Florida’s resort spas: the back story

Florida’s grand resorts have turned their spas into destinations of their own: a Moorish palace in Boca Raton, garden-to-treatment rooms in Orlando, rooftop terraces on the Gulf and oceanfront rooms on Amelia Island. Some are open to all, some only to resort guests, so check before you plan a day around one.

The Palm Beaches

The Spa at The Breakers is an indoor-outdoor spa beside the ocean. In Boca Raton, Spa Palmera fills 50,000 square feet with mosaics, arches and a courtyard garden inspired by Spain’s Alhambra Palace, with 44 treatment rooms; it is open only to resort guests and members.

Orlando

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes has a 40,000-square-foot spa whose treatments use herbs from the resort’s organic garden and honey from its own bees. Waldorf Astoria Orlando builds its menu around Tupelo honey and has a Himalayan salt room, and at Four Seasons Resort Orlando a longer treatment brings access to the adults-only Oasis pool.

The Gulf coast

Spa Oceana at The Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach has 16 treatment rooms and a rooftop terrace over the Gulf. In downtown Sarasota, the reimagined Ritz-Carlton Spa takes its art and design from the coast’s natural landscapes.

The Historic Coast

South of Jacksonville, The Spa at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club offers more than 100 services and welcomes visitors as well as guests. On Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton’s reimagined spa looks out to the ocean.

Spa Palmera at The Boca Raton covers 50,000 square feet, inspired by Spain’s Alhambra (The Boca Raton).

Booking

Appointments are required almost everywhere, and weekends fill first, especially in the winter season. Ask when you book whether pools and lounges are included: at several resorts the main pools are for hotel guests only.

Our advice: after a run of park days in Orlando, book a morning treatment and stay for lunch by the spa pool.