Canyon Ranch: Where Miami’s Hautest Get Healthy

For nearly three decades, Canyon Ranch has been the world’s premier health and wellness destination, celebrated for its integrative treatments, incredible facilities and signature gourmet food. In the lap of our high-energy city, the hautest in Miami flock to this beachfront oasis of tranquility featuring a lavish spa and body treatments, world-class fitness facility, unparalleled outdoor recreation, renowned wellness experts and restaurants. This isn’t just where the stars hide out after plastic surgery; at Canyon Ranch, health is at the forefront as a true haven for the elite in Miami’s body, mind and spirit. After a couple days at the hotel, I returned home invigorated and relaxed. Here’s my take on the nation’s first luxury boutique hotel dedicated to wellness.

Upon entering the property, you are met with stunning scenery including 750 feet of pristine beach, with walking and biking trailing running right past the door. The project is built on a six-acre oceanfront site in the former Carillon Hotel on Miami Beach, which has been restored and preserved as part of the development. From the serene meditation areas to the gorgeous beach views, you know immediately you’re about to immerse yourself in an exhilarating, all-healthy, change-your-life experience.

When I entered my suite, I immediately saw why celebs turn to Canyon Ranch when they want to retreat. Hotel suites include stunning views of the ocean from the balcony, richly fixtured bathrooms featuring Italian glass tile mosaics complete with a deep soaking tub, luxurious shower and imported stone flooring, a kitchen with granite counters and Sub-Zero Kitchen Aid and Miele appliances, and relaxed and spacious living areas with dual large flat panel entertainment systems.

Whether you have a specific medical concern or just want to experience healthy living for a weekend, you’ll find the perfect balance of physical activity, leisure time and workshops tailored to your interests at the Canyon Ranch wellness center. The center offers health and wellness services that include private consultations, workshops and lectures in disease prevention, weight loss, stress reduction and smoking cessation, along with healthy cooking classes, nutrition consultations and an amazing lineup of classes. My favorite class was “Rockwall Basics” with Jeff Richards where I learned the basics for climbing the rock wall, exercises to become stronger on the wall and the safety measures taken to ensure a safe climb to the top (which was important considering my instincts were to ONLY use my arms while climbing).

The fitness facility offers breathtaking ocean views from its weight training area, rock climbing wall, Pilates, yoga and aerobics studios and the most modern cardio technology and equipment available.

Canyon Ranch also has a partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, establishing a new model for care and prevention. In the unhurried, stress-free environment of Canyon Ranch, your health can be thoroughly evaluated by a team of physicians, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, life management professionals and other wellness experts. As you explore your full wellness potential, you can relax, play and find all the inspiration you need for a healthier, more vital future.

And the spaaaaaah…54 treatment rooms serenely reflect the massage, body and skin treatments performed within. Each wet treatment room is uniquely appointed with design elements for a unique experience. There are spacious men’s and women’s private dressing rooms and relaxation lounges. The spa includes signature Canyon Ranch body treatments; therapeutic massages and bodywork; mud, salt, aromatherapy, seaweed and Ayurvedic treatments; facials; full-body cocoons and scrubs. While there, I experienced one heck of a facial with unbelievable massage and an acupuncture treatment enough to calm a deploying solider. Jim Rohr, Chinese Medicine Practitioner (and major hunk) tailors the acupuncture treatment to your specific health needs and educates on the unlimited possibilities of natural remedies.

The highlight of the wellness center, hands down, is the luxurious European-inspired Aquavana thermal spa facility. Featuring a Finnish sauna, hydro spa, herbal sauna, crystal steam room, ice igloo, reflexology basins, heated lounges and experiential shower-cabins. For thousands of years, people have found that water movement and temperature variations provide relief to muscle and joint problems and create a higher sense of relaxation. Warm up, cool down and rinse away all the stress after a long workout or spa treatment at Aquavana.

And it’s not just indoor serenity. 750 linear feet of unspoiled oceanfront beach and four infinity pools with personal cabanas are available for fitness or relaxation. Common areas are on hand for play, sports and relaxation and walking and biking paths can be found along the beach.

When you’re hungry, Canyon Ranch offers nourishing cuisine filled with bright, focused and vibrant flavors with multiple textures, visual appeal, enticing aromas and superior nutritional value. Their unique food experience feature clean, wholesome, seasonal and fresh ingredients with an emphasis on local, organic and sustainable farming and fishing methods. Less than an hour away in Homestead, lies Paradise Farms, a lush, five-acre organic farm owned by renowned grower Gabrielle Marewski. Many of the delicious, oh-so-fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs enjoyed at Canyon Ranch come from her farm. As someone with a gluten intolerance, I was especially appreciative of their attentive accommodations to those with food allergies and dietary limitations. This is food you can feel good about eating.

Dining at Canyon Ranch includes several exquisitely designed dining venues that are layered into the project, including an oceanfront restaurant, a café and a unique energy juice bar at the spa level. Canyon Ranch Grill with its oceanfront terrace, tapas dining room and exposition kitchen serves the highly acclaimed Canyon Ranch cuisine with a menu designed to excite the palate and nourish the soul. While at Canyon Ranch Grill for dinner, I had the Rosemary Roasted Black Cod (rosemary fingerling potatoes, wild mushroom, hunter sauce and roasted rapini) which was excellent paired with the Calera Pinot Noir. The Carillon Café and tasting room is an intimate social gathering space to relax, celebrate the day and sample flights of foods and beverages with deep flavors and intensities. I met up with a couple friends there and enjoyed the Purple Pillow (house-infused lavender vodka, blueberries and lime) which has quickly become my favorite cocktail. My friends ordered the Bloody Mary (rain organic vodka, house made Bloody Mary mix and pickled vegetables) and the Lychee Martini (rain organic vodka, lychee puree, fresh citrus juices, Cava Brut Sparkling Wine) much to their liking. For the ultimate power breakfast, I recommend ordering the Power Smoothie (pineapple, banana, strawberry, yogurt and hemp protein powder) and gluten-free french toast to your room.

At Canyon Beach Miami Beach, stunning scenery, everyday luxuries and tempting cuisine that you would expect at a world-class vacation destination await you. What sets Canyon Ranch apart are the vast fitness and wellness activities and renowned medical and health experts who can turn a fabulous vacation into a life-enhancing adventure. And before you depart, make sure you pick up the Canyon Ranch cookbook, Canyon Ranch: Nourish. Featuring indulgently healthy cuisine featuring more than 200 delicious and nutritious recipes so you can bring the Canyon Ranch experience home.

Canyon Ranch Miami Beach is located at 6801 Collins Ave.; 888.987.9876; http://www.canyonranchmiamibeach.com/