mySpa: A Journey Back to Myself
The custom experience at mySpa may be created by the client, but the execution was far and away beyond what I had anticipated.
The 15,000 square foot spa, located in the heart the business district at the InterContinental Miami, encourages guests to design their own spa days. This tranquil, serene retreat opened its doors in the spring of 2008 and features 10 treatment rooms, a duet suite and a hydrotherapy suite that includes a unique Spa Jet Hydrocapsule. The Eucalyptus Steam room is beautiful and there is a cedar sauna, and a state- of- the- art Vichy shower (a humongous, dimly lit shower with jets of water streaming in every direction).
"She started by massaging my back, my limbs and then turned me over and applied oils of frankincense, ylang-ylang, and primrose."
The Fitness Studio is hi-tech, complete with Technogym and Precor cardio and strength training equipment. For the uninitiated, Technogym is a very effective, sleek line of equipment developed by the designer of Ferrari in Italy. While you stretch and firm and strengthen you can enjoy watching your personalized television screen and there is no need to worry if youve left your gym bag behind; mySpa offers complimentary workout clothing, running shoes, robes and sandals, for those enjoying spa treatments.
And the menu to choose from is very rich, from customized massages, facials and body treatments to nail treatments and couples experiences (great to share with your other half or a friend). Theres also a boutique so you can carry away some of the pleasure when you leave.
I was greeted with unusually warm hospitality when I arrived at mySpa. I asked the mySpa director, Laura Kain, what her secret was. She replied, I take great pride in my team, and we all work well together, because we want to be the best spa in Miami. She also said that being in such a beautiful environment helps each employee focus on providing a unique service to meet and cater to the needs of each guest. The key goal at mySpa is to find balance and harmony in both mind and body and to rediscover yourself.
mySpa was designed by the award-winning United Designers Ltd. of London. They selected a color palette that refers to the elements of earth, sky and water reflected in all aspects of the spa. I was fascinated by the bright, airy reception area and captivated by the setting of the spa haven set in natural rock, waterfalls, and subdued lighting. I already felt as if I escaped the outside world.
The staff is wonderfully pleasant and accommodating and genuinely eager to please. I couldnt wait to get started. My day began with myMassage, specifically tailored to fit my needs. I was first given a questionnaire to fill out which enables the therapist to determine what techniques to incorporate in the massage.
mySpa at InterContinental Miami – Waiting Lounge mySpa at InterContinental Miami – Steam Room
I was greeted by lead therapist Liz Cross, who escorted me to the cozy, dimly lit treatment room. The massage bed had luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, silky on the skin. She combined a few of her massage techniques, deep tissue being her specialty, to bring my body back to balance. Cross told me that she has compassion for the person that she is working on. She works with the persons individual ability, capability, and range of motion. This is why it is so extremely important to communicate your needs. She expressed concern with how I was feeling throughout the massage and wanted me to just let go! She told me that this was my special time, and I could be as selfish as I wanted to be how often do you hear that kind of permission?
Cross really loves what she does, and she transmits her good feeling to all of her guests. She said that the experience was as good for her as it was for me. She started by massaging my back, my limbs and then turned me over and applied oils of frankincense, ylang-ylang, and primrose. This was to promote the sense of sleep and graduate towards invigoration. Just what I needed! She also gave me tips on what to do to relieve stress. She escorted me back to the relaxation room where I sipped my green tea, (good antioxidant), among the cascading waterfalls.
The next step was a Saving Face facial, which is a facial to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and repairs sun damaged skin. It also improves the skin texture, tone, and clarity, as well as treating rosacea and acne. My aesthetician, Gloria Ricaurte, used skincare products from Somme Institute and True, both available in mySpas boutique. The five-step regime took me through the cleansing and exfoliation process up to the healing and protection of my skin. Ricaurte noted that Somme Institute skincare products use pharmaceutical grade ingredients in order to deliver and disperse essential vitamins to the deeper layers of the skin. My skin never looked so great. Bless you, Gloria!
As I finished up my facial, all renewed and invigorated by now, from head to toe, I wandered over to the pool area. I must say that it was quite a view. There is a 60-foot outdoor pool and a restaurant bar where you can enjoy a nice afternoon lunch and beverage over looking beautiful Biscayne Bay. It really is difficult to tear yourself away from this relaxed, nourishing environment.
mySpa offers a complete menu of traditional services with customized enhancements, so guests can truly enjoy their journey. A club membership is also available and very tempting.
Now, reluctantly, back to the real world!
For more information visit www.visitmyspa.com.
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