
     - Rum Molasses Waterfall
     - Coffee Mocha Scrub
     - Gardenia Botanical Salt Glow
     - Vitamin A, C & E

All of these treatments are designed to offer the lasting results and benefits of replenishing, re-nourishing and restoring the skin's natural beauty and combating the dehydrating effects of the sun. In addition, The Spa offers:

Hydrotherapy

     - Coconut Milk Bath
     - Key Lime Fizz
     - Mango Soak
     - Sea Water Therapy
     - Vichy Rain Massage

Massage Therapy

     - The Ritz-Carlton Massage
     - Couples Massage
     - Reflexology
     - Deep Tissue Massage
     - Sports Massage
     - Neuromuscular Therapy
     - Shiatsu
     - "Nuad Bo-Rarn" Thai Massage
     - Hot Stone Therapy
     - Pre-Natal Massage
     - Tension-Relief Massage 

Skin Care Treatments

     - The Ritz-Carlton Facial
     - Chantecaille Fresh Flower Facial
     - Alpha-Beta (peel)
     - Calming Facial
     - Deluxe Sea & C Facial
     - Gentlemen's Hot Towel Facial
     - Refresher Facial
     - Collagen Infusion Enhancement
     - Eye Contour Therapy
     - Facial Elixers (Lifting, Green Tea, Hydra-Plus, or Mineral)

More

     - Hair services
     - Nails, Hands and Feet treatments
     - Bronzing
     - Eyelash & Eyebrow treatment
     - Make-Up Application
     - Hair Removal

A 20% service charge is added for each spa service received. 

The Fitness Center offers extensive weight and exercise equipment and a motion studio for Spinning and other classes. Physical Fitness Evaluation and Full Comprehensive Analysis; Personal Training; Personal Pilates/Thai Chi/Yoga sessions; Nutritional Counseling; Posture Alignment Therapy Program; Energy and Weight Loss Nutritional Programming; Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and Diabetes Menu; Wellness Evaluation Complete Package and various clinics and workshops are offered. Group sessions include Sunrise, Sunset and Hatha Yoga; Sunrise, Sunset and daytime Tai Chi; Authentic Mat Pilates; Simply Cardio; Circuit/Interval Training; Body Sculpting; "Express" Abs; Spinning; Aquatic Kickboxing; Aquatic Power Hour; Cardio Kickboxing; Atlantic Walk; Power Walk; Yoga Stretch and Relaxation; BALListics; Running Camp; Beach Fit Camp. Many classes are held in the motion studio and some are held an expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The benefits of the spa extend beyond the walls of the treatment rooms. The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne offers "poolside tanning massage samplers" with certified massage therapists applying 100% natural, made-in-Florida sunscreen to hard-to-reach shoulder and upper back areas - combining SPF 30 sun protection with a mini-massage. Cold scented hand towels and cool water mists soothe the skin under the hot sun. A Pool Concierge is available to track down a favorite CD, locate a best-selling novel or make dinner reservations.

The oceanfront Ritz Kids pavilion with an oceanfront playground and private children's pool is a great place to drop of the children (ages 5-12) while Mom and Dad enjoy the spa and other recreational activities at the resort. Parents can relax with massages, facials and body treatments. Kids can enjoy activities such as beach relays, shell finding, art classes and pirate treasure hunts for full or half days. Parents of Ritz Kids participants are given waterproof pagers for the day (not to be turned on in the spa, I would guess).