Poolside Paradise ~ The Standard Miami Hotel & Spa
Christo Rein, the Well Being Supervisor, met me on the third floor for my special tour. In conversation, Christo clarified that the Standard Hotel & Spa is not a spa within a hotel but rather a hotel within a spa; the entire grounds offer an ultimate spa experience. When the tour was over, I carried on to my much-anticipated treatment, the signature Standard Scrub.
Walking the long hallway lined with cedar strips, I had the sense of being pulled into the doorway at the end of the hall. This optical illusion was leading me to the entrance to the hamam, a Turkish term used to describe a heated communal bathing area.
As I entered the hamam, an aroma of eucalyptus and warm, moist air enveloped my body. Before me was a Coliseum-style sanctuary with three levels of heated marble where soon I would be draping my own body. To my left and right were small rooms offering various sensations for your entire body: the Aroma Steam Room, Scrub Room, Cedar Sauna and, of course, the Wall of Sound Shower.
With my treatment about to begin, I was graciously greeted by my massage therapist, who guided me to my bed created upon the marble. As warm water flowed down the back of my body from a large basin, I could feel the warmth of the marble penetrating my muscles. A soft, creamy scrub was massaged into my skin from head to toe, sending me into a euphoric trance. This journey would come to an end, I knew, but the sensation would be long-lasting.
As I gently awoke to a state of relaxation, I ventured outdoors to enjoy the midday sun poolside. Wandering along a path beneath a canopy of tropical vegetation, I observed the flowing movement of the garden swings; there was an enclave of sorts in the middle of the gardens. Detouring through this tantalizing maze, I paused to breathe deep and caught a subtle whiff of jasmine. I returned through the gates to the pool deck and found myself a perch overlooking turquoise Biscayne Bay. I spent the balance of my afternoon lounging in the saltwater pool and watching dolphins swim in the bay.
When leaving the Standard Hotel & Spa, I reflected on my day of bliss, an exhilarating trance that could not be easily replicated. The spa’s unique natural setting allowed me for a moment in time to step into the Garden of Eden.
The Standard Miami Hotel & Spa
~ Crystal Carson, Spas of America. Crystal Carson is a Vancouver-based fashion stylist, and Fashion Editor at Vancouver View Magazine.
