MIAMI: FAMILY VACATION AT DORAL RESORT & SPA
by Kate Pocock
When I first suggested a family spa vacation to my two boys, aged 23 and 21, their reaction was swift. "No way, not me," my eldest piped up. "I'm not going to wander around half naked in a towel or robe." But my younger, more reflective son was interested. "Sure," he said. "I'm game." So we grabbed my 20-year-old daughter who was keen from the start, and jetted off to Miami for our first family spa holiday.
I had chosen the Doral Golf Resort and Spa, a tropical 650-acre oasis of water parks, championship golf courses and tennis courts. The spa, contained in its own building, had recently lowered the minimum age for some treatments to 14. They welcomed young people, and even better, had been declared among the top ten spas in the world by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. They had recently been voted Best Mega Spa by readers of SpaFinder magazine. This newly-christened Marriott property also provided a virtual water world of cascading waterfalls, plunge pools, waterslides and re-created beach should the heat either in or outside the spa become too intense.
On the way up the steps to the Mediterranean-style spa, past the stone statues and fountains, as Dustin dripped water from a pair of swim trunks under his robe, he asked THE question. The same question that, no doubt, all first-time male spa goers ask- no matter what age. "Uh mom, for my massage, should I be wearing anything under my robe?" Hmm, this was a tough one. "Do you sleep in anything -like pajamas?" I asked. "No," he said. "Well then, don't wear anything. You'll be more relaxed," I suggested. "Don't worry," I reassured as I saw his quizzical look. "They'll be very professional."
There were other reasons for bringing my two grown children to this Miami-based spa palace. Just a short taxi ride away was one of the wildest, coolest neighbourhood they might ever encounter - South Beach, the southern end of Miami Beach where anything goes. Just like them, residents could stay awake all night and did, regularly. Cars "vroomed" past the Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive looking for club action. Girls wearing cowboy hats, bikini tops and holsters filled with gin bottles offered shots. Along the boardwalk, surfers and evangelists mingled with guys in feather boas and matrons in leopard skin carrying lap dogs. It was a scene that we could explore together. Not exactly the quality family time recommended by parenting magazines, but memorable nonetheless.
With over 100 spa treatments and services, from Total Body Fango to Thai Massage and Tarot readings, it was difficult to choose treatments. Dustin went for traditional Swedish Massage, Natalie chose Stone Therapy, where heated stones were placed on Chakra points and between her toes. As for me, I opted for the De-Stress Aromatherapy Massage. Aromatic essential oils would calm the mind and body. Essential indeed - for a working mom. Dressed in our plush terry robes, we set out to explore the facilities.
As a male, Dustin was not alone. About 25 to 30 percent of clients were men. One could see them in and out of their robes -by the pool, in the spa gym, under the waterfalls or setting off for the nude sundeck upstairs. (Women had their own deck in the female zone). There was even one treatment for golfers who flocked to the resort for PGA Championships. The Blue Monster Massage is a revitalizing 80-minute sports massage intended to reduce muscle soreness in the entire body. Yes, this was a good place for a young man's first spa experience.
"People come from all over," said Nora as she rubbed oil into my hair and neck and replaced heated towels. "Many, even Americans who live nearby, find out about us at the European spas when they are travelling." After a rigorous massage and a wash off in yet another whirlpool, I was a new person. "Nice," said Natalie emerging from her hot rock treatment simply glowing. "Great," declared Dustin. No problems. His masseur had used towels to cover up throughout.
In between swims around the property, rides in a bicycle surrey around the golf course and lying poolside in filtered sun under the trees, we headed to South Beach to people gaze and watch surfers take their last waves in the evening light. We toasted our spa holiday with Retro-Tini martinis and Oreo and mint ice cream sundaes alongside the beautiful people in cut-out dresses and Go-Go boots. But despite this changing film scene, my two appreciated the more natural delights of Miami - from the sunset at the beach to the natural grass floor growing at Tantra restaurant.
Checking out after two days of spa-ing, Dustin pointed to a large sign in the lobby advertising a sister property. "Hey mom, look," he said, "This place was voted best family island vacation. Next time, let's go here." We all peered at the photo of a castle-like hotel as my son added enthusiastically, "and it has a spa too!"
For more information on the Doral Golf Resort & Spa go to www.doralresort.com or call 800-713-6725.
For Miami info, contact Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-933-8448 or visit www.miamiandbeaches.com
For tips on how to select the perfect spa getaway click here
Kate Pocock is a Toronto-based travel writer, author and editor of www.familytravelink.com
