No need to leave Miami in search of five-star spa treatments. The area Ritz-Carltons have got you covered…in everything from algae and oils to suntan lotion and S-Solutions.

By Stephanie Wilson

In an area where luxury abounds, two resorts stand out, not only because of the prestige their name brings or their history, but also due to the standard of service that is expected at a Ritz-Carlton. As Miami continues to brim over with five-star brands, the area Ritz-Carltons have responded to this trend by enhancing their services and offerings to stay one step ahead of the game, all without compromising the timeless, classic elegance that is expected of the revered institution.

This elegance is apparent in every detail of the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, the only AAA Five Diamond resort in the tri-county area. Located minutes from downtown Miami, the RCKB is an oasis of serenity. The 402-room hotel sits on 12 acres of oceanfront paradise in a picturesque locale. In fact, legend has it that in 1513, Ponce de León explored this very property in his unending quest for the Fountain of Youth.

Had Ponce de León been searching today, he might have discovered the fountain in the property’s spa. The 20,000-square-foot space is a retreat from the ordinary, infused with mango-scented candles that further enhance the tropical ambiance. One can opt for an oceanfront massage, or, just steps from the sand, the spa is a haven of respite, complete with a swirling whirlpool, steam rooms, and saunas, alongside 21 treatment rooms and a wellness center, fitness center, and full-service salon. The extraordinary treatments reflect both the oceanfront locale with detoxifying seawater baths and algae wraps, and the area history through the Legend package, which entails an Age Zone Treatment and a Vie Age Concept Exfoliating Massage. The anti-aging and hydrating affects of the facial, combined with the massage that uses Lomi Lomi technique, lymph drainage massage, shiatsu pressure points, and African Reflexology, allow guests to emerge from the sanctuary revitalized and refreshed, as one would expect after visiting the fountain of youth.

Located only 20 minutes from RCKB but a world away in spirit, the Ritz-Carlton South Beach offers an entirely different setting. While keeping with the Ritz-Carlton tradition of flawless service, the property is infused with the sexiness of South Beach. This resort is not only home to the world’s only “tanning butler”-a gentleman who roams the pool to ensure those hard-to-reach places are effectively oiled-but also to South Beach’s only oceanfront restaurant, DiLido Beach Club. The establishment’s Mediterranean “sun cuisine” is perfectly complimented by their signature sangria and happy hour hookahs.

In a decadent environment like South Beach, sometimes a little detox is needed after an evening spent indulging in the Ritz’s best offerings. The night can be balanced with detoxifying spa therapies in the largest and only Mobil Four-Star Spa on Miami Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Spa South Beach, featuring La Maison de Beauté Carita.

During the SoBe Detox Experience, clients will begin with a Juniper bath containing purifying and cleansing properties, followed by a Dead Sea Mineral Cocoon to exfoliate and pamper, and a Raindrop Technique Massage, during which 11 different essential oils are dropped like rain along the spine. The combination of these treatments will continue to help purge the body of toxins that are likely to be ingested during a night on the town for up to one week.

After cleansing the body, it’s best to dive back into the local culture headfirst. For those about to take a dip in the ocean in a Brazilian-cut bikini, get your bum beach-ready with the S-Solutions’ Divine Derriere Treatment, a fanny facial that tightens, firms, and smoothes the skin. This treatment is yet another testament to the fact that, despite being housed in a 1950 architectural gem, this is not your parent’s Ritz-Carlton.