Monday, October 28, 2013

Great Weekend Getaway: Canyon Ranch, Miami Beach, FL


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Canyon Ranch Resort and Spa, Miami, Beach, FL

When you first step into Canyon Ranch Miami, you get a sense of the great customer service at this hotel.  Everyone from the bellman to the reception desk was very attentive and inviting.  Once you are here for a day or so, you realize that this hotel is going to make you feel great both inside and out.  It is truly a place to come if you want to relax and renew your energy and overall well being.

View from our Balcony
At check in,  you are handed a lanyard with your room key on it.  This also serves as your spa locker key and your pass to go up and down the elevator.  You are also handed a massive weekly schedule of all the complimentary classes they have at the spa.  Every day, there are about 50 classes you can attend, from QiGong to Ballet, Dance classes to Water Aerobics.  Classes are designed for different levels.  I participated in a Meditation Class and Yoga Class.  My husband did a Rock Climbing Class (they have a very nice rock wall) and Core Training Class.   Every class we attended was superb. The instructors were very knowledgeable and energetic.  They offer family classes and children only classes as well.  The recommended age for the children’s classes is between 5 and 13.

Canyon ranch is an all-suite hotel, which means you get a nice size kitchen, an ample bedroom, bath and living space.  We were in a one-bedroom suite (number 608) that had two balconies.  There was a sun deck outside our living area with two chaise lounges and another deck off our bedroom with two chairs.  We could see the ocean well although we were not Oceanfront.  The hotel offers a two-bedroom suite as well, which would be ideal for families.
Our Balcony

Canyon Ranch also offers health classes on nutrition and exercise.  I participated in a Dexa Scan with one of the resident Senior Exercise Physiologists and got great information on how I should be exercising as well as how much I should be eating to stay in healthy ranges of body fat, muscle, etc.  I was very excited to get scientific data on this and to start my new exercise routine, so if anything, you can come away from Canyon Ranch feeling renewed and excited about exercising.

The food was great!  The fruits and vegetables were organic, the beef was grass fed.  The portions were good and we always were full, even with healthier eating.  This also gave me some ideas of what I should be eating at home.  We had an all-inclusive meal plan, so we would get whatever we wanted (including their great smoothies offered at the spa) and we didn’t have to worry about the price.  As an example of pricing, the continental breakfast buffet was $22 per adult.  Most entrees at dinner were between $12-$20.  The hotel also offered pool and beach service so you could relax and enjoy your lunch/dinner and drinks on the beach or poolside.  All of this was included in our meal plan.  If you do not opt for the meal plan, there is a Publix grocery store right across the street.
Dessert at Canyon Ranch Restaurant

The hotel also offered complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas.  One of the employees would even set up your beach chair and towels for you.  It was very nice.  The beach was great as well and the ocean was very shallow which would be nice for kids.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend the Canyon Ranch Miami if you are looking for a relaxing get away.  It would ideal for a Girlfriends’ Getaway.  It is far enough from South Beach that you won’t get caught up in the craziness of that area, but it is just a quick cab ride away from South Beach if you do want a night out on the town.  It is also very conveniently located close to the Miami Airport.