Spa Places in the News
Spa
101: Essentials of the Spa Experience
Intimate New Oceanfront Spa To Offer
Laidback Luxury
Opening to the public on March
1, Spa 101 at the Hilton Bentley Hotel on South Beach promises to invite visitors
to learn more about the fundamentals of relaxation and healing. In a beautiful
new spa and lounge that takes its cues from Asian culture, minus the pretense
and pompous rituals, owner Iris Van de Coevering has created an alternative experience
on a peaceful, sun swept perch at the tip of South Beach. The stunning and compact
new facility overlooks the ocean from its two level terrace on the fourth floor
of the luxury boutique hotel. A welcoming and friendly sanctuary, Spa 101 features
high quality organic products, and treatments that reflect the heart and soul
of Asia, with techniques that the glamorous yet down to earth Iris perfected while
studying at The Royal Palace in Thailand and operating a spa in Bali.
“I
wanted to bring to Miami the essence of the Asian spa experience that I was lucky
enough to discover during my time in Bali. Skin care and massage are aspects of
everyday life there – not some intimidating, exclusive event. At Spa 101,
my goal is to foster a loving, nurturing environment where people feel comfortable
dropping in and enjoying a tea infusion, perhaps a scalp treatment, then relax
in the Jacuzzi – almost a spa equivalent of the classic French café.
One of the things I loved most about real Asian spas was the integrated social
milieu. I’ve set out to recreate that culture at Spa 101, with opportunities
to relax, socialize, veg out while enjoying unique healing and restorative treatments.”
The hand-picked staff, all trained by Van de Coevering, share
her commitment to personalized treatments that engage all of the senses with a
more in-depth, enjoyable approach. All services include an element of massage,
superior organic products and tailored to each individual for a blissfully personal
experience.
Premier spa services range from $35 for the Foot
Spa – a luxury 50 minute pedicure that includes full pedicure, scrub and
foot massage; to $70 for a heavenly head massage with hair treatment; to $140
for a full body signature massage, either in a private treatment room or outdoor
cabana. Other services offered include customized facials, and signature manicure
with scrub and massage. With special touches like offering a relaxing foot massage
to gentlemen who are waiting for their female partners’ nails to dry, its
evident that Van de Coevering wants everyone to feel welcome and pampered.
Spa
101 also provides modern skin lifting facial massages, courtesy of new state of
the art lymphatic drainage and micro current equipment that reduces puffiness
and wrinkles. For the ultimate package – guests can enjoy a massage, custom
facial and aroma sauna experience as well as a spicy infused tea served while
recuperating in the Jacuzzi. Additionally, Spa 101 offers services perfectly suited
for Miami – before a day at the beach, guests are urged to stop in for a
professional sun block application -- those who’ve forgotten to prepare for
the day, can stop by after for the “Cool Down” – a healing after
sun body treatment, while guests short on time can explore a variety of “Express
Services.”
Spa 101 carries the Eminence Organic Skin
Care line of European beauty essentials; fruity, almost good enough to eat products
that also happen to be incredibly beneficial – with plant based ingredients
so fresh that actual seeds, pulp and peels are visible. Delicious products include
mandarin grapefruit body butter and sugar plum soufflé massage creams,
pear and green apple masque, cranberry pomegranate and cucumber mint sugar scrubs,
chocolate truffle body wrap, and countless other scrumptious, rejuvenating goodies,
which are all adapted to each client’s needs.
Van de
Coevering’s creative background as an art director with Harper’s Bazaar,
Vogue and GQ is apparent in the attention to detail that she poured into designing
Spa 101. The serene indoor area occupies about 700 square feet and features rich
wood paneled walls, two private treatment rooms and a central treatment area for
signature nail treatments. Outdoors, a spacious wood decked terrace solarium features
a soothing central fountain, comfortable furniture for lounging and an enticing
Jacuzzi. Spa 101 visitors can also enjoy the saunas, showers and the Hilton Bentley
gym, also located on the fourth floor. A spa menu will be offered, featuring cuisine
from chef Gaetano Ascione of Gaia, the hotel’s ground floor dining destination.
Spa 101 is located at 101 Ocean Drive on the fourth floor
of the Hilton Bentley and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Currently,
the spa is open for guests of the hotel, and will open to the general public on
March 1. To book a treatment, please call 786-879-5433; full menu of services
available on line at www.spa101ocean.com.
Images and menu available upon request.
